Dec
2012
Faking photo canvases.
I’ve been wanting some large photo canvases for the wall above our TV for, I don’t know, ever. Practically since we moved in. It’s been close to four years since buying this home, and the big wall behind our TV has set blank all this time. I had a really tough time justifying spending something like $30 a PIECE on the canvases I wanted…when I wanted at least 8 of them.
My friend takes amazing pictures of our family, and it’s always bummed me out that I’ve never been able to appropriately display them. So one day, I decided I was going to figure out how to fake a photo canvas once and for all. I rummaged around the garage and found some large pieces of leftover MDF from our laundry riser project. I believe it’s 3/4″ thick MDF, and I asked Tim to cut me 8 12×12″ boards using this leftover wood. I knew I could get 12×12 prints at Costco for $2.99 a piece, and I really liked the idea of squares, so that’s why I chose this size. I cropped my photos into square shapes in iPhoto and sent them off to be printed.
Once I picked them up, I collected all my supplies: Mod Podge, black acrylic paint, some foam paint brushes and a whole lotta newspaper. This was a quick Saturday morning project and it really was so easy a caveman could do it.
I chose this acrylic paint, which I have no allegiance to whatsoever, it’s just what I could get from Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon, making it cheap (though I can’t remember how cheap, probably in the neighborhood of $2 or $3 and I only ended up using like 1/4 to 1/2 the bottle).
I painted all the edges of each board black to keep them from looking too much like wood boards (and also because my pictures are black and white).
I also painted up onto the front of each board in case they didn’t align perfectly with the pictures (they didn’t, and I think it would be impossible to make them).
Not a perfect science at all, obviously. Can be as messy as you want because this is all getting covered up.
Then I Mod Podged all over the front of these boards so that I could adhere the pictures next.
The pictures aren’t going to line up perfectly, but you get the idea. You have a few seconds to push the picture around before the Mod Podge makes it impossible.
Then I put a layer of Mod Podge on the front of each picture to finish it off.
The Mod Podge got goopy on the side and I almost missed a few spots, so if you make these, make sure to smooth out the globs on every side.
I put them all on plates/books/whatever I had lying around to dry for a few hours.
And when they were done, they looked nice and pretty and mostly streak-free!
My hubby put these “picture hangers” (he calls them; I don’t know if they have a more proper name) on the back of each one.
And then we used the toothpaste method to make hanging them SUPER easy (well, in comparison at least). And…voila! I am so much happier with the end result than I had pictured it in my head.
It’s the perfect bold look I was going for on this wall that sat empty year after year (also: SOB! Look at that teeny, tiny newborn cutie on the upper right!)
The cost breakdown looks like this:
$1.10 per board, at 8 boards: $8.80 (hubby says it’s $35 for a full 4×8′ sheet of 3/4″ thick MDF, and you could get 32 12×12 boards from that)
8 pictures at $2.99 each: $23.92
Mod Podge at roughly $5 or so for the bottle (I used most of the small bottle)
Acrylic paint at, let’s just say $3 a bottle for 1/2 the bottle: $1.50
A couple of foam brushes: $0.60 or so
8 picture hangers at about $0.09 each: (you can get 100 for $8.75 here): $0.70
The TOTAL cost would be about $41 for 8 photo canvases, or $5 a piece! It cost me about $25 because I already had the boards, the foam brushes, the picture hangers and I used 40 or 50% off coupons for the paint and Mod Podge.
When you consider that 12×12″ canvases run a minimum of $25 a PIECE, that would be about $200 at the minimum for 8 of these canvases, for a savings of about $160!
Tim Hibbard
December 28, 2012 at 7:22 am (141 days ago)You are awesome!
Chelsea
December 28, 2012 at 7:37 am (141 days ago)As are you, my wood cutter/picture hanger
Adrianne
December 28, 2012 at 9:45 am (141 days ago)Love this project, and am now considering doing something similar in my home! If I do, I’ll make sure to take pics for you!
Chelsea
December 28, 2012 at 9:46 am (141 days ago)Please do, Adrianne! I would love to see them!
Adrianne
December 28, 2012 at 10:22 am (141 days ago)Have to admit, I’m having a tough time figuring out how to get 12×12 prints. I even went to Costco’s website, since that’s the one you used, went to the photo dept, and now I’m lost! Help?
