Egyptian-Style Magnetic Picture Frame

Magnetic Frame for Papyrus / Picture

I designed this frame as a gentle alternative to a classic glass frame. The picture is held in place with magnets that work like a vise – they grip it firmly without causing any damage. Thanks to the groove for fishing line (max Ø 0.6 mm), the frame can be hung almost invisibly while keeping the picture close to the wall.

The frame has these dimensions:
(width is non-standard due to the proportions of one hieroglyph)

• width: 309.6 mm
• height: 30 mm

📦 Assembly

• 2 frames: top and bottom
• Each frame = back rail + front rail
• Each rail = left + right part (due to bed size limits, e.g. Prusa MK3/MK4)

🧲 Magnets

• Neodymium 10×10×2 mm
• Total 8 pieces (4 pairs)
• Mark them into two groups: “A” and “B”
• Principle: always pair A + B, never A + A or B + B

How to mark them (quick and safe)

• Take 2 magnets, let them snap together → mark one as A, the other as B
• Snap another magnet to “A” → mark its outer side also as “A”
• Repeat until you have 4× A
• Do the same to make 4× B

👉 Result: you have 4 magnets “A”, 4 magnets “B” – and each A+B pair attracts.

Insertion rule

• Back rail (flat): insert magnets with “A” side facing up
• Front rail (with relief): insert magnets with “B” side facing up

This ensures that:

• front and back rails always attract
• left/right parts are interchangeable
• the rails never repel each other

🖨 Printing process

• In your slicer, set a pause once the magnet pockets are fully printed.
• Print the back rails with the PICTURE text facing the bed.
• During the pause, insert magnets according to their marking (A into A, B into B). Secure with a drop of superglue.
• Resume printing → magnets will be embedded and invisible.
• Glue left and right rail parts together to form full front and back rails.
• Assemble the top and bottom frame, thread fishing line through the groove, and hang. Fix the line with a drop of glue if needed.

👉 Is this guide too short?
Below is a more detailed version with step-by-step instructions to make sure nothing can go wrong.

🧲 Preparing the magnets – step by step

Each magnet has two poles – north (N) and south (S). Magnets attract only when opposite poles face each other. To avoid dealing with N/S directly, we simply label them as “A” and “B”.

The goal is to create 4 pairs of magnets that attract. The printed models have pockets labeled “A” or “B”, so you always know which magnet goes where.

Step 1: Create the first pair and mark the sides

1. Let 2 magnets snap together → this makes a pair.
2. Mark the outer side of one magnet “A”, the other “B”.

Step 2: Mark magnets for group A

1. Snap another magnet to the “A” side.
2. Mark its outer side also “A”.
3. Repeat with 2 more magnets.
4. Result: 4 magnets, each with one side marked “A”.

Step 3: Mark magnets for group B

1. Snap another magnet to the “B” side of the original pair.
2. Mark its outer side “B”.
3. Repeat with the remaining magnets.
4. Result: 4 magnets, each with one side marked “B”.

Step 4: Build the correct pairs

1. A proper pair is always one “A” and one “B”.
2. Put them together so their unmarked sides touch.

Step 5: Rule for inserting into the frame rails

1. Back rail (flat): magnets with “A” side up.
2. Front rail (with relief): magnets with “B” side up.

This guarantees that rails always attract and never repel.

Printing and installation

• In your slicer, set a pause at the height where magnet pockets are finished. The next layer will start closing them.
• Always print the back rail with the PICTURE text facing the bed. This ensures front and back magnets are as close as possible for maximum strength.
• During the pause, insert magnets according to the markings (A into A, B into B).
  (Reminder: the models have A/B labels in the pockets, so you always know which magnet goes where.)
• Secure magnets with a drop of superglue if needed.
• Resume printing → the magnets will be sealed inside and invisible.
• The front rail has a groove for the fishing line, ending with a small cavity for knots. The groove is 0.6 mm deep and wide.
• You can fix the fishing line inside the groove with a drop of glue.