Why are Picture Frames Costly

Custom Frames can be a costly affair and especially intimidating for those who are getting it done for the first time. The frame, matting, glazing, etc. all adds up to an amount which is more than what the customer has in mind. It is not uncommon for customers to feel cheated or go for a much cheaper ready-made option after knowing the cost involved. Hence, it is important to understand the frame value chain, in order to fully appreciate the cost involved in framing.

Value Chain

To understand the framing value chain, it is important to understand how a wooden boards are turned into a molding and quality that is desired for custom picture framing.

Wooden board needs to be cut into shape on turning bit at a high speed. This way we get the desired shape and size of the frame. The benefit of this process is customized, intricate design which is as per customer exact specification. The uniqueness of this process and workmanship, therefore make it expensive to produce. There would be a visual difference between a hand cut frame and a mass produced frame. This is the primary reason hand cut frames are costlier than other kind of frames.

Post this process, the molding is providers a high quality finish by coating it with quality paint such as lacquer, gesso etc. The extra material and labor adds up to the cost, and the end product is an sophisticated looking frame with great aesthetics.

Journey from Manufacturer to Wholesaler

Once the molding is ready to be shipped, next in value chain lays the wholesaler. The packaging required for the molding depends on the size of the mold and brings an extra cost of packaging, transport with it. A framing wholesaler’s mark-up will be anywhere between 10% and 50% and often they sell their inventory in a very small area, thus charging premium for this facility.

Journey from Wholesaler to Retailer

This is where most significant mark-up happens in the whole value chain. i.e. between shopkeeper and consumer . On an average a store can mark-up the price to as high as 400% . So the question arises is Why?

We need to understand the economics of running a shop. In case of a molding manufacturer, they have the option to sell to the whole country from one place, but for a frame shop next door, who has a target consumer base of a neighborhood it is quite difficult to generate high volumes. Generating volume is a problem for these retailers, hence to earn profit and pay of their bills the prices are marked-up. This is especially applicable on a Mom and Pop shops who sell considerably less frames when compared to a huge retail chain, hence a Mom and Pop store sells frame for more money than a popular chain store.

In today’s day and age, there are other avenues to buy frame. Buying frames online can be a cheaper option but customization offered online is minimal. There is also very less assistance and guidance available online. These online stores may provide video or tutorials, but nothing beats a face to face interaction with an experienced framer. But then as we discussed this comes with a price tag.

Eventually a decision to buy frame should be made based on your requirement and budget. If customer does not have an idea about the custom picture frame, then buying online can be a bad idea. In that case, face to face sale is best form of option. Online option is only best when you want a reasonable frame, with no customization at a cheaper budget.

What do you look for while going for expert custom picture framing

Custom framing is an art of framing which requires skilled craftsmanship, years of experience and gives the option of customizing your frame as per your requirement. It also helps in protecting your art and displaying it in the best way possible. In custom framing you are free to choose your material, design and layout to show your picture as per your liking.

Key things to consider when choosing custom framing:
Do not choose big chain store to get your framing done:
In big chain store you do not exactly know who is going to do the framing for you. The person at the counter who does the designing for you has minimal training and experience. You are almost guaranteed not to be satisfied with the result that you receive at the end of this process. Under no condition should you give your valuable art to big chain stores as more or less they do a bulk production job without much deliberation to quality.

Material Quality:
Always insist for a good quality molding.  A bad quality molding warps, fade and destroy the picture over time. Best quality molding are made hardwood and is acid free.

Glass:
Quality framers always use only highest quality glass which helps in protecting screen my harmful UV rays and also prevent glare from direct light. There are generally 2 types of glass in market Anti-Glare glass which reduces glare, UV rays reduction glass which reduces UV light entering the glass and also combination of both i.e. anti-glare as well as UV protecting glass.

Matting:
This is probably the most complicated part of buying a frame. Mats can be made of cardboard or other materials that can serve as a frame within a frame. The frame separates picture from direct contact to the glass. Small air space between photograph and glass also prevents moisture build up. A mat can be decorated as per photograph’s specification- colored, decorated or pure white.

Conservation Materials:
Conservation materials are mats and mounting materials and they should be made of acid free material. Everything that is in contact with the artwork should be acid free. Mats and mounting material should also, not only be acid free but should have the quality to absorb air-born contaminates that has the ability to damage your art.

Custom made frames are best used to preserve family heirloom or irreplaceable artwork and should be always done by experienced framers. This is the reason why custom are often expensive as they tend to be made of high quality materials. Hope after following the above key points you would be able to create a frame which is accentuates your work and displays it in the highest quality possible for everyone to admire everyday.

7 Step for Custom Picture Framing

A framed artwork helps to protect your artwork from environmental conditions and will visually enhance your art or painting. Frame give a complete touch to your painting and make it glorious and attractive. There are also practical and economical considerations which the artist must remember a framed paintings are sold more easily and quickly than an unframed one.

Framing your painting requires both good selection and some basic framing knowledge to ensure proper safety of your artwork. Your personal taste is called upon when choosing the shape, size and color of the frame and mat. The more knowledge you have about conservation and the environmental hazards, the better you will protect your artwork from it.

This days people are found of having paintings for their home decor, they demand an attractive look for the paintings. This look is only possible through applying frame on your paintings, frames which have traditional look are more eye catching as they are crafted with hand crafted designs.

There are various types of frames available nowadays, which has enlarged the choice of people and helps to get the best combination for their choice.

1) Frame

Frame is a very basic platform of the whole framing process. A frame can have different type, shape, size and color. Wooden frame, Metal frame, plastic frame and glass frame are basic types of frames. Shape consist of a box (square or rectangle), oval, circle, triangle and so.

