The framing experience
Custom picture framing can be intimidating to many people for several reasons, including: (1) They have never had anything custom framed; (2) There are just so many choices to make (Which frame? Which mat? Do I need dry mounting? Etc.); and/or (3) They think it is expensive.
We will do everything possible to minimize stress and make the whole process as enjoyable for you as possible. It should be fun to turn a keepsake, diploma, or photo into something beautiful that you can enjoy for years.
There are cheaply-made framed items at many 'decorator outlet' stores which can decorate your walls, but you can have custom-made, one-of-a-kind custom framing done at reasonable prices, too. Custom framing can be expensive, but we buy in large quantities, stock everything we sell, and always strive to provide the best value possible. PLEASE compare prices - you'll always end up at House of Frames, where our everyday prices meet or beat the '50% off' prices of our competitors.
We will also do everything we can to explain the framing process and make you comfortable with what the framing possibilities are for your treasured item.
We will do everything possible to minimize stress and make the whole process as enjoyable for you as possible. It should be fun to turn a keepsake, diploma, or photo into something beautiful that you can enjoy for years.
There are cheaply-made framed items at many 'decorator outlet' stores which can decorate your walls, but you can have custom-made, one-of-a-kind custom framing done at reasonable prices, too. Custom framing can be expensive, but we buy in large quantities, stock everything we sell, and always strive to provide the best value possible. PLEASE compare prices - you'll always end up at House of Frames, where our everyday prices meet or beat the '50% off' prices of our competitors.
We will also do everything we can to explain the framing process and make you comfortable with what the framing possibilities are for your treasured item.
Our framing facilities
There are several pieces of specialized equipment that custom framers use (double miter saws, pneumatic underpinners, computerized mat cutters, etc.). Being the size framing operation that we are, we have some equipment that most other frame shops don't even have. In fact, several of the large, national 'big box' craft stores with framing departments come to us to re-cut and join their frames that are miscut by their 'distribution center' in another city because those local stores do not have that capability. We also perform services for many local frame shops that don't have adequate room for certain aspects of a job, don't have large enough equipment to handle the work, don't have the state-of-the-art equipment necessary, or don't have the expertise for a project.
Although we have the capabilities of handling the largest commercial projects, we devote all of our attention and resources to each and every framing job that comes in the door.
Although we have the capabilities of handling the largest commercial projects, we devote all of our attention and resources to each and every framing job that comes in the door.
Turnaround time
When it comes right down to it, it really doesn't take all that long to cut a frame, join it, cut the mats, dry mount the poster, cut the glass, fit the poster in the frame, and finish the frame.
Many frame shops provide long turnaround times for two primary reasons: (1) they don't do the work on site and/or (2) they don't stock the material for the job they just sold.
We stock over 800 different picture frame mouldings and over 1,200 different matboards on site, at our immediate disposal. We don't have to wait until the end of the day to place an order with our local supplier - we are the supplier!
Our turnaround times are based on the needs of the customer - we have often completed custom frame projects for procrastinating shoppers on Christmas Eve. Try getting that done anywhere else!
A recent loyal customer from another town came by and we completed her frame job while she went to lunch so she wouldn't have to make a special trip back to town just to pick it up.
Some projects demand more time to complete than others, but we will always strive to work within your timetable for completion.
Many frame shops provide long turnaround times for two primary reasons: (1) they don't do the work on site and/or (2) they don't stock the material for the job they just sold.
We stock over 800 different picture frame mouldings and over 1,200 different matboards on site, at our immediate disposal. We don't have to wait until the end of the day to place an order with our local supplier - we are the supplier!
Our turnaround times are based on the needs of the customer - we have often completed custom frame projects for procrastinating shoppers on Christmas Eve. Try getting that done anywhere else!
A recent loyal customer from another town came by and we completed her frame job while she went to lunch so she wouldn't have to make a special trip back to town just to pick it up.
Some projects demand more time to complete than others, but we will always strive to work within your timetable for completion.
What services do we offer?
We do just about everything that is conceivable for a professional frame shop, plus some more. Most of our work is 'custom framing' and we do all levels of framing within that, from conservation framing to commercial framing to framing 'refrigerator art'.
We also have a lot of ready made frames, photo frames, prints, posters, and framing accessories. We sell mirrors, brass plates, maps, and easels. We also offer varying levels of framing for those who wish to do part of the work themselves - we sell length moulding to some, cut and unjoined frames to others, full sheets of matboard to some, and most of our regular framing services are available in bits and pieces as well, from dry mounting, cutting glass, cutting mat openings, etc.
