Coming down the stairs every morning I'm delighted to see this view with art that I made and a bouquet of fresh flowers. These are the simple things that bring me lots of happiness - knowing I made this little scene on my own! I really do like to change out my wall art seasonally & this was the perfect way to do so on a budget!
So I've created a tutorial on how I do it! Keep in mind you can do this for any size frame, I just happened to want a 24x36 poster size for impact and statement in our entryway.
Step 1: Make an account on Canva.com
This is a free graphic design program that allows you to make SO MANY things. For instance this poster art, menu cards, business cards, invitations, social media outlines, the sky is the limit here! You can do a monthly subscription which gives you even more access to icon elements, fonts and template options. I just upgraded to the monthly option this year once I realized this would be a good fit! Otherwise you can definitely do a lot with the free version, especially when you're just starting out and then realize how amazing Canva is!
Step 2: Make your Canva art!
Step 3: Email your file to a local Copyworks
*If this is a print for a small frame and it's in black and white - I would print on your own printer and the quality will be just fine.
If you are doing a larger print like what I've done here, you will want to know a couple of things. Ask them to print on "presentation paper". This is a bit thicker than your average printer paper, closer to a cardstock. I did the regular paper the first time and somehow little crinkles occurred and could be seen in the frame - it looked cheap. So it is worth the extra $ to do this type of paper. The entire cost of printing a 24x36 on presentation paper is about $30 which is an honest steal instead of buying something from a store that you could recreate yourself! Secondly, ask them to not roll the paper, keep it flat. That also helps to keep any creases out of the poster until it reaches it's home inside the frame (at least this has worked best for me). Lastly, I would reiterate what size paper/poster you want so it's clear. Another tip: when you pick it up, ask them to make sure the paper was cut to the exact size you requested. They may not have paper in the exact size you're needing, but they can certainly cut it to size. Learn from my mistakes (or theirs). One of the times I picked up a poster, I drove all the way home to find out it wasn't cut just perfectly for a 24x36 and I tried to fix it on my own (but screwed that up). So I had them print me another and they cut it down to size. I make sure to ask that question every time now before I leave the store.
Step 4: Frame it!
The gold frame I purchased from Target is linked, here.
Again - if you're like me and enjoy changing up your art - this is the perfect option! And think about it, once you have made something for the holidays you celebrate or the seasons you love - you won't have to make them again! You can keep using them year after year until you want to make another! I store all my previous posters behind the one that is currently being used. So they are always together and laying flat.
I hope this was helpful & inspires you to make your own art! You don't have to be a Picasso to call your creations "art"! Just an fyi ;)
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