Why do picture framing prices vary between different framing shops is a question that almost every potential client of ours has probably thought about. Some of them have asked us why, saying they were quoted a cheaper price elsewhere and asked us to explain. Sometimes clients have informed us that that “elsewhere” was Mumbai, or Hong Kong…Well, we are going to explore this question in this article.
COST DIFFERENCES EXPLAINED
There are many places who advertise picture framing services and the cost differences between different framers and types of framers can be considerable, depending on what exactly is to be framed.
These cost differences can be puzzling at first. £165 to frame a football shirt with an internet framer, but £350 upwards with say, us. Why the difference? Shock horror!
Well, the adage “you get what you pay for” still rings true in picture framing as much as anywhere else.
As we have mentioned football shirt framing let’s continue using this example.
Why do picture framing prices vary between different framing shops is mainly due to the quality and professionalism of the framing process and the kind of materials used in the process.
Our shirt framing service, for example, is used by everyone from the fan in the street all the way up to Premier League Clubs, so we frame shirts to that standard. However, regardless of what a client would like framed, be it a holiday photograph taken on a phone to a sentimentally and / or monetary priceless work of art, then that shirt or artwork or phone photo should all be treated with the same expertise and care.
EXPERTISE
Expert picture framers will handle the artwork correctly. They will know how to steam the creases out of a football shirt without destroying the signature. And they will know how to stretch and mount it without making holes everywhere from staples and badly placed tags. You won’t find out later that duct tape and masking tape was used to hold parts of it in place, all of which are extremely damaging to the shirt. And we will never cut anything to make it fit into a frame that was made the wrong size. And yes, we have seen it all.
So, to conclude this section, a part of the cost differential for why picture framing costs vary between different frame shops is a due to a component that is not immediately visible, i.e., it’s the skill and knowledge of the craftspeople who will actually frame your artwork, shirt, cricket bat, film poster, medals, wedding dress, racing suit, mirror etc. We always say that why not choose your picture framer like you would pick the person to fix your knee? If you care about something enough to want to get it done, get it done right.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Often overlooked as a component in pricing. But it matters. Great customer service needs great people and a professional and dedicated team large enough to answer any question promptly and correctly.
For example, we have a dedicated and highly skilled Client Services Manager so all emails, calls, WhatsApp queries are answered quickly and expertly. And not only during our normal working times. You are welcome to contact us at any time and even if it is after hours, a Sunday or a Bank Holiday then we will do our best to pick-up or get back to you ASAP. We are here too if it is only advice, you are looking for, and yes, we have access to various other experts to cater for all your framing needs. This could mean conservators skilled in the repair and cleaning or works on paper or canvas, materials’ experts, professional installers, international art couriers, etc.
MATERIALS GENERALLY
A picture frame is made up of several different elements, and each part comes with multiple options. This means that if a client asks, for example, how much it is to frame say, a football shirt? Then a firm answer would require knowing the exact specification.
There are different tapes used to mount artworks into the frame. We use archival and reversable tapes, if needed, and we can also frame artworks if requested without any tape or fixings at all, something often requested when we frame precious music records.
As a case in point, we once received a Picasso print that was framed elsewhere. The framer had used masking tape to fix it into the mount but the oils from this product had leached into the print, and the damage was so great that even a conservator could do little to improve the staining.
Mountboards come in a wide variety of qualities, backing boards too, even the glazing. A frame arriving by post via an internet framer might be framed using a thin piece of Styrene. If plastic glass is required then we have different options, all suitable for picture framing all the way up to anti-reflective UV blocking museum standard.
IS ONE BLACK FRAME THE SAME AS ANOTHER?
Although a black picture frame may look the same as one from another framer, the quality can vary greatly. A black picture frame from an internet framer for example could be made from extruded polystyrene. The technology is impressive, and very visually versatile, and the product inexpensive to produce, but they are also brittle and will not be found in professional picture framing workshops.
Paper-wrapped frames are also found in many inexpensive ready-made frames. The base material is a soft fibre and resin mix, wrapped in a coloured paper bonded onto the outside. It is noticeable that the hangings are usually mounted onto the backing board. One of the reasons for this is because the material is often too soft to accept screws. The other of course is to lower production costs.
A hardwood called Obeche (it’s also known by a lot of other names, please see here for more information), is widely used in the manufacturing of pre-finished picture frames. The quality is variable. We also use mouldings made from this material, but many of these we sand, stain and polish ourselves for a superior finish. Our Enhanced Standard Frame range is super quality and differs greatly from a pre-finished moulding length of the same colour and wood type.
And then there are other hardwoods, like Walnut, Ash, Tulip, which can also be the base material for a black frame.
FRAME CHOICE CONCLUSION
All of these have different qualities, durability, beauty and therefore price points, not always immediately obvious when looking at a frame selection on the internet. It’s another reason for why do picture framing costs vary between different framing shops? To really see the quality of a product, after all, you are reading this because you have decided to explore spending your money on some framing, it’s better to understand exactly what you are getting for your money. With us, you are welcome to visit us, inspect our frame samples, order some to take away if you wish, or even choose the timber we will make your “black” frame from. And if you cannot visit, contact us and we will send a sample out to you free of charge.
So, there you have it! Why do picture framing prices vary between different framing shops is something to think about. To end this article, we will point you to another blog we have written that might help you choose who you would like to frame your artworks.