Chelsea
December 28, 2012 at 10:25 am (141 days ago)Are you a member of Costco, Adrianne? If so, log in (or create a login), upload your photos, and then when you add them to your cart, you can go into your cart and you’ll see all sorts of size options below each picture. 12×12 is one of them. So you’d change the standard 4×6 quantity to 0, and the 12×12 to one. Does that help? I’ll look around and see if I can find 12×12′s anywhere else.
Chelsea
December 28, 2012 at 10:34 am (141 days ago)I don’t really see many other places that offer it. Ritz does, but it’s $18.99 EACH which makes it completely not worth it at all. Here’s a thread that touches on this subject: http://www.circleofmoms.com/digiscrapping-moms/where-can-i-print-8×8-and-12×12-layouts-181690
Chelsea
December 28, 2012 at 10:42 am (141 days ago)AND this one, Adrianne: http://voices.yahoo.com/5-places-print-12×12-digital-layouts-3327948.html
Adrianne
December 28, 2012 at 12:48 pm (141 days ago)Thanks! I’m not a member of Costco, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out! Thanks so much for your help. I am SO doing this project!
Miriam
February 22, 2013 at 9:58 pm (84 days ago)I found this site that offers 12×12 in a variety of finishes for around $3
http://www.nationsphotolab.com/prints.aspx
annie
January 17, 2013 at 11:50 am (121 days ago)this is AWESOME!! one idea to make it more “canvas like” would be to lay a 12X12 piece of canvas textured paper over each picture right after you’ve applied the modge podge. remove it carefully but quickly and you should have the “feel” of canvas without the cost.
can’t wait to try this!
{found you via pinterest!}
Chelsea
January 17, 2013 at 12:03 pm (121 days ago)What a GREAT idea! I’m definitely trying this when I make our next “canvases” for the kids’ rooms. Thanks!
Lori
January 20, 2013 at 7:16 am (118 days ago)I think at an on line lab like MPix.com you could order the images with a luster finish, and get a texture on them as well ( I think) that way you could actually eliminate the mod podge on top of the prints
( I think )
Chelsea
January 21, 2013 at 6:51 pm (116 days ago)Thanks! Definitely worth looking into.
Linda ogburn
May 15, 2013 at 8:45 pm (2 days ago)I have a question I just tired this project and after I put the picture on and went to mod podge it the picture bubbled up what am I doing wrong?
Chelsea
May 16, 2013 at 10:08 pm (1 day ago)Hm, I’m honestly not sure! I can’t think of how this would happen if it’s printed on normal photo paper? I’m so sorry!
Kt
January 25, 2013 at 10:45 pm (112 days ago)Awesome! I can’t wait to try this
Alisha
January 25, 2013 at 11:18 pm (112 days ago)Did you purchase one big sheet and then cut the boards? OR did you purchase them that size? If so where did you buy them?
Chelsea
January 26, 2013 at 6:07 am (112 days ago)We purchased one big sheet and my husband cut the boards. I’ve always been told Home Depot will cut wood for you, however (maybe Lowes, too?).
Linda ogburn
May 15, 2013 at 8:46 pm (2 days ago)Yes home dept will cut it to size for you I had them cut 6 8×10 and 2 11×14 and 3 5×7 plus I have extra in different sizes and it only cost me 8 dollars for the whole thing
Linda G.
January 28, 2013 at 1:31 am (110 days ago)This project sounds awesome! Thank you for the cost break down also! I cannot wait to move (sometime in the near future) when I will actually have wall space and not a whole lot of windows and another things blocking pretty picture hanging space.
This would also be a wonderful idea to make for the grandparents.
Spencer
February 1, 2013 at 8:44 pm (105 days ago)How clever… LOVE this idea and will be making some myveryownself… Thanks for the tips!
Terri
February 3, 2013 at 11:08 pm (103 days ago)Loved this idea so much, I made a few for my mother for Christmas!
I used an easier tip for hanging groupings (works great for pre-planning, too)
Cut paper the size of the back of canvas WITH the hanger on it, and punch a hole through the paper where the hanger is and use that hole to mark your wall.
I like to do groupings of different sizes and with some blue painters tape, you can “fake” hang the picture/paper first and play with the placements!
Cmssav@gmail.com
February 5, 2013 at 5:41 pm (101 days ago)Just love ur idea…could you please tell what mdf is and where can I purchase it. If at Home Depot..is it in the wood section??
Thanks so much for ur help…
Missy
Chere
February 10, 2013 at 4:39 pm (97 days ago)Missy,
I noticed you had not yet received a reply so thought I could help out.
MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard, which is basically sawdust and glue. Home Depot and Lowe’s both carry it near the plywood sheets. They usually have quarter sheets which are 2 foot by 4 foot an aisle or two from the big 4×8 sheets. And yes both places can cut it for you but depending on who is doing the cutting, the results may or may not be totally correct.
Chelsea
February 22, 2013 at 8:33 am (85 days ago)Yep, Chere knows her stuff!
Penny
February 8, 2013 at 4:31 pm (99 days ago)Great idea, for those that don’t want to cut their own boards, most home supply centers will cut the boards for you for a small feel. HTH.
Chelsea
February 22, 2013 at 8:34 am (85 days ago)Yes, we had our original boards cut for a different project and the MDF we used was leftover for this, or we would have just had Home Depot cut the squares into 12×12″. Although I have heard the cuts aren’t always exact, so I’m not sure about that issue.
caro
February 13, 2013 at 1:28 pm (94 days ago)hey where did u get the boards though?
Chelsea
February 22, 2013 at 8:34 am (85 days ago)We got our original boards at Home Depot.
Cathy
February 20, 2013 at 6:58 am (87 days ago)Your ‘canvases’ look fantastic! I’m definitely going to give this a try – thanks!
Ann
February 21, 2013 at 11:34 am (86 days ago)Medium density fiberboard = MDF. Yes it would be in the wood section.
Heather
February 21, 2013 at 11:59 am (86 days ago)I am so excited to see this project! I’ve never even owned Modge Podge (I know, I know) but I am for sure doing this!
Mary
February 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm (84 days ago)I use persnickity prints for my 12 x 12 prints….very happy…..love the project!
Chelsea
February 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm (84 days ago)Thanks for chiming in! It’s good to hear of another place for those who don’t have Costco memberships.
Jenn
February 24, 2013 at 1:49 am (83 days ago)This is such a great idea! The only concern I have is fading over time, any thoughts on ways to prevent that?
Chelsea
April 2, 2013 at 10:58 pm (45 days ago)I’ve not noticed any fading and I think the Mod Podge helps that.
bianca
February 25, 2013 at 12:51 am (82 days ago)clever girl
SABRINA DIX
February 25, 2013 at 9:52 am (82 days ago)I really love this idea! I can’t wait to try it…Thanks for sharing
cindy
February 28, 2013 at 9:31 pm (78 days ago)Great idea. One question: did u have pictures printed with matte; semi gloss; or glossy finish?
Chelsea
March 5, 2013 at 2:35 pm (74 days ago)Hi Cindy! I really have no idea! Whatever the standard is, so maybe glossy? Semi gloss? Definitely not matte, and as long as you’re putting Mod Podge over it, I don’t think it matters too much.
JustaFarmGurl
March 6, 2013 at 10:47 pm (72 days ago)So I am going to my local cabinet maker and have him use a small router on the edges of the mdf for a smoother finish. My boards are larger so I will use 2 hanger thingeys on the back and a wire. And since my photos are not black and white I will use a coordinating paint color. Thank you for the inspiration. Love love love Pinterest!
Connie
March 12, 2013 at 12:28 pm (67 days ago)These look fantastic! Can’t wait to try these and save some $’s. Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay
April 6, 2013 at 2:04 am (42 days ago)I’m wondering why you have to put the Mod Podge over the pictures at the very end? For a glossy finish?
Chelsea
April 15, 2013 at 8:31 pm (32 days ago)Not for the finish as much as for more protection to ensure the picture sticks and durability of the pictures. The prevent fading, peeling corners, etc.
Sandra
April 14, 2013 at 11:49 pm (33 days ago)Hi! I’m going to do this project for Mother’s Day, but I was wondering what resolution the photos should be at so that they aren’t pixelated at 12×12. I’ve got some professional photos, but even those aren’t at a high enough resolution to be blown up that big.
Do you think someone can help me out with this?
Thanks
Chelsea
April 15, 2013 at 8:29 pm (32 days ago)Hm, not sure technically, but I used pictures that came off my camera and pictures that came from my photographer and both were totally fine.
Wlmalkovich@gmail.com
April 21, 2013 at 2:31 pm (27 days ago)This is awesome. I used this to do pictures from my daughters wedding and gave them to them for their first Christmas. They turned out great HOWEVER I cannot remember which Mod Podge I used… They have so many options. Thanks for sharing!!!
