What is the best way to frame a map without spending a lot of money?

-I have a very inexpensive map that I would like to hang above my couch, but I don't have a lot of money to spend in making it look nice. Don't want to have it custom framed. Does anyone have any suggestions?If you can do this project yourself that would save you a lot of money, custom framing is expensive, but it is necessary at times if you are wanting to preserve something, especially. Spray mount the map to a foam-core board (You can get this at Wal-Mart - or at a art and supply store. There are boards up to 60 in. Select one that is at least 1/4 in thick. First spray the board outside, because it will leave a sticky substance everywhere. Then take one corner of the map and match it to the corner of your board. carefully try to line up the other corner, while holding up the other side of the map up so it is not touching the board. Then Take a notebook or flat object and start pressing the map down a little at a time, while still holding up the other side. Gradually press the flat object toward the other end of the map. make sure all of the map is pressed down firmly. Cheapest way to frame it would be without glass in a preexisting frame. Find a frame that works best for your size of map. Then place the map in the frame. If you have glass you want to frame it under place it in there first. After the artwork is in the frame you will need a way to keep the artwork in the frame. There are different ways to keep the arwork in the frame, this is just one. Go to a hardware store and see if they have any picture framing hardware. You need to look for Turn buttons, wire, and screws. Turn buttons are what you typically see in ready made frames, where you turn the turnbuttons to one side and you can get into the frame, same concept. You may have to place cardboard behind your foam core board to fill the gap. Place these turnbuttons on the frame with screws so they can turn easily so you can get into the frame. Place them approximately every 4 to 6 inches all the way around the frame.



Then you are ready to get you wire on the back. Place the screw eyes (screws with the holes in them) 1/3 of the way up down the top of the frame and take your wire through each hole tying a not at the end. typically the wire needs a little slack in it so it pulls tight at about 2 to - 5 inches from the top of the frame, depending on how large the map is.



Then you are set. If the wire isn't strong enough, go back to the hardware store. Many times they will have a solution for you. Other alternative is to have a custom framer help you in fitting the framing, this will be way less expensive if you don't have to buy the materials from them (frame, mounting board, mounting service, glass).I agree that you might be able to find a ready made frame at a frame shop or art supply store. (find them in your local phone directory) If your map is a standard size, there should be frames available. If the map is NOT a standard size, you might still be able to find a framing kit that you can cut to any custom size.



Of course, the cost will determine the quality of the frame.
Go to a framing shop or an arts and crafts store. Buy one of the ready made frames. These often go on sale at about half price. A simple poster frame made from a couple sheets of plastic clipped together should work for a map.