Framed Art Installation Guide

An open cardboard gift box filled with brown paper shred contains two small ornate gold picture frames with black-and-white bird illustrations. A printed card with small green and gold items lies on the wooden table beside the box.Adult Supervision & Safety Notice

P. Pleasant framed masterpieces are intended for adult collectors and enthusiasts. The provided installation kits contain small physical components, industrial-strength adhesives, and specialized utility compounds.

  • Not a Toy: Do not allow children or underage individuals to perform or assist with the installation process.

  • Choking & Ingestion Hazard: These materials are not intended for human consumption. Keep all plastic bags, putty, and mounting tapes strictly out of reach of children and pets.

Due to humans' inability to manipulate gossamer and pixie dust, this guide offers logistical information about how to install your P. Pleasant framed masterpiece with materials provided from the Atelier.

As you know after reading the Collector's Induction to the Protocols of Whimsy, your framed artwork can be installed almost anywhere. The physical components, engineering and enchantments the Atelier uses mean that your artwork will look spectacular whether you place it high up on your bookcase's shelf or hidden in a planter on your stoop. (Need some inspiration? Saunter on over to our social media dispatches or peruse our Installation Inspiration collection.)

However, even enchanted objects need some consideration. To ensure your artwork remains in excellent condition:

  • Avoid direct sunlight on the artwork
  • Do not install underwater or in inordinately wet places

 

Your framed artwork should have been accompanied by all the bits and bobs you see in the photograph above. If any of these objects were missing, please reach out to the atelier and we will rectify this error right away! P.S. Make sure to check the contents of your parcel completely. Our mischievous studio interns tend to sneak little surprises inside. (Note To Self: Stop hiring boggarts…)

In your shipment, you should have received at least one, small plastic bag. 

  • One is labeled "Temporary," which is non-toxic, repositionable Gorilla® Mounting Putty for temporary installation. This is included with all of P's framed masterpieces. This allows you to move your artwork around to find the right placement, to keep your visitors guessing, or install in a place where permanent installation methods are forbidden. 
  • If you purchased additional permanent installation materials during the artwork's acquisition, additional plastic bag(s) will be labeled "Smooth Surface - Permanent" or "Rough Surface - Permanent." Additional material information is listed with the corresponding installation method below. 

For installation purposes, locate the small plastic bag that correlates with your chosen installation method. Find the instructions below for your method and follow the instructions for best results. 

Temporary

We recommend starting with the non-toxic, repositionable Gorilla® Mounting Putty for initial installation as it is recommended by the manufacturer for temporary indoor and outdoor use. Keep in mind that this putty only works on certain surfaces, between the temperatures of 50°F to 85°F (10°C to 30°C), and direct exposure to moisture should be avoided. This is why we only suggest using it long-term for indoor frame installation. The Atelier provides two squares of putty for large frames, one square for smaller frames. In most cases, one square should be more than enough for any of P. Pleasant's framed works.

It is best for the following cases when you...

  • install a masterpiece in a public place or a place you don't own
  • haven't decided on your artwork's permanent home 
  • plan to move it around to new places for additional surprise and whimsy
  • don't expect your installation location to get inordinately wet

Installation Steps

    1. Prep your artwork and surface: Make sure the back of your frame and the surface you want to install on are both clean and dry. To remove any dirt or dust from your artwork, simply use a clean, dry (or slightly damp) cloth and gently wipe. 
    2. Remove liners and apply to frame: Remove plastic and silicon backings from putty square(s) without kneading. Apply square(s) to the back of your artwork allowing for even distribution of weight.
    3. Install: Press the artwork firmly in place for 30 seconds to allow putty to conform to the surface and create a strong bond. We suggest placing your thumbs on the artwork and some remaining digits on the frame itself and pushing with even pressure on all at once. You can touch the artwork itself—it's protected from smudging, hexes, and water!

To remove: Carefully remove the framed artwork and dab to lift excess putty. 

Smooth Surface - Permanent

If you know exactly where you want your art to live out its days for the foreseeable future, use the Gorilla® Clear Invisible Hold Mounting Squares. This tape is practically magic (and we aren't completely convinced elves weren't involved in its creation). This double-sided tape creates a long-lasting, weatherproof bond which is great for indoor and outdoor installation on smooth surfaces. The Atelier provides two 1" x ½" strips with each Accessories & Provisions purchase. Use both squares on an Original frame and one square on a small frame. 

