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Repeat after me: your frame is not your leading lady! She is the supporting actress. She is not the hero, she is the guide.
For the last couple of articles, I have been sharing all kinds of tips on framing your new photographs or art prints. From protection to framing materials, from numbers to art savers, I unpacked my best keys to think about when you get a new piece of art. (if you haven’t yet, here are those articles).
In this article, I want to share some resources that I believe will be helpful to get you what you need.
I love working face to face with professionals! Their creative eyes and experience is so helpful when it comes to putting the final touches on your investment. They tend to be an invaluable resource. I appreciate how they listen to me describe the space and style and share my art with them. Also, I’m a big fan of supporting local businesses!
Don’t forget to do your research here though! Find trustworthy businesses that value excellence, craftsmanship, customer service. And finish the work in a timely manner.
Framebridge is an online all-in-one stop for framing. The thing that stands out to me with this great company, is that you can= send them your artwork, and they’ll frame it for you. Or you can customize your frame, and they will send it to you to put together on your own. It can sound like a challenge to some, but they make it pretty easy for you. Their selection of modern frame styles is decent.
The other thing that stands out to me with this company is their predesigned assorted gallery wall offers. I love their fabulous already-sized-and-picked-out assorted gallery walls! They even send you a template to tape to your wall that makes hanging the tricky gallery wall simple and perfect.
Metroframe.com has great reviews! To be honest, I haven’t used them YET, but I’m already in love. Their work and customization look fabulous. The next time I need to get a custom frame some art (which is hopefully very soon!), I’m going to try them out! After reading the website, it looks like you pick out your preferred frame, matting, spacers, type of glass, backing, etc. Then they build it for you specifically and ship it to you safely. When it arrives, you just pop your artwork in the display and hang it up carefully.
Frame it easy. Uh, yes please! These guys speak my love language and had me at their name! I haven’t used them yet either, but their reviews look strong. They are also on my list to try out.
They seem very similar to metroframe, but perhaps with have a few less options then metroframe.com. They seem a bit more economical and have great customer service.
These stores usually have a decent selection of custom and “off the shelf” options. I’m unfamiliar with the custom framing at these stores. But like most off-the-shelf services, you usually get what you pay for. These are my go-to places when I’m framing something a standard size and that’s inexpensive and I don’t’ need to last a long time. They are also my last-minute-gotta-have-something-today place.
This is a great economical option for my Open Edition artworks sizes. I buy an 11x14 or 16x20 “open frame.” But that means I have to but the glass, mat, and backing separately. I purchase a mat to fit the frame with an 8x10 or 5x7 opening.
I can pull this DIY frame off easily because I have all kinds of framing materials at home, like the little specialized “puncher” you use to hold the art in place in the back (I don’t know what they are technically called but they are cool!), hanging hardware, and lint sprayer and glass cleaner.
There are literally thousands of farmers out there. Do your research. Ask people you trust about who they like and don’t like. If you need to, don’t hesitate to do some tests with your framer before you start a big framing project.
If time, money, and capacity are not a deal-breaker - just make the effort to go to your local, trustworthy framer! It can be so helpful to talk face to face with someone who can see your art and your space. Even if you don’t end outgoing with them, hearing them talk about your display will be very educational.
But whatever you do….my biggest advice is this:
For the love of love, do not leave your art in storage waiting to be framed someday. I’ve never heard someone say, oh man I wish I would have waited longer to frame my art.You bought the art because itmoved you. It did something for you, inside of you. Love yourself welll and make the time to finish it off. Follow through with your vision and you will be SO happy to have it displayed!
I believe art has the power to transform a space and inspire you daily. Finish it off with the perfect frame… and then. hang. it. Up!
If you have any questions regarding framing my prints, don’t hesitate to reach out! I love to support your finishing touches!
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Part 1 of 3: The Biggest Rule of Framing Artwork.
Part 2 of 3: The Best Framing Tips So Your Frame Doesn’t Steal the Show or Ruin It.
Part 3 of 3: Great Resources to Frame Your New Art Prints.
