Best resources for semi-custom art framing?

[Deleted]

I have two pieces of art that I want to get framed. They are originals, but not super valuable, more sentimental. I was thinking of maybe trying to pull something together myself, but not sure where the places are to shop for frames and mats. They are each approximately 10x24, which I don't think is a crazy custom size. I want them to look nice, but don't want to spend 10x their value having them framed. 

Here is a picture of one of his other pieces that gives you the idea of style. The ones that I have don't have any color though.

[libbygrl109]

Michaels may have the supplies. I know you can buy big pieces of photo mats, and they have lots of frames in various sizes.

[pierogigirl]

You can get a mat custom cut. You might be able to get a standard size frame at a craft store and just have the mat cut for the size of the art. Edit - at a framer.

I have a custom framer and I think the prices are pretty reasonable. Have you gotten an estimate at a frame shop (not Michaels)?

[bhnumbers]

I have now had more than a dozen photos or pieces of art framed by Framebridge now and I've been completely happy with their work. If you have one of their stores near you, I definitely recommend stopping by to see what their options are. I'm sure it varies from store to store, but the various sales people I've worked with there have been extremely helpful.

eta: my parents had a set of two paintings of Paris that look really similar to yours. my mom doesn't have them anymore, so maybe my dad got them when they divorced. I hadn't thought about those in years!    

[bittybomb]

I ordered a custom mat through Etsy.

[deadwing]

Apr 20, 2022 15:31:52 GMT -5 bhnumbers said:

I have now had more than a dozen photos or pieces of art framed by Framebridge now and I've been completely happy with their work. If you have one of their stores near you, I definitely recommend stopping by to see what their options are. I'm sure it varies from store to store, but the various sales people I've worked with there have been extremely helpful.

eta: my parents had a set of two paintings of Paris that look really similar to yours. my mom doesn't have them anymore, so maybe my dad got them when they divorced. I hadn't thought about those in years!    

I placed a massive order with Framebridge (8 frames?) at the start of COVID and I was less than thrilled.  I did everything online/via mail because there isn't a store near me.  My main issue is the frames looked NOTHING like the pictures when I received them.  What was supposed to be a "soft gold/champagne" was more of a pewter in person.  They reframed everything I was unhappy with, but I reframed in black because I knew they couldn't mess that up.  I don't see myself using them again.

I've ordered 2 custom frames from Level Frames where I framed the art myself at home and I am very happy with those.  Level Frames has fewer options and they are fairly simple/straightforward.  What I got is exactly what I expected and they're lovely.

ETA:  I do love the Beverly frame.  I ended up with 2 of these and they're my favorites.  But, the picture looks like a super light silver and in person it's MUCH different - more matte grey with a little gold streaked in.  I would buy this one again, knowing what it looks like.  www.framebridge.com/frames/beverly-silver-black-frame

[definitelyO]

I usually go to Michaels - but only when there are coupons/sales, etc... framing is so expensive.

[bhnumbers]

deadwing, oh no!! I'm sorry to hear that maybe it's best to use only if you can go see the frame samples IRL beforehand.

[deadwing]

Apr 21, 2022 13:20:29 GMT -5 bhnumbers said:

deadwing , oh no!! I'm sorry to hear that maybe it's best to use only if you can go see the frame samples IRL beforehand.

Yup.  Lesson learned.  I do expect *some* variation from the picture to reality, but the degree of difference was staggering.  Honestly looking up the picture of the Beverly, which I linked, compared to the physical frame in front of me... I truly have no idea how they make it look light metallic silver in the pictures.  I wouldn't describe it as light OR silver OR metallic in real life.

[RockNVoll]

I asked a similar question last year and ended up using www.frameiteasy.com/. I was very happy with the experience and liked that their site wasn't overwhelming with options like some others.

ETA - Here's the old thread in case you're interested: pandce.proboards.com/thread/628978/recs-art-frame-vendors-update

[ellipses84]

I’ve always paid Michael’s or Aaron Brothers to do it. Both usually have sales. I think the most I’ve paid at Michael’s is a couple hundred for a larger piece with a nicer quality frame and mat, after the half off coupon.

If you don’t want to pay that, you could mat it yourself or find a long floating glass frame. I often see them for a stacked series of photos but without a mat, they are just two panes of glass and you sandwich the art between them. Sometimes there’s a thin frame around the glass.

[stemmie]

I go to a local frame shop. My mom has done a couple pieces with a coupon at Michaels'- it's about the same cost as custom framing at a local shop and I find the person helping you at Michaels' could be awesome or just going through the motions. The work they did was fine- just not as much effort was put into coordinating the best mat, frame and glass.

The shop offers DIY framing with a considerable amount of assistance as needed. It's cheaper than custom and nicer than putting together a a stock frame from Michael's of Joann.

That said, with an unusual size, it might be possible to assemble a frame from components and have a custom mat and glass cut to keep the price down if you can't find a ready-made frame that works. Another thought is a larger frame and a double-cut mat for them both.

I have framed some really weird stuff. How much I love it matters more than its value.

[aspentosh]

I need to find something like this, but for a canvas. It's harder than it seems