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Attention first-time picture framers!  Here's some tips to help you choose the best framing for your first project!

8/22/2015

9 Comments

 
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Welcome!  We're glad you're here!  We've created this article to help you understand why people choose custom picture framing vs. purchasing a ready-to-go picture frame.  Hopefully this will give you a head's up about what to expect in the custom framing shopping experience.  If you have any questions about picture framing at all after reading this, contact us or leave a comment below and we'll be glad to help! 

WHY DO PEOPLE CUSTOM FRAME?
How do you want to FEEL when you view your finished piece of art?  That is why people choose custom.  The #1 reason people have continued to custom picture frame for hundreds of years is because of how beautiful the final product displays in their home or business.  It is all about getting it the way YOU want it.  The mat colors will compliment your room colors, the frame finish and style will accent the design style of your environment around it.  Mass-produced frames are often so basic, they rarely compliment your rustic farmhouse, industrial modern, or whatever interior decor style you have.

Let's dig into the decisions and experience you can expect when you decide to have an item framed by a professional.

AESTHETICS.
Professional picture framers make a living helping you achieve your desired aesthetic result (and ensuring your artwork is not damaged during the process). 

Rule #1: Take it to a professional framer with a reputation of excellence.

This is by far the most important aesthetic decision you will make throughout the process.  If you entrust a random customer service representative, or a framer that's not making an effort to stay on-trend, for your design advice, the odds of receiving a finished product that you'll love for years to come just plummeted to almost nothing.  

Choosing an independent, professional framer ensures that your item will look beautiful (and not end up damaged by materials or during the framing process).  Here are a few other tips for you to consider prior to your first custom framing experience.

MATERIALS

SELECTING YOUR MATS.
Mat boards are available in suede, linen, leather and a variety of other specialty finishes can drastically enhance your finished product.  Neutral colors and fine fabrics work well when choosing your top mat. 

A good strategy is to always compliment the dominant or background color of your artwork.  A well-chosen companion fillet or 2-3 layer mat combination can create a visual zen that'll have you loving your piece in the end.  Even though there are many choices, this is a fun part of the custom framing process!  Try a few combinations!  You're not alone... we'll help!  Check our Hall of Frame for some examples.

CHOOSING A FRAME.
The beauty of custom picture framing is the advice and the selection.  Regardless of what you are framing, your finished piece will be a one-of-a-kind piece of art that complements your style and interiors.  If your art is busy, keep the frame simple.  Take a cell phone picture of the room you intend to hang it to share with your framer. 

Schedule time to view a variety of frames.  Your frames should meet the quality level, or future direction of your home or business interiors.  If your furniture is IKEA, keep the framing simple.  If you have started a furniture collection intended to last many years, you're ready to do the same with the framing of your artwork.

GLASS.
Light causes fading over time... not only sunshine, some indoor lighting as well.  Fine independent framers today only offer glazing that provides UV protection.  That's the standard, period.  Unfortunately, glass without UV protection is still out there and can have you noticing fading as soon as just a couple of years.  Museum glass is the industry-leading glazing material. Nearly invisible, it provides a crystal clear view of your artwork, almost no reflection, and protects against 99% of harmful indoor and outdoor light rays.  We stock all of the above.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The big question!  The price of framing depends on many factors, including the size of your artwork, type of wood the moulding is made from, intricate finishes on the moulding, and even your location.  Your chosen framer should have a large variety to choose from. 

It is easiest for us to provide some upfront pricing examples with pictures on our Jersey Framing and Same-Day Printing & Framing web pages, because the sizes and designs are easily categorized or similar styles.  Most projects do not fit into a menu of prices like you can find on those pages.  Overall, moulding prices vary between $9-20/per foot, and your total cost will also include matting, mounting, labor and glass.  Most consumers realize that they have plenty of high-quality and stunning design options in a range between $220-$450 for an average-sized piece.  We are happy to provide you with a free quote and answer any questions you have about pricing during your consultation.  We are here to help and will work with you to create a beautiful design you'll love, within your budget.

​HOW DO I CHOOSE A FRAMER?
​PICTURES.  Feeling confident about where to go is an important part of your decision to pick a local framer.  It is most important to view and compare examples of their previous projects.  If you have a jersey to frame, look at some examples of framed jerseys on their website.  

Do you actually like what you see?  Is the jersey display crisp and professional?  Do the pictures on their website really excite you?  Is there really anything unique about a jersey sewed on top of one single color mat, or does multiple team colors with decorative outlining around the jersey make more of an impact?  

Your final result is probably going to look like the images of the frame shop you choose.

LOCATION.  Most customers develop long-term relationships with their picture framing companies.  Choose a company in a desirable location that you will enjoy shopping at for years to come.  Do you feel comfortable in the city the shop is located, or is that city on the decline?  Is it a true retail storefront location with a variety of products and professional atmosphere?

EXPERIENCE.  Obviously, you want to choose a picture framing company with years of experience framing.  But what about the shopping experience?  Our team is made up of professionals that will offer you as much time and advice as you would like during your visit.  We offer a coffee & drink station to keep you as comfortable as possible, and, we're a great place to go shopping anyway!

