A Guide to Spacers

What is a Spacer and When do I Need One?

A spacer is a wood frame that goes under your artwork that is used to raise the artwork flush or slightly recessed from face of the floater frame. Articient targets a 1/8" recess, but the actual recess can vary slightly.

Articient makes two types of floater frame spacers:

1. Low Spacers for Canvases

Spacers for stretched canvas will arrive with your frame but will not be pre-attached to your frame.

2. High Spacers for Thin Panels

Spacers for thin panel art will arrive attached to your frame.

Order Your Spacer

Select your spacer

You will select your spacer when you place your frame order.
Measure the depth of your canvas. Under "Spacers" on the product page, select your canvas depth. Based upon the depth entered, it will state if a spacer is needed for that particular frame. The appropriately sized spacer will be built based on the depth of your canvas (or panel) as entered.

Installing a Spacer for a Canvas or Cradled Panel

Your canvas spacer will arrive with your frame but not attached to your frame.

*If installing a panel, scroll down for installation instructions.

Attach Artwork to Spacer

Lay your artwork face down. Place the spacer on the backside of the canvas. The spacer will be slightly smaller than your artwork to ensure it remains hidden after installation is complete.
Screw the spacer to the stretcher bars of your canvas or cradle of your panel using the screws provided.

Important:

The countersunk holes on the spacer should be facing upward for proper screw insertion. One screw per side is sufficient unless the art is oversized, then add more at your own discretion.

Install Art Into Frame

Center Your Artwork

Now that your artwork is attached to your spacer, put it inside the floater frame.
Use Our Canvas Alignment Kit to quickly center and temporarily hold your artwork in the floater
frame.

Secure Your Artwork

Screw through the back of the floater frame into the back of the spacer (not too tight!).
The Canvas Alignment Kit will keep your artwork centered while you fasten it.

Remove the Canvas Alignment Kit

After securing, gently remove the blank cards first, then remove the bumper cards.

Hang Your Art

Add Framing Hardware

Add hanging hardware, and you’re done!
Your art is ready to be hung and enjoyed!

Hang Your Art!

Your art is ready to be hung and enjoyed!

Kiawah - White Maple Floater FramePicture Frame

Installing a Spacer for a Thin Panel

Your spacer will arrive attached to your frame.

Install Art in Your Frame

Center and Secure Your Art

Apply wood glue to your spacer. We recommend only applying only a small amount of glue. This makes it easier to remove the panel should there be a need in the future.
Center your panel over the spacer and apply light pressure, such as a book, until the glue has set.

Hang Your Art

Add Framing Hardware

Add hanging hardware, and you’re done!
Your art is ready to be hung and enjoyed!

Hang Your Art!

Your art is ready to be hung and enjoyed!