Backlit LED Poster Frame Light Box

Written on 07/11/2019

Marc Spagnuolo

A backlit poster frame to adorn any movie-watching room.

Nicole and I love movies and we are lucky to have our own home theater room. Just outside that room, is a recess with an outlet on the wall intended for a back-lit poster frame. The one that came with the house was made with fluorescent tubes and was falling apart. So this is my replacement. It features a dimmable LED light strip and a double sided poster (which gives the best results when backlit) and accepts 27″ x 40″ posters.

Download the plans:

Here are affiliate links to some of the tools and materials used in the build:

Darrell

on 07/11/2019 at 11:10 AM

I clicked on the link for the LED light strip. It says “Currently unavailable. We don’t know when or if it will be back in stock”. Otherwise, the implications for infinitely more back-lit projects is mind staggering. Chalk up another fantastic execution of idea to creation for The Wood Whisperer Team.

Jeffrey W.

on 07/11/2019 at 12:44 PM

This might be a dumb question, but for the Plywood in the back, what is the top surface made of? I’ve gotten a bunch of waste sheets that look exactly like that. Also is what is the grain pattern called?Thanks a bunch!

Stephan Tibbetts

on 07/11/2019 at 03:32 PM

Mark,Is there specific distance the LED’s need to be from the object being lighted. I ask because my current project includes back lighting stained glass window panels. I was thinking of using white sprayed paint, but I like the aluminum tape idea better. Thanks for the tip.Steve Tibbettsaka Woodbutcher17@outlook.come

Marc Spagnuolo

on 07/11/2019 at 05:27 PM

I don’t really have specifics. This was the first time I’ve attempted something like this. Honestly, I’d prefer the lights to be a little further away from the poster to help further reduce hot spots but I was forced to put mine where they are. I imagine the further away you can put them the more well-distributed the light, but also the dimmer the light. So I think you really have to test it out with the particular lights you purchase and find the sweet spot.

Marc Spagnuolo

on 07/11/2019 at 05:28 PM

No idea. This was just inexpensive 1/4″ stock from Lowes. Made from responsibly-harvested materials but it doesn’t say what the species is.

Barry Tappan

on 07/15/2019 at 07:10 PM

Hey Marc,Thanks for the plans. I scaled the size down to 18×24 and made a light box for the kids. They can put whatever on top that lets the light through. X-rays of animals look great.Acrylic cost is crazy.

Edward J. Gold

on 09/03/2019 at 06:38 PM

Very cool light box and the doggo is wonderful.

Richard

on 11/06/2019 at 06:12 PM

Great build; does any movie poster of that size work?

richard

on 11/06/2019 at 06:14 PM

Also, would love a video tour of your theatre room; I thought I caught a glimpse of some custom columns in there through the door.

Marc Spagnuolo

on 11/07/2019 at 03:27 PM

Yes, but double-sided posters look a lot better.

Marc Spagnuolo

on 11/07/2019 at 03:28 PM

If you follow me on Instagram, I have a Story series on the home theater: https://www.instagram.com/woodwhisperer/

Allison

on 05/28/2020 at 10:02 AM

Hi! We are so excited we just found your channel. We look forward to following you. We are building these light boxes this weekend. We are having trouble Finding the plexiglass. Could you share where you purchased your sheet from? I called michales and they do carry it however it is $300 per 27×40 sheet. Wondering if I could also purchase some poster frames and use the plexiglass from there? Thanks for your help!

Marc Spagnuolo

on 05/28/2020 at 09:51 PM

Hi Allison. Plexiglass is expensive at the best of times and now there’s supposedly a shortage. So it might be tough to source. No reason you can’t borrow some clear plastic sheets from other cheap poster frames.

Jeff McBride

on 06/02/2020 at 11:53 PM

What thickness of plexiglass did you use? I am planning on making 2 to 3 of these for my studio and with Plexiglass being so dang expensive, I wanted to get the cheapest I could and the thicker the plexiglass, the more expensive it is. I was thinking I could get by with 1/8″ (maybe even .060) or less but wasn’t sure if the plexiglass would bow or sag in the middle even with two of them sandwiching the posters.

Marc Spagnuolo

on 06/03/2020 at 11:37 AM

Mine was whatever they pass off as 1/8″. In reality it’s probably a little thinner. And yes, too thin and it will sag a bit but you can get away with a little bit of sag with this design.

Robert Regis

on 08/23/2021 at 10:17 AM

can you give a web site where I can obtain double sided posters

Gregory

on 11/07/2021 at 11:41 AM

HiI heard someone say they thought 6000K was too bright. Do you have it at full strength, or dimmed?Do these hum or make any noise at all?Thanks!

Marc Spagnuolo

on 11/07/2021 at 04:55 PM

Not sure there’s a such thing as “too bright” in a case like this. The brighter it is, the more vivid the image becomes. No noise at all.

John D

on 06/28/2024 at 03:38 PM

How long was your string light? My frame is 40″x50″, so I’ll need a string that’s longer than the one you used. Thanks.

Marc Spagnuolo

on 07/06/2024 at 11:46 PM

I used the one linked in the description. I believe it’s a 16′ strip. Obviously didn’t need all of it.

Backlit LED Poster Frame Light Box

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