Floating frame assembly guide on dovetail keys

• Preparation
• Assembly
• What is next

This guide was created specifically for floating frames by Large Print Studio (link to Etsy shop). You'll receive the frame in parts, along with the necessary hardware. This is the latest version of the floating frame, featuring dovetail keys. These new dovetail keys make assembly much easier, allowing beginners to achieve perfect results on their first try.

Preparation for assembly

To assemble the frame, you'll need a few basic tools: wood glue, a hammer, and a napkin or a slightly damp cloth to wipe away excess glue. A flat, clean surface is ideal for starting the assembly. Remember, unfinished wood can be easily stained by dirty or oily hands, so keep your hands clean or wear gloves. If any marks appear, they can be best removed with a fine sanding block.

Assembly process

Unpack the disassembled frame and arrange the bars in their final positions, then flip them face down. For the best results, assemble one corner at a time. The dovetail keys will securely hold and align the bars together.

Step #1. The first corner.

• Take the long and short bars.
• Apply a drop of wood glue to the surfaces that will be joined (45-degree cuts)
• Wipe off any excess glue.
• Align the bars at a 90-degree angle, edge-to-edge, face down as shown in the picture below.
• Insert the dovetail key into the slot using hand pressure.  The round side of the key goes down.
• Use a hammer to tap the key down slightly until it's flush with the back.
• Wipe away any excess glue with a slightly damp napkin.

Step #2. The second corner.

Repeat Step 1 for the next bar, and attach the third bar to the ones you've already glued. Be sure to connect a long bar to a short one, or vice versa, but not two bars of the same length (long to long or short to short).

Step #3. Joining the last bar.

• Apply glue to both joints of the fourth bar of the frame.
• Align the bars and insert the dovetail key into the third corner.
• Insert the dovetail key into the last fourth corner.
• Wipe away any visible glue from the frame surface.

Step #4. Final alignment.

• Flip the frame over onto its back and place it on a flat surface.
• Insert your stretched canvas art into the frame, aligning it so that two sides of the art touch the frame's edges (push it into one corner). Make sure the frame's shape matches the art's geometry. If it's an absolute square, that's ideal, but often it's nearly a square and needs to be aligned with the canvas.

What is next?

Allow your assembled frame to dry completely. Then, apply a protective finish of your choice, such as polyurethane, stain, paint, mineral oil, or wood wax. You can also leave the frame unfinished, but remember that all types of wood will naturally change color over time. Once the frame is ready, attach your art and hang it on the wall.