How to Take Apart a Picture Frame

Taking apart a picture frame to retrieve or replace a print can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing. It's also a different process depending on whether the frame is made out of wood or metal. Fortunately, once you know what to do, you can take apart a picture frame in a matter of minutes. For common wooden frames, simply slice around the edges of the paper backing with a utility knife to expose the staples holding the photo in place. Remove the staple with a pair of pliers, and you’re all set!

Taking Apart a Professionally Framed Picture

Flip over the picture so it’s laying face-down.
Cut the edges of the paper backing with a utility knife and remove the backing.
Remove the nails or staples holding the photo in place with pliers.
Lift the cardboard backing, photo, and glass out of the frame to reuse.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Apart a Wooden Frame

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You’ll be working from the back of the frame as you take it apart. Work on a clean flat surface so you don't damage the glass on the front.^{[1]XResearch source}
If the back of your wooden frame isn’t covered with paper, you can skip this step. Otherwise, cut along the inside edges of the frame with the utility knife and then pull the cut-out paper off the back of the frame.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Pull out the nails or staples with pliers. Now that the paper backing is off, you should see a piece of cardboard that’s held in place by small nails or staples. You need to pull them all out with the pliers so you can take the cardboard out of the frame.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you’re having trouble getting staples out with pliers, try a staple remover.
Take out the piece of cardboard, the print, and the glass. Set them somewhere safe so you can reuse them later.^{[4]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Disassembling a Metal Frame

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You’ll need to access the back of the frame to take it apart. Make sure the surface you're working on is clean and flat so the glass on the front of the frame doesn't get damaged.^{[5]XResearch source}
Most metal picture frames are hung using a wire that runs between the left and right sides of the frame. If your frame doesn’t have a wire, you can skip this step. If it does, use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the wire in place. Set the wire and screws aside.^{[6]XResearch source}
There should be paper lining the inner edges of the frame. You’ll need to cut through the paper so you can access the spring clips that are holding the frame together.^{[7]XResearch source}
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Use a flat-head screwdriver to pull out the spring clips from the inner edges. The spring clips are the clips inside the frame that hold the contents of the frame in place. To remove them, wedge the flat-head screwdriver under the ends of the clips and bend the screwdriver until they pop out. Once they’re partially out of the frame, use your hands to pull them out the rest of the way.^{[8]XResearch source}
- There should be 4 spring clips in total — 1 on each side.
You need to remove these screws so you can take apart the bottom of the frame. When you're finished, place the screws somewhere safe so you have them when you're ready to put the frame back together.^{[9]XResearch source}
The bottom side should easily separate from the rest of the frame now that the screws in the bottom corners have been removed. If it’s stuck, try tapping on it a few times with the handle of the screwdriver to force it out.^{[10]XResearch source}
Set the frame backing, the print, and the glass aside. When you’re ready to put the frame back together, all you need to do is slide the contents of the frame back into the open side and screw the bottom of the frame back on. But on fancier frames, do make sure to pinch together the two prongs on the corner L-brackets, when reassembling. This guides them to the correct groove to align parts properly. Otherwise the external corners will be misaligned. ^{[11]XResearch source}

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Common Questions: Backs of Picture Frames

Can you remove the matted part of a picture frame?

Typically, the photo is not glued to the matting. In this case, just lift the photo off the matting to separate them. If they are glued together, use a sharp utility knife and carefully slice the matting off the edges of the photo. The matting can be reused if the portion you cut out is smaller than the new photo.

How do you remove the stand from the back of a picture frame?

Remove the back of the frame, then wiggle the stand back and forth until it pops loose from the bracket holding it in place. Then, use a knife or flathead screwdriver to pry the bracket off of the backing.^{[12]XResearch source}

How do you remove a dust cover from a frame?

The dust cover is often just a piece of paper stapled or glued to the back of the frame. If stapled, pry the staples off with a staple remover or flathead screwdriver. If glued, use a utility knife to slice the edges of the paper along the frame outline in order to take it off.