Greeting Card Art Display Plaques

 Add display impact to an artistic card with this decorative wall plaque 

(card artwork NOT included in the design cut file)

which functions as a mat frame for “portrait” oriented 

greeting card art. Plaque is made thick by layering 

cut out shapes for thickness that imitates plywood. 

Components include exaggerated teardrop flourish 

cutout shapes, top shape with a hanger or ribbon punch hole. 

Overlaid shaped-edge frame includes with circle cutouts 

sized to receive .5” painted wooden mushroom “button” plugs 

as accents (shapes also included with holes omitted). 

Card “reveal” shapes include smaller opening measuring 

approx. 6.625” wide x 4.5” tall. 

Landscape plaque measures 

approx. 9.25” wide x 17.5” tall.

Portrait plaque measures

approx. 9.25” wide x 17.5” tall.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A front plaque base shapes (3-4 for thickness build up)

B contrast mat frame (exposed narrow border)

C front mat frame

D top plaque extension (3-4 layers plus face layer)

E bottom plaque extension (3-4 layers plus face layer)

F artwork to be framed ("JOY" floral card from Halmark

Cards is used for the sample project)

G wooden 1/2" mushroom plugs (optional variation included)

2. Layer and glue together the main solid plaque shapes,

taking care here and throughout when layering that

ALL cut edges are aligned as precisely as possible.

Immediately place on a heavy flat surface with heavy flat

weights positioned on top of glued-up stack, as shown.

Immediately place on a heavy flat surface with heavy flat

weights positioned on top of glued-up stack, as shown.

If using a heavy book, consider placing somethings else

heavy on top of book to press as firmly as possible to

help prevent warping and curling, allowing glue to dry

for several hours or overnight.

3. Layer and attach the contrast inner frame layer

(bright green in sample) and top frame layer with

outer edges aligned as precisely as possible.

Press under a heavy flat object until thoroughly dry.

4. Layer and attach the upper plaque extension layers

into a stack - with face layer on front - matching all cut

edges precisely. Press under heavy weights until dry.

5. Repeat step 4 for the lower plaque extension layers.

6. Position the dried mat assembly over the selected

artwork to be displayed, centering so that an even

narrow margin remains unexposed at edges, so that

it can be temporarily taped in place, if preferred, or 

glued more permanently in place.

7. Position the mat/artwork assembly over the dried stack

of main plaque shapes, align cut edges, and attach.

Press under heavy flat weight as before.

8. Place the dried upper and lower extension assemblies

together on work surface with straight inward edges

aligned and abutted.

9. Position the main front plaque assembly over

the top, and position upper and lower edges

at the corner transition points as indicated with

pointing finger . . .

. . . so that the main plaque is centered side

to side at indicated points, as shown.

Glue in place with strong glue such as Fabri-Tack.

10. Position and attach painted or stained

mushroom buttons (if using that variation).

11. Attach decorative ribbon hanger loop

or bow, as desired, then hang from peg or nail.