Paintless Colored Frame

This Instructable will show you how to make a colorful, decorative, lightweight frame.

You will need:

• Your art already mounted onto a larger cardboard piece.
• Four cardboard strips (the base of your frame) cut with an exacto knife.
• Colored washi tape
• Masking tape.

• Glue. I used Elmer's, which won't hold up over time; hot glue is preferable.

Step 1: Cut Your Cardboard.

1. Cut out four strips of cardboard that will be the foundation of the frame.
   
   • I cut my pieces large enough to extend an inch and a half from the edge of my art. I also cut my pieces to overlap at the corners, but with careful measuring, you could cut the ends at angles to make smooth corners.
   • Do not assemble/glue the strips into a frame yet. Leave them separate.

Step 2: Cover Your Cardboard.

1. Cut or rip small strips of washi tape about a half-inch longer than the width of your cardboard strip.
2. Individually place each tape strip on the cardboard, wrapping the ends of the tape over the edge of the cardboard to create a smooth edge.
   • Unless your washi tape is 1 inch wide or wider, do not try to place the tape "the long way" on the cardboard; it will not wrap cleanly over the cardboard's edge.
3. Not pictured: Washi tape does not have a strong adhesive, so use the masking tape on the back of the cardboard strip to secure the ends of the washi tape.

Step 3: Assemble the Cardboard Strips Into a Frame

1. Using the masking tape, connect each cardboard strip so that it forms a full frame.

Step 4: Mount the Frame Onto the Art.

1. Using your glue, attach the frame to the cardboard border around your art.
2. Place weights (I used books) on each side while the glue dries.

Your frame is complete!