2) Mat Board

Utilizing a mat will creates a professional looking artwork at a low cost and supports the fine art while protecting it from touching the glass. Quality mat boards which are acid-free should be used as it will protect your artwork getting damaged from dust and other atmospheric particle. It's up to you to decide whether you want to frame art with a plain, colored or textured mat. Generally, artists use plain white mat with art as it gives more glove to your art.

3) Attaching Art Work

After Cutting mats the next step is attaching your artwork. While attaching art work keep in mind by using acid-free tape for fixing art and hold it in place. When you frame artwork, tape the art to the back of the mat board.

4) Frame your art behind an acrylic or glass surface.

It's with you that you want your artwork on acrylic or on glass surface select the best suitable for your art. Acrylic is a better insulator and much lighter than glass. It is also shatterproof. However, acrylic can cause static electricity, so never place charcoal and pastel artwork behind it. Cost of glass is less as compared to acrylic, but it can create a glare.

5) Fix glass in the frame.

The mat with your art will be fixed beneath the glass. Fix the glass with the frame and cleaning the inner glass with a soft liquid and make it ready for the final stage.

6) Seal it with backboard.

At last seal the back with a board, the material of backboard should be acid-free so that it will protect your art for a long period of time. There is a paper between this board and mat with art, paper has been just a purpose of safety.

7) Completed

Now your art is framed completely and you may put where you want it to be. You will notice that the artwork having frame became more attractive than before.

So, at last framing is a very important for your artwork or paintings, they give a unique look to your paintings. 

6 Clever ways you can re-use your old & trashy picture frames to decorate your home

Common people just throw away their beautiful picture frames out of their homes as soon as they get older (and quit looking as glamorous as they used to be). But if you could see them from an artist's eye, you could never do that.

Know why? because those little pieces of crafts still have the same beauty. The only thing that changed is the charm they had.

Being artists, we at PaintBox , know it very well that old is really gold. So we are here at your help to teach you something that might never get older even if your frames get. Here are the six ways you can re-purpose your old frames and use them as beautiful pieces of crafts for decorating your home.

1st- Make an art by re-arranging multiple frames

You can just simply take multiple frames, cut them, paste them the way you want & make beautiful crafts like the home shown below or just randomly hang them on your drawing room wall. It will always look good (if done with a bit good sense of art).

2nd- Use it as your Jewelry holder

Why don't use your old picture frames as jewelry holders? Trust me, it will look great. You simply have  to have the backing board of frame screwed with hooks upon which you could hang the jewelry or you could stretch few crafted knits along it & show off your jewelry with it.

3rd- Use it as mirror frame

Old picture frames look beautiful when used as mirror frames. I think i don't have to describe you more as pictures say themselves.

5th- Repaint & upcycle.

If your picture frame is old but not-so-worn, This one is good option. Just spray-paint the picture frame with shiny & beautiful colors and they will be ready to decorate again. You could use these naked frames directly as decorative pieces or you could use them again just like new frames.

6th- Make a cholkboard out of it.

You can also use your old frame as frame of your blackboard. This simple cute blackboard can be used to leave messages and quotes. Parallelly it would serve you as a piece of decor too.

Here below are few other great examples of re-purposed old frames. Hope you enjoyed this post.

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image source : pinterest.com

Canvas Art Custom Picture Framing

In earlier days of its emergence (almost few hundred years ago) frames were merely carved and colored pieces of woods hanging on walls at homes of posh people, usually kings and their fellows. But scenario is quite different today. People now use beautiful frames to decorate almost every space from cozy cabins to huge palaces and from personal offices to public museums. With emergence of contemporary art concepts, people began to frame almost everything to preserve it for years in its ideal condition. Custom Art Framing is a great way to preserve anything you love and want always to be in your memories.

There are many things you may have stored carefully in your cupboards or old chest boxes which you may retrieve while cleaning your house or renovating the things. But have you ever though those things would look even beautiful when framed and swanked in your drawing rooms or guest rooms. Here are ideas about few cute, memorable and beautiful things you can actually get framed and preserved to display at your favorite places and to show to your friends, family or anybody that matters that much.

1. Childhood Memories :

You can get your childhood achievements or cute and naughty childhood photos picture framed. It may include anything like your first casual shirt, your drama winning certificate, your first gold medal or your tiny shoes.

2. Family Photos :
Family photos looks great on your home walls. They are true pieces of happiness and such a beautiful moments which you would never want to forget and show off.

3. Trophies :
Prizes and trophies which you have got for your skills, special achievements and acts of honour are really things worth showing off. You get it with a great combination or co-incidence of hard work, confidence and luck. So why don't show it off?

4. Collectibles :
Whether you are an enthusiastic collectionist you might have collection of something. One of our customers had a set of various sizes of nails. It can be a set of antique watches or your grandfather's clothes or postal tickets or anything.

5. Wedding Memories :
Marriage is, without any doubt, too important event of a person's life. These are moments one will always love to remember and be in forever. Why don't get your marriage photos printed and picture framed by some really best framers.

6. Pet Portraits :
Your cute, innocent pets are also a part of your family. They have always served you with un-conditional love. Get their photos framed and place them at your favorite places.

7. Memories :
Remember your son's first drawing of a dinosaur with a bone in his mouth that was actually supposed to be a dog? “Of course” you would say. So why don't have it framed with a colorful picture frame?

8. Mirrors :
Want to feel like a king everyday? Get your mirror framed with royal looking woods. Most of people watch their face in mirrors every morning. Even your guests will appreciate the beautiful mirror when they see themselves in it.

9. ArtWorks :
Anything that is artistic can be art framing nyc and would look beautiful when framed by best framers. It may be painting you purchased from an auction, a photo of jesus, or a beautiful self drawn piece of art.