Rule #2:  Have fun!

Custom framing personalizes your home!  Follow these simple tips and the next piece you hang will enhance your interior environment more than you could've imagined!  The process of framing your artwork, family heirloom, concert poster, or sports jersey is your moment to create and display something that's truly one-of-a-kind!  Have fun!

The Framer's Gallery is proud of our NO RISK GUARANTEE, because nobody else does it!  If you don't LOVE the frame or color selection, bring it back within a reasonable time frame (perhaps within 2 weeks) and we'll replace it!  If you prefer a frame that is more expensive than your initial choice, just pay the difference.

Did you find any of this information helpful?  Let us know and comment below.

​WE KNOW YOU HAVE CHOICES, THANKS FOR KEEPING IT LOCAL!
​For every $1 spent at a locally owned business, .48 stays in the community, while less than .14 spent at a big box stays in the community!  Ouch!  We all need to make an effort to shop local or we risk losing the shops that make our communities unique.

We hope to see you soon!  We are conveniently located off of I-77 at Rt. 82 & 21 in Brecksville.

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9 Comments
Andre Beluchi link
4/27/2016 02:41:10 pm

It seems like checking for the right glass would be a great idea to keep in mind. I say that because some of the glass from the picture frame that my wife did are becoming to blurry and often glaring. I'm thinking about finding the right case that would not turn out to be too glaring when the sun shines on it.

Reply
Dave link
4/27/2016 03:42:53 pm

Hi Andre!
Glass is so important (and always an area that many retailers choose to use cheaper materials to offer tempting pricing)! There are some wonderful glass options on the market that will solve your problem and have you appreciating your art again! Stop by to talk more about it and we'll show you some options!
Thanks for commenting!
Dave

Reply
Tiffany Locke link
5/29/2018 08:02:51 pm

I like that you explain how custom picture framing gives you the chance to give importance to items you display. Since this is the case, you'd probably want to do this service for things that are important to you, such as wedding photos or if you commission a painting from someone. If you are considering getting picture framing done, you'd probably want to research the different professionals to find one that will work with you to find the best materials, colors, and other features to enhance and emphasize the item you have.

Reply
Kenneth Gladman link
6/28/2018 05:21:31 pm

Almost as important as the picture is the frame you choose to put it in. This can make such a difference in its appearance. I like that you mentioned finding one that compliments it well.

Reply
Bethany Birchridge link
7/9/2018 02:06:13 pm

Thanks for mentioning that if the picture holds great value to you, you should get it custom framed. As an artist, I can be quite picky about what pictures deserve proper framing. However, custom framing my favorites seems like a good idea, especially since I'll be able to get frames that properly fit oddly shaped pictures.

Reply
Bree Ward link
5/2/2019 03:07:28 am

It's true that the reason why people choose custom picture framing is that the result is outstanding and beautiful. My mother has been a fan of art, and she is now planning to buy custom picture frames for newly bought paintings. I understand why she likes custom made. She always likes the beauty of personalised touch in every artwork.

Reply
Wilson
5/23/2019 07:33:22 am

Nice Post! Thanks for the information about picture frames and what to look for while selecting custom framer. I know one of the best custom picture frame moulding manufacturer & supplier Wilson Moulding.

Reply
Lloyd Bronson link
8/19/2019 01:55:59 pm

I am glad that your article mentions the importance of choosing a framer who has experience in creating and fitting custom frames. My wife and I want to start getting more into decorating and have found that many of the photos that we hung up in frames previously did not exactly fit the sizes that the frames were. I will look further into custom framing in order to ensure that the pictures in the new frames do not get damaged.

Reply
Jenna Hunter link
9/24/2019 06:21:30 pm

Thanks for the tips on what material to use. My aunt is thinking about getting some custom frames. Getting them made by a professional could be really nice.

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    David Ping owns The Framer's Gallery in Brecksville, Ohio. The Framer's Gallery was recently voted #1 in Cleveland for Best Custom Framing.

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  • Home
  • Picture Framing
    • Online Framing
    • Same Day Framing
    • Sports Memorabilia & Jersey Framing
    • Concert Poster & Movie Memorabilia Framing
    • Framing for Weddings & Life
    • Military & Family Memorabilia Framing
    • Hall of Frame
  • Gift Shop
    • Spiritiles by Houston Llew
    • Sid Dickens Memory Blocks
    • Vases, Accents & Glass Art
    • Snow Globes
    • Sports Gifts
    • Wall Art
    • Wall Mirrors
    • Online Art Databases
  • LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Barb Pennington
    • Brad Hartig
    • Catherine McManus
    • Debbie DiCarlo
    • Katie Slider
    • Linda Lauby Cleveland Artography
    • Linda Lauby Industrial Artography
    • Neil Evans
    • Brecksville & Cuyahoga Valley
  • Corporate Art
    • Installation Services
  • Fine Art Printing
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  • Contact