Picture Framing is an expensive process, even if the consumer buys ready made frames and does the work himself - assuming the shape and size will fit. Although a ready made frame in a standard size is less expensive than a custom frame, the consumer gets what he pays for. Some of these frames are not made of real wood. And if they are, it is often soft pine. Hardwoods and metals are best to support the weight of glass and to secure the screw eyes and other devices that hold the picture wire. I think the economic approach is the way to go when it works. But what about framing things that are of value and do not fit a standard sized, factory made frame? And what if the consumer cares a great deal about how it looks? This situation calls for custom framing.
The cost of custom framing by a professional is based on six things:
1. Matting: A mat provides an attractive border around the art, diploma, photo, etc. It prevents the framed object from coming into direct contact with the glass. Price is determined by the size and quality of the boards used for the job - i.e. paper mats, acid free mats, or archival Ragboard. Double and triple mats will double or triple the price. Matting is not always required. Paintings on a stretched canvas do not require a mat or glass.
2. Mounting: The picture or object should be mounted in a particular way on standard or acid free materials - then attached to the mat on the back. The type of mounting and quality of the board depend on the job. The framer will use museum mounting, dry mounting, or float mounting. For example: Original Art on paper requires Museum Mounting on archival boards with archival tape. A simple, inexpensive poster can be dry mounted on firm material.
3. Glass or Plexiglass: Glass is necessary when the job calls for it. Art on paper or photographs require glass. And the type of glass the framer will use- i.e regular glass, non glare, or archival UV glass - is determined by the size and importance of the object being framed. UV glass is more expensive but it offers additional protection from the effects of light on inks, dyes, and pigments. Plexiglass is made of plastics and is often used on larger pieces to reduce the weight. It is available with UV protection and it can be very pricey. But plexiglass can scratch easily and must be cleaned with a special acrylic solution, not glass cleaner.
4. Frame Moulding: Picture frames create a defined border around the artwork, etc., and hold everything together. They are made of synthetics, metal, soft wood, or hardwood. Mouldings vary in price based on size, level of quality, width, depth, and complexity of design. A simple hardwood frame with a narrow profile is less expensive than a wide and heavy ornate frame.
5. Fitting charge: This is the price charged for skilled labor to clean the glass, remove particles from the mat, put everything together, secure the pieces on the back with a point driver (to hold in place), seal the back with backing paper, and attach the hanging devices with picture wire. The costs of matting and mounting materials, glass, and skilled labor for any framing job are calculated using a "framing cost scale" based on united inches (height plus width). The cost of the moulding is added to that total and is based on price per foot. Does this sound complicated? Yes it is! My point is that framing is expensive because it is not simple - and it is labor intensive. It takes me 15 hours to properly sew down and frame a sports jersey in a shadowbox mat and frame. Some of the expenses that the framer will incur to keep his doors open include the ongoing costs of the framer's workspace, heat and air, equipment, materials, inventory, and waste. Sometimes accidents will occur which cause the loss of materials and the costs of replacement. For example: Recently I was putting a metallic French line on a special double mat using a "paint pen" and the paint suddenly leaked out and ruined the mat. Not only did I have to replace the two sheets of matboard but it added 1.5 hours of skilled labor to re-create the special mat.
6. Sales Tax: Sales tax is added to the total cost of the finished picture frame job. In Charlotte, North Carolina, sales tax is 7.25%. So a $200 frame in Charlotte will actually cost $214.50.
Choosing a Picture Framer: I have worked for clients who contracted me to take framed pictures apart and completely redo them in new materials. Once I got them apart, I was horrified by what I found inside. In one case, the client had been told that the framed piece was museum mounted with acid free materials. The mat was acid free. However, what I found inside was a valuable 19th century engraving taped directly to the mat with dry rotted Scotch Tape. The engraving was not mounted on anything. And it was backed with corrugated cardboard that came in direct contact with the artwork. Corrugate is used for shipping boxes because it is cheap. And it contains so much acid that - over time - it will ruin anything made of paper that it comes in direct contact with. The average consumer probably doesn't know this. But a reputable, experienced picture framer does. So choose a picture framer who has a track record of satisfied customers. Ask people that you know where they have gotten things framed and if they are happy. When you do find a framer, ask questions. Get him or her to explain what is best for your framing assignment and why. Ask who will actually do the work and what their qualifications are. There is a big difference between a Master Framer and a minimum wage employee with very little training or experience. Whenever possible, go with the Master Framer.
