Easy Framed DIY Intaglio Art Prints for Beginners

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Thinking about making intaglio art prints at home? I recently made two framed intaglio wall art pieces and love the results. This post covers everything you need to know from materials and steps to framing tips for your own DIY intaglio art.

Intaglio art is just so beautiful, isn’t it? It has this classic, timeless look that can make any room feel a bit more elegant. The only downside is that at regular price it can be pretty expensive, which makes it tough to justify splurging on, especially if you’re decorating on a budget.

But the good news is that making your own intaglio art is not that hard at all! You don’t need to be an expert artist or spend a lot of money to create something that looks just as stunning.

With a few basic supplies and a little bit of time, you can make your own pieces that add that same elegant touch to your home, without spending a fortune.

What is Intaglio Art?

Intaglios are small detailed carvings or engravings that are usually found on materials like stone, glass, plaster, or metal. In the fifteenth century, intaglio printmaking methods were somewhat extensive. Now, intaglio printmaking is much more affordable.

Traditionally, the intaglio techniques were used as seals or stamps where the design was cut into the surface so that when pressed into wax or another soft material, it would leave a raised impression.

Today, intaglios are often appreciated more so as decorative art pieces with their incised lines. They can be framed and displayed and are often hung in entryway hallways, girly bedrooms, and beyond. You could even use this DIY wall art in a coastal bathroom!

How to Make Intaglio Art

I am not an experienced DIYer in the slightest bit, but I could handle this project very easily! It’s definitely beginner-friendly. I’ll walk you through the steps I took along with some tips and tricks for creating your own intaglio artwork.

Materials and Supplies

• Frames in the size of your choice
• Pre-made Intaglios
• Cardstock (I purchased mine in-store at Hobby Lobby since you can buy single sheets)
• Super Glue or Hot Glue
• Scissors
• Tape

You could choose to make your own intaglio prints. But, they are relatively inexpensive so I decided to purchase mine. Specifically, I used the medium size intaglios with gold leaf finish (A17, A19, A57 and A10).

I have used both the 20 x 20 and 15 x 15 frames that you’ll see available.

Step by Step Instructions

In just five simple steps, you’ll have your own DIY intaglio printing artwork!

1. Purchase and gather all supplies.
2. Cut the cardstock to the size of the mat opening in the frame. Make it a little larger so there is room to tape the edges.
3. Mark the center of the cardstock where it will lay on the mat to make sure the intaglio is centered.
4.  Put a small amount of glue on the back of the intaglio and place it on the cardstock where the center is marked.
5. The next step is to flip the cardstock with the intaglio on it over and match it up with the center of the mat. Tape the edges to secure it in place. 

Tips for Success

The best part about the frames I used (and linking here) is that the mat has an opening that is a great size for intaglios, so you don’t need to get a mat custom cut.

The frames I used tend to go in and out of stock frequently. If showing out of stock, turn on restock notifications because they do come back! Sometimes they even go on sale for 20% off. 

If you want to use a different color mat or prefer a different size opening, you can get one custom cut at a craft store like Michael’s. There are even some online sites that offer custom mats as well like Frame It Easy.

Some frames do not have mats at all so you would have to get one made in that case, too.

Also, while you certainly can freestyle it, marking the center of the cardstock and the mat before gluing anything is super helpful. This will ensure the intaglio is centered when you glue the intaglio on and tape the cardstock to the mat.

Other Intaglio Options

You can have SO much fun browsing the web for premade intaglios to buy. The options really are limitless which makes this DIY project even more fun. Here are a few fun other favorites I am loving. I think any of these options would work well with this project!

The first set above are the ones I am eyeing next. I think they would be so cute in a smaller frame on a tabletop stand like this one!

Other Frame Options

If you weren’t in love with the frames I used, there are plenty of other options out there! Here are a few that I think would also work with this DIY.

The first one is at a superb price and comes with the mat. The second one is also very budget-friendly, but you would need to purchase a picture mat. The third is the more expensive option, but so gorgeous!

Is There Enough Space for the Intaglio to Fit Under the Glass?

Yep, with these frames, I didn’t run into that issue at all! Of course, this could vary depending on different frame styles and pre-made intaglios that you may purchase.

If you run into that issue, you can try to shave the intaglio down some. Or, I’ve seen others try to “lift” the back of the frame up some to allow space for the intaglio by adding extra padding with a bit of foam padding or even bubble wrap.

Using Wallpaper Instead of Cardstock

Want to take this project up a notch? Use wallpaper samples instead of cardstock for the background! Or, a shimmery piece of cardstock is also fun in different colors.

Pre-Made Intaglio Art

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed with all this talk of DIY, don’t fret! There are plenty of done-for-you options available out there to purchase framed intaglios. I’ll include a few below for you to browse.

Most higher-end home retailers like Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, and even Amazon are often coming out with new products with intaglios!

Conclusion

Making your own intaglio art print is a fun and simple way to add something special to your home. It’s great to see how you can create something that looks so detailed and expensive with just a few basic supplies.

Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself. Whether you’re decorating a new space or just want to try a new project, DIY intaglios are a perfect way to add a personal touch. So, give it a try and enjoy making something beautiful for your home!