Where to buy frames?

Should you buy a frame from a store or have one made to order?

You’re in a hurry! You need a frame for a photo from a sports event that you want to gift to a friend. What do you do? You rush to the nearest store and grab whatever you find. Of course, standard, ready-made frames are a cheap and quick solution, but as soon as you try to put the photo in the frame, you’ll realize they can be a real headache.

So, let’s lay out all the pros and cons so you won’t have to think long when it comes time to frame a special piece. A store-bought frame will always fall short compared to a custom-made frame in four categories: appearance, size, construction, and versatility.

It may seem that these criteria are too pretentious for an ordinary photo. We often hear: "It’s not like it’s a work of art." It may not hang in a museum, but if you plan to display it in your living room or gift it to a friend – then it’s important enough. So, don’t throw your money away and do it right from the start.

Appearance

A factory-made frame will look cheap. It’s not unique, and cheap laminate is no better than free perfume samples. When you visit a professional framing workshop, you’ll have a much larger selection and the chance to find a frame that complements your photo or artwork. Good framers will ensure everything looks great.

Size

When we say "size," we mean "shape." Sure, you’ll find a large enough ready-made frame for any item, but is it the right shape? The frames displayed on store shelves are made to standard sizes.

You might be lucky and your photo is also a standard size, but even if it is, be cautious. If the frame’s dimensions perfectly match the photo’s, it means there’s no space for a mat.

Our clients already know that a mat is not just for aesthetics. It prevents your artwork from touching the glass, which can damage the framed object. Meanwhile, framing workshops will create a perfectly sized frame to accommodate your desired mat.

Construction

This is a very important aspect, as poor quality will disappoint quickly and severely. Factory-made frames simply aren’t as high quality as custom-made ones.

Clients have come to us many times with broken glass because ready-made frames fell off the wall. Sometimes frames fall for other reasons, but in such cases, the frame always shatters. This happens due to the hanging method. Store-bought frames almost never have a hanging wire or string. Instead, they have a metal loop, as shown below.

A real hanging wire is not only a safer option but also easier to hang.

Both metal and wooden custom-made frames are joined differently than ready-made ones and are of much higher quality. In the photo, you can see that the wooden frame is joined with several staples, which hold it firmly. This allows for various artworks to be placed in them, making them more versatile.

Versatility

If you ever need to frame something more than just a photo – something heavier and thicker than paper – a store-bought frame will likely not suffice. Such frames simply lack depth.

Look at the depth of the frame on the left and right. That metal frame will need to hold the glass, the artwork, and at least the backing. Not to mention the mat. There’s likely just not enough space for all of that.

Even if a factory-made frame looks deep, there are clips at the back holding the backing, thus limiting the frame’s capacity. So, we promise that looking at a professionally framed artwork will bring you joy every day.

Visit our framing workshop – we’ll gladly help you choose the best frame for you.