The cost of custom framing by a professional is based on six things:
1. Matting: A mat provides an attractive border around the art, diploma, photo, etc. It prevents the framed object from coming into direct contact with the glass. Price is determined by the size and quality of the boards used for the job - i.e. paper mats, acid free mats, or archival Ragboard. Double and triple mats will double or triple the price. Matting is not always required. Paintings on a stretched canvas do not require a mat or glass.
2. Mounting: The picture or object should be mounted in a particular way on standard or acid free materials - then attached to the mat on the back. The type of mounting and quality of the board depend on the job. The framer will use museum mounting, dry mounting, or float mounting. For example: Original Art on paper requires Museum Mounting on archival boards with archival tape. A simple, inexpensive poster can be dry mounted on firm material.
3. Glass or Plexiglass: Glass is necessary when the job calls for it. Art on paper or photographs require glass. And the type of glass the framer will use- i.e regular glass, non glare, or archival UV glass - is determined by the size and importance of the object being framed. UV glass is more expensive but it offers additional protection from the effects of light on inks, dyes, and pigments. Plexiglass is made of plastics and is often used on larger pieces to reduce the weight. It is available with UV protection and it can be very pricey. But plexiglass can scratch easily and must be cleaned with a special acrylic solution, not glass cleaner.
4. Frame Moulding: Picture frames create a defined border around the artwork, etc., and hold everything together. They are made of synthetics, metal, soft wood, or hardwood. Mouldings vary in price based on size, level of quality, width, depth, and complexity of design. A simple hardwood frame with a narrow profile is less expensive than a wide and heavy ornate frame.
5. Fitting charge: This is the price charged for skilled labor to clean the glass, remove particles from the mat, put everything together, secure the pieces on the back with a point driver (to hold in place), seal the back with backing paper, and attach the hanging devices with picture wire. The costs of matting and mounting materials, glass, and skilled labor for any framing job are calculated using a "framing cost scale" based on united inches (height plus width). The cost of the moulding is added to that total and is based on price per foot. Does this sound complicated? Yes it is! My point is that framing is expensive because it is not simple - and it is labor intensive. It takes me 15 hours to properly sew down and frame a sports jersey in a shadowbox mat and frame. Some of the expenses that the framer will incur to keep his doors open include the ongoing costs of the framer's workspace, heat and air, equipment, materials, inventory, and waste. Sometimes accidents will occur which cause the loss of materials and the costs of replacement. For example: Recently I was putting a metallic French line on a special double mat using a "paint pen" and the paint suddenly leaked out and ruined the mat. Not only did I have to replace the two sheets of matboard but it added 1.5 hours of skilled labor to re-create the special mat.
6. Sales Tax: Sales tax is added to the total cost of the finished picture frame job. In Charlotte, North Carolina, sales tax is 7.25%. So a $200 frame in Charlotte will actually cost $214.50.
Choosing a Picture Framer: I have worked for clients who contracted me to take framed pictures apart and completely redo them in new materials. Once I got them apart, I was horrified by what I found inside. In one case, the client had been told that the framed piece was museum mounted with acid free materials. The mat was acid free. However, what I found inside was a valuable 19th century engraving taped directly to the mat with dry rotted Scotch Tape. The engraving was not mounted on anything. And it was backed with corrugated cardboard that came in direct contact with the artwork. Corrugate is used for shipping boxes because it is cheap. And it contains so much acid that - over time - it will ruin anything made of paper that it comes in direct contact with. The average consumer probably doesn't know this. But a reputable, experienced picture framer does. So choose a picture framer who has a track record of satisfied customers. Ask people that you know where they have gotten things framed and if they are happy. When you do find a framer, ask questions. Get him or her to explain what is best for your framing assignment and why. Ask who will actually do the work and what their qualifications are. There is a big difference between a Master Framer and a minimum wage employee with very little training or experience. Whenever possible, go with the Master Framer.