We are preparing a lot of 'signature mats' for weddings, retirements, and graduations. We frame stained glass windows, jerseys, flags, medals, and awards. We frame guitars, golf balls, and guns.
We stretch canvas (paintings, giclees, etc.) for normal framing or 'gallery wrapped' for the edges to show.
We can also pick up and deliver work, and we install framing as well. We have shipped framed items across the country and even overseas.
We also have a lot of ready made frames, photo frames, prints, posters, and framing accessories. We sell mirrors, brass plates, maps, and easels. We also offer varying levels of framing for those who wish to do part of the work themselves - we sell length moulding to some, cut and unjoined frames to others, full sheets of matboard to some, and most of our regular framing services are available in bits and pieces as well, from dry mounting, cutting glass, cutting mat openings, etc.
We are preparing a lot of 'signature mats' for weddings, retirements, and graduations. We frame stained glass windows, jerseys, flags, medals, and awards. We frame guitars, golf balls, and guns.
We stretch canvas (paintings, giclees, etc.) for normal framing or 'gallery wrapped' for the edges to show.
We can also pick up and deliver work, and we install framing as well. We have shipped framed items across the country and even overseas.
A little more about pricing.
We have stressed several times that our pricing meets or beats the '50% discounted' price of the big box craft stores. And we don't say that to try to keep you from going to those stores. In fact, we encourage you to go to those stores and get a price quote. Then come see us - not to 'match' their price but to get our everyday price. Compare.
Yes, custom picture framing can seem expensive sometimes. But that doesn't mean that you should go somewhere just because they 'seem' like they'd have the best prices (they are BIG, they advertise a lot, they have huge discount coupons). We have had lots of first-time customers bring us an expensive print to be framed and tell us something like, "I usually take little frame jobs to 'XYZ Craft Store', but I wanted to make sure this is framed right." What?! They have overpaid to frame something they didn't care much about, but they will now (unknowingly) get a great value on what they were willing to pay a lot to get framed.
That makes no sense. But it is a misconception that we deal with regularly - people tend to think those large craft stores must have the best prices because they are big, they sell lots of little imported 'thingies' for next-to-nothing, and they have lots of locations.
But if someone is happy to knock 50% off their prices, doesn't that tell you something about their original prices?
If your framing decision is to be based on solely on pricing, we are happy to compare our prices with anyone's. We just ask that you compare prices, not the perception of prices.
Yes, custom picture framing can seem expensive sometimes. But that doesn't mean that you should go somewhere just because they 'seem' like they'd have the best prices (they are BIG, they advertise a lot, they have huge discount coupons). We have had lots of first-time customers bring us an expensive print to be framed and tell us something like, "I usually take little frame jobs to 'XYZ Craft Store', but I wanted to make sure this is framed right." What?! They have overpaid to frame something they didn't care much about, but they will now (unknowingly) get a great value on what they were willing to pay a lot to get framed.
That makes no sense. But it is a misconception that we deal with regularly - people tend to think those large craft stores must have the best prices because they are big, they sell lots of little imported 'thingies' for next-to-nothing, and they have lots of locations.
But if someone is happy to knock 50% off their prices, doesn't that tell you something about their original prices?
If your framing decision is to be based on solely on pricing, we are happy to compare our prices with anyone's. We just ask that you compare prices, not the perception of prices.
What about 'conservation framing'?
Frame shops everywhere often stress how they concentrate on 'conservation framing' (or 'museum framing' or 'preservation framing'). And quite honestly, any professional framer knows how to and does employ 'conservation framing' techniques. We are certainly no exception.
However, we do not arrogantly try to push 'conservation framing' on every customer for every project. Such framing does cost more as different materials and techniques are required. ('Different' does not necessarily equate to 'better quality'.) We certainly recommend conservation framing where appropriate, but we believe the decision on whether to spend a bit extra to 'preserve' something is your decision. Some items have intrinsic or sentimental value that needs to be preserved; other items may be more decorative or temporary and 'preservation for the ages' isn't important.
We know of one frame shop (a national chain) that puts UV glass on every project. UV-filtering glass is NOT better quality glass - it filters UV rays which can harm artwork exposed to the UV rays for a period of time. But UV glass also costs about twice what regular glass costs. If you are framing some 'refrigerator art' or an item that will hang where there will be miminal (if any) exposure to UV rays, shouldn't it be your choice whether to spend the extra money for UV glass? It is at House of Frames.
We would be happy to discuss any aspects of 'conservation framing' with you and answer any questions you may have.