It is best for the following cases:

  • You know exactly where you want your artwork to be installed for the foreseeable future
  • You want to install your artwork in a place where it is likely to get wet

Installation Steps

    1. Prep your artwork and surface: Make sure the back of your frame and the surface on which you want to install are both dry and free of dirt or oil. To remove any dirt or dust from your artwork, simply use a clean, dry (or slightly damp) cloth and gently wipe. 
    2. Remove bottom liner & apply tape to frame: Remove bottom liner from strip(s), leaving the top liner on. The bottom liner is slightly larger than the square. Apply sticky side of the strip(s) to the back of your artwork to allow for even distribution of weight. If you are using two strips on a larger frame, we recommend placing one at each end of the longest side, depending on if your frame is being installed vertically or horizontally. 
    3. Remove top liner and install: Once your tape is secured to the frame, remove top liner. Press frame firmly in place for 60 seconds to allow tape to conform to the surface and create a strong, permanent bond. We suggest placing your thumbs on the artwork and some remaining digits on the frame itself and pushing with even pressure on all at once. You can touch the artwork itself—it's protected from smudging, hexes, and water!

Tip: For easier liner removal, pinch and stretch a corner of the adhesive until the liner lifts from the tape. 

Rough Surface - Permanent

Hanging art on a rough surfaces like tree bark is highly rewarding but requires a specialized approach. These rough surfaces are naturally uneven, dusty, and—in cases of outdoor surfaces—constantly shifting. This kit includes a pre-portioned piece of 3M™ Scotchfil™ Electrical Insulation Putty which is a thick, professional-grade utility compound that behaves like industrial, waterproof clay. Rather than sitting flat on top of the rough surface, this industrial putty physically molds and flows deep into the crevices, creating a secure, weather-resistant, and vandal-deterring lock. This is why we especially suggest using this material for permanent installation in places like outdoor fairy villages that are nestled in natural surroundings. The Atelier provides two 1" x ¾" strips with each Accessories & Provisions purchase. Use both strips on an Original Frame and one strip on a Small Frame. 

Installation Steps

    1. Prep the Rough Surface: Rough surfaces easily collect dust and grime, and tree bark naturally sheds as well, which acts as a barrier and will prevent the putty from sticking. Before mounting, use a stiff-bristled brush (like a dry scrub brush or an old toothbrush) to vigorously brush the specific area where you plan to hang your art. Brush away all loose bark flakes, dust, dirt, and moss until you expose a solid, stable layer.

    2. Apply the Putty to the Frame: Take your pre-cut putty strip(s). First, peel off the flat factory paper backing (the side without the overhanging paper tab) to expose the sticky synthetic rubber. Apply sticky side of the strip(s) firmly to the back of your artwork to allow for even distribution of weight. If you are using two strips on a larger frame, we recommend placing one at each end of the longest side, depending on if your frame is being installed vertically or horizontally. 

    3. Remove the Protective Shield: Once the putty is secured to the frame, grab the overhanging edge of the top silicone release paper (your pull-tab) and peel it off to expose the outer adhesive layer of the putty strip(s).

    4. Press and Lock: Position the frame over the prepped surface. Press the frame directly with firm, steady pressure for 30-40 seconds. Do not just lightly tap it; you must physically push hard enough to compress the thick putty so it flows deeply into the natural ridges, cracks, and valleys of the bark. This compression is what creates your weatherproof, structural mechanical lock. We suggest placing your thumbs on the artwork and some remaining digits on the frame itself and pushing with even pressure on all at once. You can touch the artwork itself—it's protected from smudging, hexes, and water!


Installation Disclaimer

Provided installation materials (manufactured by Gorilla Glue and 3M) and instructions are for the owner’s convenience and are provided "as is." These materials may not be appropriate for all wall types, surfaces, or applications.

P. Pleasant LLC is not affiliated with or sponsored by these manufacturers and is not responsible for any damage to artwork, property, living trees/plants, or surfaces sustained during or after installation. Do not use these materials for applications where property damage or injury could result if the mounted item fell. Furthermore, P. Pleasant LLC accepts no liability for any injuries, adverse health effects, or damages resulting from the unauthorized handling, misuse, or accidental consumption of installation materials by minors or underage individuals. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to ensure all components are stored safely away from children. Additionally, while certain materials are recommended to deter vandalism, P. Pleasant LLC is not liable for any artwork that is stolen, lost, or damaged by third parties once installed in public or outdoor spaces.

Important Surface Warnings: The "Permanent" installation methods are designed to create an aggressive, lasting bond. Removal may result in damage to the underlying surface (including pulling paint, drywall paper, tree bark, or finishes off delicate/antique objects). The Permanent options are not recommended for use on freshly painted walls, delicate surfaces, or flocked wallpaper. The Gorilla® Mounting Putty provided for "Temporary" installation may stain some porous surfaces. Avoid putting it in direct exposure to water. Store all unused materials in a cool, dry place.

Please visit the respective manufacturer websites (Gorilla® Mounting Putty and Gorilla® Clear Invisible Hold Mounting Squares, and 3M™ Scotchfil™ Electrical Insulation Putty) for full product guidelines and specific removal instructions.