Framing services

This is a question we are often asked! And yes, we do make picture frames, and for many kinds of budget too, from the simplest poster frame to the most exclusive custom carved one-of-a-kind-artwork-in-itself picture frames. It’s all down to your exact vision and requirements.

That is a very good question. And SohoFrames is a good place to start. Here you will always be greeted with courtesy and respect and receive knowledgeable and timely answers to any questions. We also quite often answer WhatsApp queries and take phone calls evenings, Bank Holidays and weekends outside of our normal working hours and pride ourselves on going the “extra mile” so to speak. There is no obligation and we are always happy to help and advise.

This usually depends on your chosen style, but there are certain factors that determine our turnaround time for your request, including: the size, the number of frames, the materials used and the complexity.

We do, however, try to accommodate any urgent framing needs. Typically the entire process from initial consultation to finished product takes two to five working days for most orders, provided that the relevant materials are in stock. Larger frames usually take a little longer, but are normally completed within two weeks — if not quicker. Custom designed, milled, spraying, carving, gilding, and French polishing all require additional time to complete, depending on specifics.

Unless specifically requested, all of our frames come with hangings. We also offer a professional picture hanging service, which is charged based on the duration of the job, and can range from a single frame to a full wall.

We provide this service to private residences, galleries, and commercial premises alike, during office hours and out of hours for your convenience.

One of the most popular options for picture frame glass is 2mm thick anti-reflective artglass, which is both super clear, often to the point of invisibility (depending on light source and viewing angle), as well as providing 70% UV protection. Standard glass, a high quality float glass, is also popular. For larger frames, we can increase the thickness of these two types of glazing to 3mm for added strength.

We offer three levels of UV protection with our artglass, (70%, 92% and 99%). We also offer 4.1mm laminated glass, alongside various types of acrylic. Two types of anti-reflective acrylic are also available.

Almost all artworks require some form of specialist mounting, whether or not it is seen in the finished picture frame. The various styles and methods of mounting are used to stabilise and protect the artwork as well as for decorative reasons.

Why not read our picture mount guide for more information.

This depends on the type of artwork as well as your personal preference.

A window mount with a nice thick bevel edge really shows of the artwork/ picture and also adds an air gap so the glass does not sit directly on top of the work, which can sometimes cause problems with moisture and damage the artwork.

Of course. We make all mounts to exact specifications.

We have two CNC professional mount cutting machines in the basement of our 5-story workshop. One is a “mature” dependable workhorse, the other is a state-of-the-art Gunnar. The only mounts we cut by hand are oversize window mounts.

Again, this does come down to personal preference, but straight-to-edge framing is often used for photography, particularly large photography, film and art and film posters. Spacers and a same-size float or drymount may also be required with this style.

A picture frame spacer is narrow piece of wood or acrylic used to push an artwork towards the back of the frame. Often used in conjunction with the straight to edge style, but it is also used sometimes in conjunction with a window mount for stylistic purposes.

It can, though it would first need to be dry mounted onto dibond, aluminum or (occasionally) Kapa. It may also need a protective lacquer applied to the surface to give it some protection as it is not possible to have glass with this option.

This is where the artwork is “lifted” away from the backing board by way of a foamcore plinth. It gives the illusion of floating and adds a pleasing shadow around it. Often used where it is important to see the ragged edges of an artwork printed onto handmade paper.

This is where the artworks lays flat onto the backing mountboard. It won’t be stuck flat, just gently attached at various points to give it a natural “floating” look. This process won’t flatten a rippled or warped artwork.

Yes, they are real and they are all displayed on the wall in our workshop. And the image inside these frames was taken by and is the copyright of Alex Vintilescu, used with his kind permission.

We can and do. Most UK deliveries are via sameday courier, which can be quite costly for long distances. We use sameday as picture frames are not suited for the general postal service. For frames sent abroad we usually make wooden crates for them or employ the services of a specialist art courier. That said, for small frames we can post using heavy cardboard frame boxes or use man-in-a-van type services for UK long distance, which we have found to work well as long as the artwork or framed piece is packaged properly. And we often hand deliver too if reasonably local.

We know of one or two professional art installers that we can put you in touch with, though you must conduct your own due diligence in respect to their reputation etc to help you decide whether to use them. We would of course do our best to work with whoever you choose, even if it is an installer you have found yourself.