From Dawn
April 21, 2013 at 7:00 pm (26 days ago)Hi I liked how your “canvases” turned out. I just got doing some 4×6′s for a test run. I know you used one coat on the top of the pictures do you think a second top coat is needed? And have you had any lifting of yellowing? Great job on the pictures and explanation! Thanks….Dawn ladybugtears@hotmail.com
Chelsea
April 26, 2013 at 11:54 am (22 days ago)Hi Dawn! Nope, I just did one coat and I’ve had zero lifting or yellowing.
Jaymi
April 23, 2013 at 5:11 pm (25 days ago)Hi! Love this idea! You know what I was thinking? If you were to wrap the photos over the edges on all sides it would look more like it was a real canvas stretched over a frame! I’ll have to test this theory!
Love the layout of your photos. Beautiful!
Melissa
April 25, 2013 at 6:18 pm (22 days ago)Great idea! I tried something a little more costly, but great effect: bought mounted canvas frames at Hobby Lobby, and Mod Podged a large photo to it. It has been exposed to the weather (on a screened porch) for 2 years, and still looks great.
Xanthe
May 6, 2013 at 3:46 am (12 days ago)Hi Melissa
wWas your photos printed on normal photopaper or must it be thicker?
Chelsea
May 6, 2013 at 9:04 am (12 days ago)Just regular old photos!
Danielle
April 29, 2013 at 9:26 pm (18 days ago)I am doing the same thing as Melissa. I bought a 2-pack of 12×12 canvases at Michaels for 3.49 (on sale 1/2 off) and Office Max does 12×12 reprints for $4.79! I hope mine turn out as good as yours!!
Michele
April 30, 2013 at 2:38 pm (18 days ago)Wow I love this just bought wood In Home Depot and they cut it for me free. I’m doing them in 11×13 and 5×7 hope it works out
Tina
May 3, 2013 at 8:03 am (15 days ago)Just ran across this idea on Pinterest, but you can get 18″x24″ posters for $2.97 at shortrunposters DOT com – will get you 2 12″x12″ photos per sheet, making them $1.49 each (or 8 for $11.88). Great tutorial and love your finished project!
Laila
May 3, 2013 at 4:23 pm (15 days ago)Good idea! I´ll do the same with my watercolors!
Jennifer
May 7, 2013 at 8:59 pm (10 days ago)Hi everyone! I’m going to try this too! Not sure whether to try the mdf or the canvas.
any tips? I’m afraid if I try with a photo it will wrinkle too.
I recently tried to make a collage with scrap booking paper on canvas using mod podge but it wrinkled – I did use some white craft glue under the paper because the mod podge wasn’t holding the paper in place as I worked, and not being a very crafty person an not having researched “how to” I didn’t know if it would hold or not… Anyway… I have wrinkles paper
chgunder@yahoo.com
May 7, 2013 at 10:22 pm (10 days ago)LOve this post! I have lots of photos from a trip and have been wanting to put them up. Can’t wait to try it.
Shree
May 7, 2013 at 11:17 pm (10 days ago)I loved the idea! Found you via pinterest. I am definitely going try this. I am planning to paint a family tree on our living room wall and would be neater to use ‘canvas’ prints instead of regular frames. I am planning on using command strips for hanging them. Hope they turn out as good as yours.
Runt
May 8, 2013 at 1:49 pm (10 days ago)When you did this did you just have the pictures printed on regular photo paper?
Chelsea
May 8, 2013 at 8:33 pm (9 days ago)Yep, regular old photo paper!
Judi
May 13, 2013 at 4:52 pm (5 days ago)‘Not worthy, oh mighty Goddess of Home Style Photo Canvas! ( I shall not say “fake” the finished product made in your Home is as, if not better, due to all the personal touches.
I have 10 Photographs I took but when I looked into the Price, I decided I didn’t want to spend a large portion of my ‘Food Budget’ on the very pricey non Home Style Photo Canvases.
So I shall spend , what to me seems to be, a very reasonable amount to do something I couldn’t even afford to have done. (unless a Lottery Win happened! ( and we don’t buy Lotto tickets). So ‘ HUGE THANKS CHELSEA ‘ and to her very helpful Husband. This begins on Friday and I am so ready. Really, Thanks for sharing your amazing idea.
christal
May 14, 2013 at 2:01 pm (4 days ago)Wow!! This is fantastic.. I have some super cute pictures that I spent 200.00 to have taken but haven’t given them out cause all Igot was a cd and I wanted to do something Great with them.. Looks Like Perfect Idea for Fabulous Christmas gifts.. THANKS SOOO MUCH!!