Recs for art frame vendors? Update in OP.

[RockNVoll]

We've been on an art buying spree recently but need to get frames for a few pieces.  All standard sizes so I don't need expensive custom framing, but Michael's isn't cutting it either.  Any recs for online vendors that are reasonably priced?

UPDATE: In case helpful to anyone else, I ended up using Frame It Easy and am really happy with the product that arrived today.  The website was pretty easy to use and I liked that they didn't have a zillion options because some of the other sites got overwhelming.  They packaged the frame really well and include all the hardware you need for hanging--D rings with wire already attached, hook, and nail.  Couldn't have been easier.  Took 10 days to arrive.

For a 22x17" piece of art with a 2.5" mat, I paid ~$84 including tax and shipping less a 10% coupon.  The room has terrible lighting at night but here's the final product:

[sonrisa]

cheap Petes?

[TBM]

pictureframes.com

They have sales frequently, and the quality is good.

[sadlebred]

Do you have a Framebridge locally? I'd also ask on your local Facebook groups. I found a local art gallery near me that does it, and they are realllllly good. It's a bit more expensive than Michaels but worth it.

[deadwing]

I bought a lot of art for my home office last year and most of it has been framed.

arttoframes.com - affordable, nice quality. The downside is a lot of their offerings are very ornate and not my style

framebridge.com - I had mixed results with them and will not order from them again. They damaged 2 of my art pieces (1 was a print and they bought me a new one, 1 was an original and I can't look at it too closely or all I see is the bent corner in the float mount frame). They also sent back one piece with the hanger ripped in 2. This is a piece of metal - I think the holes where the hanger goes in were drilled just a fraction too far apart and whatever machine puts the hanger in place destroyed it in the process. They mailed me a replacement hanger and I was not able to get it in the holes - the art is now hung with command strips. Of the frames where nothing was damaged, I had 3 out of 4 reframed because what arrived looked NOTHING like the photos on their website. I ended up reframing 2 in plain black because I didn't trust the product. The last one I reframed in the same style as the 1 that I did like.

levelframes.com - I'm really happy with the 1 frame I have from them. They are a little more expensive though.

simplyframes.com - DO NOT USE. I caught them in a lie and they weren't even apologetic. (Basically, they said they could fill all orders placed before a certain date, which mine was, but they really didn't have the material in stock, nor could they provide an estimate of when it would be in stock. I understand COVID has fucked up the supply chain and I would have been completely understanding if they had just told me the truth.) They returned my art and gave a full refund. I would not trust them again.

[candreco]

I've used americanframe.com for custom framing, and it's very good quality and not too expensive. If you've got standard sizes, I think they're probably very affordable.  For frames over certain dimensions, they ship the pieces and you have to assemble it yourself (or maybe they can ship it assembled for a much higher shipping price?), but the instructions were easy to follow and all the pieces fit they way they're supposed to. Lots of styles and options.

[RockNVoll]

Thanks, everyone, super helpful! Also appreciate the ones to avoid, which is just as valuable to know.

It sounds like some of you sent your art to the vendor to be framed and then they returned the completed item to you. I didn't even know that was a thing. I'm just looking to order the frame/plexi and will put the art in it myself.

sadlebred, I don't think we have Framebridge here. I did ask a local artist we just met for her suggestions, too, but she also offered online options.

[indifferentstars]

I would not recommend Art to Frames. I ordered a pretty basic frame over the summer and the first one that they sent was just awful quality (2 of the the mitered corners didn't match up at all, dings and scratches in the finish all over). They sent a replacement without much hassle but it still had dents and scratches in the finish. I didn't bother to request another replacement because I needed it by a certain date for a gift but I will not buy from them again.

[RockNVoll]

Sept 27, 2021 13:46:10 GMT -5 indifferentstars said:

I would not recommend Art to Frames. I ordered a pretty basic frame over the summer and the first one that they sent was just awful quality (2 of the the mitered corners didn't match up at all, dings and scratches in the finish all over). They sent a replacement without much hassle but it still had dents and scratches in the finish. I didn't bother to request another replacement because I needed it by a certain date for a gift but I will not buy from them again.

