The other day, while browsing my favorite home decor store, I ran across a wall hanging that was 3D. It was created from multiple layers of the same image. I wondered if that same technique would work for my own photos.
Well, it did!
I am excited to show you how easy it is to create three dimensional photos using your own prints.
Supplies needed to make your own photos 3D:
- Craft Knife & Cutting Mat
- Micro Scissors
- Foam Mounting Adhesive Squares
- Duplicate Prints of the Photos you Choose
Choose a photo that is easy to “see” the dimension- like a shot in front of a layered background. Make sure the image is easy to cut. For example, I have a group shot of my family in front of the Eiffel tower. There is no way I would want to cut out all of the intricate detail of the tower!
Photo prints are cheap! Practice on 4×6 prints before you work on enlargements- to see if the layers are going to work. I would also suggest you get an extra print, if you make a mistake. 🙂
Cut your first layer. I used micro-tip scissors on most of my cutting. On very intricate places, I used my craft knife.
Continue cutting your “layers.”
I chose three cut layers to this photo, and then the background as a fourth layer. The final layer is not cut- all of the cut layers will be layered on top of a solid background.
When all of the layers are cut, you can begin to assemble the layers.
I began with the front layer. Add foam dimensional adhesive to the backside of the cut layer.
The foam adhesive squares comes in two sizes. The small size is great for supporting small sections of your cut layers.
Here is a tip that will save you some headache!
Leave the protective backing on all of the foam squares except one. Position the top layer over the next cut layer. Allow the one foam adhesive square to adhere to the second layer, and then start to peel the backing off of the remaining squares. This will allow you to preposition the layer- and get it nice and straight without having a sticky mess to try to peel up.
Continue to layer your cut photos.
All finished layering!
Now your photo is ready to be used in a scrapbook, or mini-album… but how is it going to fit into a frame?
I figured that one out too. 🙂
Choose a frame that has an opening large enough for your photo- but with some edge around the frame.
Apply adhesive to the perimeter of the backside of your photo.
You can remove the glass inside the frame, or leave it intact. Totally up to you.
Add a couple of foam adhesive squares to the center of the inside of the frame.
Then adhere your photo down! On top of the frame. This will allow the wonderful 3D layers to shine, without getting squished down by glass, or the interior lip of the frame.
It is a little hard to show how cool the 3D effect is on these photos!
Just trust me- it’s cool, and worth the effort of the fussy cutting.
Awesome for vacation photos.
Great for action shots! Check out the skateboard popping out of the frame!
And pretty spectacular for everyday shots, too.
A pretty cool way to make a custom, personalized WOW! factor in your home or office decor.
Grab some scissors and create your own one-of-a-kind 3D art!
More Project Ideas
Owl Our Best Graduation Card
Feature Friday: Scrapbook Flower Wall Art
Decorating Paper Mache Letters for the Home
Heart String Art Tutorial
Die Cut DIY Watercolor Art
DIY Color Blocked Mirrors
How-to: Hand Painted Note Cards – The Easy Way
DIY Distress Crayon Thank You Cards
Anthro Inspired Initial Wall Art 
Cork Covered “EAT” Sign
Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).
I saw a guy at a festival the other day who was selling this type of art. He had various prints from well known artists and had them layered and they were placed on a hard wood background and they were covered with acrylic to protect the paper. It was hard as wood and made it very nice. It looked nice the way it was but also in a frame. Now that I have your technique, I am curious how I would apply the acrylic. I want to make some of these for my home. Has anyone done it in this manner? Or have any idea how you would apply acrylic over prints without it looking a mess? Thanks for any tips
I burn wood pictures,i have taken my lazy susan apart and put a wood burn pic and put it under the glass top of the lazy susan.is there something I can do to the glass to make the pic underneath look 3 d? nov 4 2016
Shaunte,
Thanks for the great idea, I’ve done this technique with prints, but not with photos. Can’t wait to try this! Does it matter what kind of copies you make (laser vs ink jet)?
Thanks,
Jodi
u made my assignment easy
Love the work. One suggestion though as I create 3D art from artists’ prints. One print with 9 copies and layering with sealant. Before adhering the lovely pieces you could have taken a Tebow ABT black or gray N45 ink pen from Blick art supply and darken the edges of each photo piece. This eliminates the white edges and the layers would blend well and not take away from the effect. I have an example I can upload for you to see. Let me know
Joan
Joan, can you please tell me what websites you use to get the artists prints?
Thank you,
Jodi
This is called decoupage and gas been around a long long time
Decoupage is a form of generally one dimensional paper collage that is sealed with several coats of varnish or lacquer. This project is not sealed with any coatings, nor does it lie flat. I wouldn’t call it decoupage- but thank you for your interest! 🙂
Hi from Belgium Shaunte!
Just made myself a complete family pictures with your technique: just amazing!!
I am so looking forward to receiving some great other ideas from Crafts Unleashed!
Thanks!!
Aurélie
Love this idea really different great gift
Love this idea such an unusual way to display your favourite snaps.
Wow this is super cool! The action shot produces the best effect! Love it! Thanks for sharing this technique, will definitely give it a shot! 😀
First, how awesome is that photo of all the kids? Second, this is such an awesome idea! I can’t wait to try it!!
This is pretty cool! I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
@heidi- get those photos printed! You will love them.
I have several pictures in frames my aunt made with wolves, another one of owls stacked several deep. It is beautiful and I would like to learn this. It looks like she put some kind of shield over them and was wondering what that could be. I wish I could show you them, very very well done. Very professional. I know cut out the pictures, have a background, put the little squares on the backs. Is there something else I should do. The owls look so real almost like it has feathers how she cut them.
Great technique! I mean, really, really great. I’m definitely going to try it next week. Thanks for sharing 😀
@Marfa- You will love it. I can’t stop looking at my photos!
I love this idea and will try it soon! Thanks so much!!!
La-Vie
Edging the cut image with black or colored marker makes the images and layers pop even more. Thanks for sharing this 3D technique.
@Pat- that is a great idea- I am totally trying that- I am sure it would make the edges pop more, thanks for sharing that tip!
Sure wish I could save to my computer. It’s difficult running back and forth to another room to get instructions then of course, I am on line for the entire time I’m crafting. I could put instructions on a “stick” and into my laptop and take it with me. Your ideas are fantastic. Thanks, Karen