How much is that doggie framing in the window? Art! Art!

custom framing cost

Truck Queen by Craig Gallaway

We often hear that a client doesn’t want to spend a lot of money to frame what they’ve just brought in for us to assist them with framing. The reality is that is true of most everyone and for most everything that comes through our doors. Another reality is we don’t want our clients to spend more than they want or need to either. What we do want is for the piece to look great, the client to be thrilled with the results but also confident their hard earned dollars were well spent.

Please keep in mind there is more to the cost of custom framing than the money you’ll spend. Our first objective is for each piece to look it’s best so we design first and foremost for the art or object itself. Some of the things we take into account are if the client has a vision of how they want it to look when it’s done, or where it will hang, or how large or small it needs to be when finished. One of the most important things to consider is that once you frame something it will likely stay that way for 10, 15, 20 years or even longer in some cases, so with that in mind we encourage everyone to consider the long term rewards not just the short term up front costs. This is why we use better materials on the front end. We want to create a better, safer environment for preservation for the long run. Knowing that we see a lot of damage from poor materials being used; we try to avoid that by suggesting conservation mats, UV protectant glass and proper mounting techniques to suit what is being framed.

Fall Dogs by Jane Marsahll

Fall Dogs by Jane Marshall

Another thing to consider about framing is that the cost of the artwork doesn’t make a difference if the same materials are being used and that goes for the frame, glass, mats, mounting technique or anything else within the framing. If it’s the same size and the same components are being used it will cost the same if you spent $2 or $20,000 on the art. Framing doesn’t discriminate a steal or an investment.

The main thing is to love the framed piece once you get it where it will be enjoyed by you or whomever is lucky enough to have a uniquely, custom-made creation.

by Karen Clanton