DIY Split Photo

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If there is one thing that I have learned about decorating, a small picture frame looks dinky on a large wall.  We have very high ceilings in our living room and I needed to fill up the wall space above our tv.  I thought about creating a gallery wall but knew it would take me forever to pick out all the frames and get all the pictures that I wanted.  The wall has been blank forever and I just wanted to get it done pronto. After our trip to Maine this summer, I decided to take one of my favorite photos from that vacation and create a DIY Split Photo.

Make a DIY Split Photo for under $50!

I love the look of photos on canvas but professionally made canvas prints are too pricey for me.  I made a few small DIY Canvas Photos a few years ago but wanted something a bit bigger for this wall. This project costs less than $50.  There is definitely a cheaper way to do this but the $50 option is what worked best for me.

Here is what you will need to create this project:

Two 20″ x 30″ foamboards (I bought mine at Jo Ann Fabrics using a 40% off coupon for approximately $10 total)

One photo split into two 20″ x 30″ sections

Spray Adhesive

Exacto Knife (optional)

3M Strips

Here’s how to make your customized DIY Split Photo:

First, choose a photo that you like and use a photo editing program to split it into two 20″ x 30″ sections.  I used Photoshop Elements.

Next, send the photos off to be printed.  I chose to send my photos to Walmart.  They print 20″ x 30″ photos in color for about $18.50.

Once you have your photos printed, cover one side of each foamboard with spray adhesive. Do one foamboard at a time.  Make sure to cover your workspace and work in a well ventilated area.

For this next step, you will want to have someone help you, if possible. Place your photo onto the foamboard, lining up the top corners and sides  first and then work your way to the opposite edge, smoothing it down as you go. Have one person to hold each end of the photo to make sure it lines up with the foamboard evenly.  Once the photo touches the adhesive, it is very hard to get off if it is not lined up correctly.

I did this step by myself (because I was too impatient to wait for help) and the photo overhung the side of the foamboard slightly. If this happens, it is ok. I just took an exacto knife and trimmed off the “excess” foamboard.

Measure your space and hang your DIY split photo up on the wall using 3M strips.  I love 3M poster hanging strips because it is easy to adjust to get your photo straight.

Here is the view of it in the living room. My mantel needs a bit of help and accessorizing. Don’t judge.

Make a DIY Split Photo for under $50!

Now for the cheaper way….

You can also do this using an Engineering print.  Engineering prints only come in black and white and they are printed on regular paper and not photo paper. They are approximately $7.00 for a 24″ x 36″ print at Staples, substantially cheaper than a photo.  But a word of caution… Engineering prints are NOT meant for photos. Sometimes they will come out looking ok and sometimes they won’t.  I used an engineering print for my Address Subway Art and it worked well but that project was something I designed and not a photo.  I originally sent my Maine photo to be printed as an Engineering print and it ended up with a big white streak through the middle of it. It just has to do with the fact that Engineering prints are printed on a plotter and not on a photo printer.

However, I was willing to pay 7 bucks to see if it would work.  Some people have had great luck with photos as engineering prints.  I have not.  So after that, I chose to use color photos instead. I think the color photo works better in the space anyway. What do you think?

Make a DIY Split Photo for under $50!

 

 

 

 

 

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