I did see some bad reviews online, but I thought it might be a case of people only writing reviews for this sort of thing if they're complaining.  Thanks for the feedback.

[UMaineTeach]

I’ve ordered from Frame It Easy a few times and not had any problems.
I’m about to order again as soon as I narrow down the 5 art prints I want into, uh, less than 5?
www.frameiteasy.com/

[snorky]

Ikea actually has decent inexpensive frames that are not ornate if your stuff is on the more casual side. I’ve used them for a bunch of concert posters and they have held up well after 10+ years and many moves.

[sent]

Sept 27, 2021 22:40:21 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

I’ve ordered from Frame It Easy a few times and not had any problems.
I’m about to order again as soon as I narrow down the 5 art prints I want into, uh, less than 5?
www.frameiteasy.com/

I have procrastinated hanging photos in my house for years. This is inspiring, I didn't realize stuff like this existed beyond Michaels or local frame shops. 

[sometimesrunner]

Higher end: Artifact Uprising and I know someone above had a bad experience, but SimplyFramed is really excellent quality.

Lower end: Framatics Woodworks frames. I ordered in based on a rec from an interior designer and they are really nice frames at a lower pricepoint. The online photos are terrible TBH, but they're very high quality and beautiful in person. They usually sell them at camera stores like Adorama. They're higher priced than Ikea but also much better quality. (although I do love Ikea frames!)

[RockNVoll]

Sept 28, 2021 9:53:15 GMT -5 spearmintleaf said:

Have you done a Google search? I use a local person.

I can't tell if you meant to be snarky but, yes, I Googled first.  The search results were overwhelming and full of unfamiliar and indistinguishable sites so I came here to crowdsource recs like we all do for a million other things.

For those recommending IKEA, I did actually pick up a frame there over the weekend but they don't carry all the sizes we need.  I think their frames are pretty great too, especially for the price!

[Accountingcat]

Sept 28, 2021 9:34:31 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

Higher end: Artifact Uprising and I know someone above had a bad experience, but SimplyFramed is really excellent quality.

Lower end: Framatics Woodworks frames. I ordered in based on a rec from an interior designer and they are really nice frames at a lower pricepoint. The online photos are terrible TBH, but they're very high quality and beautiful in person. They usually sell them at camera stores like Adorama. They're higher priced than Ikea but also much better quality. (although I do love Ikea frames!)

FYI that Framatics is on Amazon under "MCS Industries, Inc."

For metal frames in generic sizes I like "Golden State Art" on Amazon. Real glass and solid metal frames. They look like the trendy frames you'd buy at West Elm or the like. For custom sizes I've used AmericanFrame. They are good but I'd wait until they have a sale and their shipping prices are bad on large pieces.

I've also used a store called Great Frame Up and had no complaints. I think they are a franchise or chain store.

[RockNVoll]

Sept 29, 2021 20:03:24 GMT -5 spearmintleaf said:

Sept 29, 2021 18:08:16 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I can't tell if you meant to be snarky but, yes, I Googled first.  The search results were overwhelming and full of unfamiliar and indistinguishable sites so I came here to crowdsource recs like we all do for a million other things.

For those recommending IKEA, I did actually pick up a frame there over the weekend but they don't carry all the sizes we need.  I think their frames are pretty great too, especially for the price!

Not intended to be snarky. I have a custom picture framer down the street. I know they’re relatively rare, but I was suggesting you check for local small businesses. I wouldn’t have known this was a thing unless I lived near one.

Custom framing at most places is far more expensive than off-the-shelf if you have a standard sized item, which is why I don't want to go that route.  Plenty of those businesses here (I don't think they're uncommon, just probably not something you notice unless you need it).  Thanks anyway!

[RockNVoll]

Update in OP.

[TBM]

It looks great!