Though we specialize in collage photo frames, we recognize that many people would like a more personalized alternative to buying a ready made collage picture frame and making a photo collage that way. After all, a photo collage is a perfect way to commemorate the special moments of your life no matter how you put it together. Photo collages also make wonderful gifts so perhaps you are thinking of making one yourself in order to add a more personal touch. You can make a beautiful photo collage, even if you have never made one before or are not particularly artistic. Here is our step by step guide for making a photo collage.
First, decide what the theme of your photo collage will be. Special occasions like weddings, proms, birthdays, anniversaries and graduations make perfect themes. Vacations and baby pictures make nice collages as well. Photo collage ideas are not hard to come by and sometimes just looking at old photographs will inspire you.
Secondly, gather up as many photos as you can that fit your chosen theme. It is not possible to know exactly how many pictures you will need, but if you plan on using a larger sized frames like an 18×24 or a 24×36 frame, fifty is a good number to aim for. Choosing more than you think you will need is a good idea as well. We do not recommend using your original photos so you will want to have copies made. If your photos are in digital form, you can burn them to a CD and have prints made or you can order photo prints online by uploading your photos to photo printing site like Clark Color and have your prints mailed to you. Once you have your prints in hand, organize your photos into three groups based on priority – “must include,” “would like to include,” and “will include if I have room.” Your collage does not have to consist entirely of photos. For example, you can include other frameable items such as a wedding invitation, a poem, ribbons, newspaper clippings, stickers or an inspirational quote.
Now that you have your photos picked out, your duplicates made, any you have collected any other items you wish to add to your collage, it is time to get the rest of the materials you will use to create your photo collage. You will need:
- A picture frame to display your collage.
- Sharp scissors to trim your photographs.
- Acid free glue or photo adhesive.
- Poster board or thick acid free paper to mount your photos on.
- A utility knife to cut your poster board to fit your frame.
At this point you have your photos ready to go and you have all of your materials so now comes the fun part – putting together your collage! Arrange the photos on your poster board before you glue them down to get an idea of how the finished product will look and so you can experiment with different placements. Some overlap or blank space is fine and you can trim any photos you need to. You may find it easier to work the edges first then fill in the center, or you can position your favorite picture or item in the middle and work around that.
When you are satisfied with your layout, you can start gluing your photos down. When you have completed your collage, slide it into your frame and marvel at your accomplishment. Hang it up where everyone can see it! Hope you enjoyed our how to make a photo collage guide!
