Framing at Michaels?

[mellymel]

Have any of you had an item framed at Michaels? I bought a 24x30 print from a photographer on Etsy for our DD's nursery. Apparently this is a very odd size and I can't find the right size frame at Target, IKEA, all the usual suspects. I'm thinking of having it matted and framed at Michaels. Any idea what this might cost me, or alternative suggestions? If I do it, I'll definitely use a coupon!

[TBM]

Their framing is super expensive. I had something done there a long time ago, before they offered as many sizes/styles as they do now.

I have had better luck with seemingly odd sizes at Aaron Brothers or at art supply stores...especially near colleges that offer students deals.

24 x 30 is not that uncommon. Are you looking for that size or something larger to accomodate a mat?

[mellymel]

That's a good idea to check art supply stores. I am hoping for something larger to accomodate a mat, but would settle for a 24x30 without a mat too. But the frame must be white.

[emoflamingo]

Yeah, it's a rip off. If you don't have an Aaron Brothers (we don't), find a local art gallery and see if they do framing OR get a recommendation for who they would use. I was quoted $1,500 for a flag and I had 2 done for that price at a local place instead.

[TBM]

There are a lot that size on line. Even with shipping they will be less expensive than Michaels with a coupon.

[sierramist03]

If you have an art school near by see if a student will cut the mat for you.

[Susie]

Michael's with a coupon is about as expensive as my local framing store's regular prices. I prefer to go to the one that's both local and closer to me! If Michael's is the option, though, I find their coupon prices to at least not be worse than other options.

[heliocentric]

Can you buy a stock frame from IKEA or elsewhere and get a mat custom cut? I did that for a print I bought DH. The IKEA frame size was OK, but the mat wasn't, so I just tossed the mat and had one cut. Mats are still more expensive than you'd think, but way cheaper than custom framing.

[emoflamingo]

Yeah, even Hobby Lobby's mat cutting to fit an store-bought frame of any size is going to be more cost effective, especially if you have found an Ikea frame you like. (We had some mats cut at HL for some Sports Illustrated prints that were a weird size and it was like $5 each with the sale.)

[magdala]

These responses surprise me. In my area (metro Boston), Michael's custom framing prices are competitive with the local framing stores. I have had a couple of pieces matted and framed at Michael's and been pleased with the quality and price. I always use the 60% off coupons, so that may make a difference. With any custom frame quote, you are paying for the labor involved so it will be cheaper if you can find a frame and doing the labor yourself.

[sjh722]

I've had mats cut at Michael's before - I think it's only $1 a cut. Hobby Lobby cuts mats too. If you can find a frame that works, that's a way to save $.

But yeah, I'd check prices at local shops before just going with Michael's, they tend to be expensive.

[IIOY]

Feb 20, 2013 14:33:26 GMT -5 magdala said:

These responses surprise me. In my area (metro Boston), Michael's custom framing prices are competitive with the local framing stores. I have had a couple of pieces matted and framed at Michael's and been pleased with the quality and price. I always use the 60% off coupons, so that may make a difference. With any custom frame quote, you are paying for the labor involved so it will be cheaper if you can find a frame and doing the labor yourself.

Right there with you.  I've never heard of Michael's being referred to as expensive and I have a number of pieces in my house that were framed at Michael's. 

[Marmee]

My BIL was framing manager at a Michel's for years (now owns his own shop & frames for much cheaper)--He'd say definitely do not go there without a coupon. They have big ticket coupons for framing all the time. You can buy a mat & mat cutter & do it yourself--that's what I do for mats before my BIL. You have to be decent at math & practice on a couple scratch pieces but it's easy. Otherwise there are do it yourself framing kits at art stores or I'd take it in a few places & get prices. Or just ask your friends for recommendations. It can vary widely. Good luck.

[mellymel]

Feb 20, 2013 17:22:36 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Feb 20, 2013 14:33:26 GMT -5 magdala said:

These responses surprise me. In my area (metro Boston), Michael's custom framing prices are competitive with the local framing stores. I have had a couple of pieces matted and framed at Michael's and been pleased with the quality and price. I always use the 60% off coupons, so that may make a difference. With any custom frame quote, you are paying for the labor involved so it will be cheaper if you can find a frame and doing the labor yourself.

Right there with you.  I've never heard of Michael's being referred to as expensive and I have a number of pieces in my house that were framed at Michael's. 

I do have a 60% off coupon so I may go check them out just to get an idea.

[emoflamingo]

Well, I live in Kansas, so... Michael's charges by the inch and over a certain number of inches, it can get really pricy. So in my case, a flag (full-sized, flown in Iraq on a HET sort of flag) is going to be a boatload. A smaller frame probably wouldn't feel as bad.

Plus, since I went local, I got a discount for military (even though my brother is the military man and I'm not) and for paying with a check vs. charging it.

[RoxMonster]

Our Michael's here charges almost twice what Hobby Lobby and some local framing stores do for framing. And the quality is not good. I would probably check elsewhere. I have actually had stuff framed at HL and been extremely happy with the quality.

[minniebee]

Feb 20, 2013 17:22:36 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Feb 20, 2013 14:33:26 GMT -5 magdala said:

These responses surprise me. In my area (metro Boston), Michael's custom framing prices are competitive with the local framing stores. I have had a couple of pieces matted and framed at Michael's and been pleased with the quality and price. I always use the 60% off coupons, so that may make a difference. With any custom frame quote, you are paying for the labor involved so it will be cheaper if you can find a frame and doing the labor yourself.

Right there with you.  I've never heard of Michael's being referred to as expensive and I have a number of pieces in my house that were framed at Michael's. 

Ditto. In my experience, local shops are more $ than Michaels, if you use a coupon at Michaels. Even Joann is more than Michaels. 

[demandypants]

Feb 20, 2013 17:22:36 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Feb 20, 2013 14:33:26 GMT -5 magdala said:

These responses surprise me. In my area (metro Boston), Michael's custom framing prices are competitive with the local framing stores. I have had a couple of pieces matted and framed at Michael's and been pleased with the quality and price. I always use the 60% off coupons, so that may make a difference. With any custom frame quote, you are paying for the labor involved so it will be cheaper if you can find a frame and doing the labor yourself.

Right there with you.  I've never heard of Michael's being referred to as expensive and I have a number of pieces in my house that were framed at Michael's. 

yea, with the 60% coupon I think it is a good price. But I wouldn't pay regular prices there since they do sales so often.  We just had something framed there and are happy with the resulting look of the print.  they did a nice job.

[mrssavy42112]

I had a piece framed at a Joann's (similar to Michaels). Even with the 60% off coupon, it was more expensive than going to a local place. Of course, I didn't know until after. It was cheaper than Michaels or AC Moore, but it was a total rip off. Plus, I don't think they did all that wonderful of a job, but I'm no expert.

[IIOY]

Feb 21, 2013 8:46:15 GMT -5 demandypants said:

Feb 20, 2013 17:22:36 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Right there with you.  I've never heard of Michael's being referred to as expensive and I have a number of pieces in my house that were framed at Michael's. 

yea, with the 60% coupon I think it is a good price. But I wouldn't pay regular prices there since they do sales so often.  We just had something framed there and are happy with the resulting look of the print.  they did a nice job.

Yes, just to be clear, I would never get anything framed at Michael's without the 60% off coupon. Given the ubiquity of the coupons and the frequency of the sales, you would be throwing money away to pay full price.