However, we do not arrogantly try to push 'conservation framing' on every customer for every project. Such framing does cost more as different materials and techniques are required. ('Different' does not necessarily equate to 'better quality'.) We certainly recommend conservation framing where appropriate, but we believe the decision on whether to spend a bit extra to 'preserve' something is your decision. Some items have intrinsic or sentimental value that needs to be preserved; other items may be more decorative or temporary and 'preservation for the ages' isn't important.
We know of one frame shop (a national chain) that puts UV glass on every project. UV-filtering glass is NOT better quality glass - it filters UV rays which can harm artwork exposed to the UV rays for a period of time. But UV glass also costs about twice what regular glass costs. If you are framing some 'refrigerator art' or an item that will hang where there will be miminal (if any) exposure to UV rays, shouldn't it be your choice whether to spend the extra money for UV glass? It is at House of Frames.
We would be happy to discuss any aspects of 'conservation framing' with you and answer any questions you may have.
Do you need some framing ideas?
There are lots of framing possibilities for both gift-giving and remembering special events such as:
Births: You can frame birth announcements, photos, hospital 'foot prints', or you can even insert photos behind letter cut-outs of the baby's name.
Birthdays: You can treat someone by framing something that has special meaning to them; something that may just be sitting around or in a box somewhere - a momento from a vacation, items from military service, something they made or painted, or maybe something you made for them.
Gradautions: Diplomas, announcements, graduation portraits, tassels, and mortar boards are all great things to have framed.
Weddings: Certainly wedding portraits and invitations are great framing projects, but most newlywed couples will need framed art and mirrors for their home. 'Signature mats' are great idea for weddings as well.
Anniversaries: Framing 'then' and 'now' photos and photos of the years along the way are great ideas. Also, for milestone anniversaries, you can have mementos framed for display. Again, 'signature mats' are great for anniversary parties to allow well-wishers to express their thoughts on a permanent display.
Vacations: Photos and souvenirs from vacations are great framing ideas.
Personal Events: Also, there are events in everyones' lives that deserve preserving and displaying for future enjoyment: photos of baby's first steps, baptism photos and gowns, photo and lock of hair from baby's first haircut, first day of school photo, first report card, special school art projects, school awards, scouting or other accomplishments, sports/music awards, newspaper clippings, business recognition and awards, family mementos that are sitting in a box in a closet, a new portrait after a makeover.
Personal Nostalgia: Display and enjoy some of the items that bring back special memories: an album or C.D. of a special song, tickets from a favorite event, a signed cast from a broken arm, an autograph (on a napkin, baseball, guitar, etc.), eyeglasses, necklace, or pocket watch from a grandparent, a collection of stamps, coins, or arrowheads, a letter received from someone special, a menu from a special restaurant or special meal, an old land grant for family property, or an old family name crest.
Births: You can frame birth announcements, photos, hospital 'foot prints', or you can even insert photos behind letter cut-outs of the baby's name.
Birthdays: You can treat someone by framing something that has special meaning to them; something that may just be sitting around or in a box somewhere - a momento from a vacation, items from military service, something they made or painted, or maybe something you made for them.
Gradautions: Diplomas, announcements, graduation portraits, tassels, and mortar boards are all great things to have framed.
Weddings: Certainly wedding portraits and invitations are great framing projects, but most newlywed couples will need framed art and mirrors for their home. 'Signature mats' are great idea for weddings as well.
Anniversaries: Framing 'then' and 'now' photos and photos of the years along the way are great ideas. Also, for milestone anniversaries, you can have mementos framed for display. Again, 'signature mats' are great for anniversary parties to allow well-wishers to express their thoughts on a permanent display.
Vacations: Photos and souvenirs from vacations are great framing ideas.
Personal Events: Also, there are events in everyones' lives that deserve preserving and displaying for future enjoyment: photos of baby's first steps, baptism photos and gowns, photo and lock of hair from baby's first haircut, first day of school photo, first report card, special school art projects, school awards, scouting or other accomplishments, sports/music awards, newspaper clippings, business recognition and awards, family mementos that are sitting in a box in a closet, a new portrait after a makeover.
Personal Nostalgia: Display and enjoy some of the items that bring back special memories: an album or C.D. of a special song, tickets from a favorite event, a signed cast from a broken arm, an autograph (on a napkin, baseball, guitar, etc.), eyeglasses, necklace, or pocket watch from a grandparent, a collection of stamps, coins, or arrowheads, a letter received from someone special, a menu from a special restaurant or special meal, an old land grant for family property, or an old family name crest.