Adding decorative borders around your photos can help make them stand out and give them a more polished, professional look. There are many easy ways to add borders to photos, both digitally using photo editing software as well as manually for printed photos.
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Digital Photo Borders
Use Built-In Photo Editing Software
Most computers and mobile devices come with basic photo editing software that allows you to add borders.
On iPhone/iPad:
- Open the Photos app and select the photo
- Tap “Edit” > “Markup” > “+” icon > Square shape
- Customize border color, thickness, etc.
On Windows:
- Open photo in Paint
- Select “Resize” to increase canvas size to fit border
- Use shape tools to add border on new canvas area
On Mac:
- Open image in Preview
- Select “Tools” > “Annotate” > “Rectangle” to add border
- Customize thickness, color fill, etc.
Use Online Editing Apps
There are also many great free online photo editors like Canva, PicMonkey, Ribbet, and Fotor that make it easy to add custom borders.
- Upload image
- Select border templates or use shape/line tools
- Customize size, color, thickness, etc.
- Save edited image
Design Custom Borders
For full customization over border designs, use Photoshop, GIMP, or Illustrator to create your own frames and overlays.
- Create new document sized for your printed photo
- Design border using shape tools
- Import photo into center of document
- Export finished bordered image
Physical Photo Borders
Buy Photo Frames
Purchasing decorative photo frames is an easy way to showcase printed photos with stylish borders.
- Choose frame colors and styles to match your home’s aesthetic
- Select frame with thick borders or mats for bold effect
- Arrange multiple framed photos in gallery-style layouts
Make DIY Frames
You can also handmake your own one-of-a-kind frames using materials like wood, clay, fabric, beads, and more.
- Cut matboard or cardboard to fit photo
- Decorate outer edges using paint, glitter, ribbons, lace, stickers
- Glue embellished mat over photo and place in frame
Or attach embellishments directly to the frame itself:
- Brush glue along inner edges of frame
- Press beads, buttons, sequins into glue to create border
- Add charms, ribbons, or decorations at corners
Other Ideas
- Photo albums or scrapbooks with decorated edges or backgrounds
- Polaroid-style photo stickers surrounded by colored paper
- Photo decals applied to wood, glass, or other surfaces with painted border
The options for adding beautiful borders to your photos are endless! Use these ideas to display your favorite shots and make them into decorative art pieces. With a little creativity, even simple photos can become stunning framed masterpieces.
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Conclusion
Adding decorative borders to your photos can take them from snapshots to framed masterpieces. Use digital editing tools to easily customize and embellish your images, or get creative with DIY crafts and frames. The possibilities are endless for showcasing your favorite photos in an artistic way.
