Guide to Framing

Basic parts of a frame

Getting a Price Quote on the Phone:

When you call a professional picture framer there is some basic information that will help them give you a more accurate price quote by phone.

When calling for a quote, here is the information they will need, with a more detailed explanation below:

  1. Size of artwork.
  2. Type of art (poster, textile, canvas, photograph, original art, etc.).
  3. General idea of width and color of frame you’d like.
  4. Mats around the art or not.
  5. Glass or Plexiglas

Size of Artwork: Measure the height and width.  This helps determine the amount of materials your art will require.

Type of Art: Each type of artwork has different material and labor   requirements.

  1. Posters – Most requested frame is a simple black.  Most posters are framed without mats, though that is an option.  If a mat is not used, there will need to be narrow spacers used between the glass and the art so they don’t touch.
  2. Textiles – This includes sports jerseys, silk embroideries, and needlepoint, anything that is made with fabric.  These require mounting onto a backing board and extra care.
  3. Canvas – This requires stretching on bars or mounting on a board.
  4. Photograph – These require either a mat board or spacers so the glass and photo don’t touch.
  5. Original art or limited edition art with a high value – These require conservation materials in the matting, backing board and a glass with light protective features.
  6. Objects – these require a deeper frame (called a “shadowbox”) and extra labor to secure them.

Frame Style:

  1. Frames are available in all colors, widths and prices.  Let your framer know if you want economy or average or higher end for price quotation purposes
  2. Width of frame becomes a factor on larger pictures.  A framer can put a skinny frame on a large job, but they will need to reinforce it, so there’s actually little price savings over a wider frame that is strong enough for the larger size art.

Matting:

  1. Mats are often used to give the art a “finished” look, or to add size, or to add color to the framed presentation.  Mats also serve the purpose of keeping the glass off the art.
  2. When matting, there is a top, wider mat and often another thin mat that shows on the inside edges.

Glass (sometimes referred to as “Glazing”):

  1. Most art requires the glass to protect it.  The exceptions are oil paintings and some textiles.
  2. There are options with glass, including non-glare, UV protected, and a combination of both.  Plexiglas is recommended for large framed art and also comes with similar options.

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