CUSTOM COLOUR CLOSED CORNER FRAMES
Here at Sohoframes we design and create picture frames of almost any profile and then custom spray in a variety of standard finishes, which are matt, satin and gloss, as well as specialised finishes like mirror gloss, liquid metal and flake. Please note, for technical reasons not all finishes are available on all profiles. Please contact us for details.
Colour Palette Example
We can spray to almost any RAL code and also to many home decor paint codes like Dulux or Farrow & Ball. We can match as closely as possible Pantone ink colour codes. Colours can be in a variety of finishes from matt all the way to mirror gloss.
As well as the custom spraying of the most popular standard profiles we can also carve and create frame designs to order. Please contact us for details. All photography on this page and website is the copyright of SohoFrames Ltd. These are photos or actual examples that can be seen along with many others by visiting us at our Soho workshop.
CLOSED CORNER CUSTOM SPRAYED FRAMES
CUSTOM COLOUR MATT FRAMES
Here are a selection of colours sprayed onto a 17×17 raw Tulip wood profile. The finish is standard matt (something we call “10%” for technical reasons). This finish has a soft pleasing shine to it. The left-most sample shows the example profile before spraying to show the top spline we use to cover the join, which makes the finished frame both stronger and avoids a hairline crack appearing in the paint due to the natural movement of the wood. We call this a “closed corner.” We can spray in almost any colour, finish, and profile size. These are examples only and can be seen in our workshop.
CUSTOM COLOUR GLOSS FRAMES
Like all the frames here at SohoFrames we make these to exact requirements. This range has the same colours as before but in a standard gloss finish, which is called “Gun Gloss.” We can also polish the gun gloss finish if a flawless mirror finish is required. As before, all colours and finishes are available in almost any profile size and shape.
BLACK AND WHITE CUSTOM SPRAYED FRAMES
We can also make standard frames with closed corners. Shown here a selection of 20mm wide x 30mm deep profiles in black, white, and window mount shades with both matt and gloss finishes. The far right example matches one of our most popular archival mountboards, but we can spray to match as closely as possible any of our mountboards.
OTHER COLOURS
These are just some of the colours and finishes from our ever expanding catalogue of samples.
MORE COLOURS
As before, a further selection of hues and finishes from our physical catalogue.
WHITES AND CREAMS
Some of these colours match some of the most popular mountboards we use, which can be both solid colour as well as stained finishes to show the wood grain.
CUSTOM COLOUR WOOD STAINS 1
This range shows a palette of custom wood stain colours applied to a 20×30 profile we made from Ash. We often use this type of wood for colour staining for several reasons. The first is that Ash is a pale wood and so easier to match client colour references. It also has a beautiful grain that the chosen colour highlights well. The finish can also be lacquered all the way up from matt to a polished mirror finish. We can stain in almost any preferred colour and everything from profile size and shape can be customised. Closed corners however do not really work on a stained finish as it would show. You can of course request traditional corner splines though if desired.
CUSTOM COLOUR WOOD STAINS 2
More custom wood stains. We can stain wood in hundreds of different colours and usually have to colour match by hand due to the natural changes in wood colour. Every time a client orders a frame in a different coloured stain we make a sample. In this way we build up a large physical catalogue of different colours for new clients to look at both online here and in our Soho workshop.
CUSTOM COLOUR WOOD STAINS 3
Another batch of our gorgeous custom colour stains on Ash wood frame corner samples. All of these stained examples are first stained and then sealed. we then apply a further coat of lacquer, which just like paint can be matt, satin or gloss. These are what we call matt, which is 10% gloss so they have a subtle shine to them.
LIQUID METAL FRAMES
WHITE BRONZE AND BRASS
This exclusive finish involves spraying a raw wooden frame with a solution of real metal granules. The raw finish has the colour, appearance and texture of a paving slab. We then polish this though with finer and finger grits until a smooth finish is achieved, which displays the colour of the chosen metal granules. These frames feel cold to the touch, conduct electricity, and will also tarnish unless they are lacquered. Different tonings and effects can also be applied. These white bronze and brass samples on shown on 40×40 and 20×30 profile, but any flat or rounded profile can be used.
COPPER AND ACID ETCHED COPPER
Same example profiles as before, this time in plain copper and acid-etched copper with a polished mirror final finish. The polished finish is optional, and could be left raw or with matt or satin lacquer on top. Like all our custom sprayed frames we make these to exact client requirements and would in most cases make an example profile for approval before moving on to the actual picture frame.
GUITAR FINISH FRAMES
GLITTER ON BLACK 1
This photo shows something we like to call our Guitar Finish. These examples again show a 40×40 and 20×30 profile in black (it is actually not quite black, but a colour we call Deep Space, so black with a tiny hint of blue). The two samples on the left have silver glitter incorporated within the paint and the two on the right silver and purple glitter. These are then polished to a mirror finish. Paint colour and glitter colour (as well as glitter density) can be customised and we would always make you a text sample for the requested specification for approval.
GLITTER ON BLACK 2
This photo shows a close-up of the finish, which really has to be looked at in our workshop to fully appreciate its beauty and the possibilities for customisation. For example, the background colour can be any colour and also the glitter. The frame profile size can also be changed to suit. Rounded or cushion shaped profiles are also possible.
PEARL FINISH FRAMES
2-TONE PEARL AND TEXTURED PEARL
This photograph shows two example profiles, 40×40 and 20×30 , each set in the same colour and finish. The first example is a two-tone pearl finish. We spray the desired base colour and then apply the desired change colour and finish with pearl lacquer, which is then polished. Turning the sample changes the colour, so if viewing the finished frame from different angles the colour would also change. Any base and top coat colours can be selected on almost any profile size and shape. We would of course be delighted to first make a test sample for you. The second finish, is also a pearl finish but applied by hand instead of sprayed to give the textured looking finish. This was then polished to a mirror finish, this sample we feel would look great for framing wedding photos! And as before, we can do these finishes in any other colour.
DESERT COLOURS
BEIGE AND LAVENDER FRAMES 1
These colours were carefully selected by us after advice from one of art expert clients. The examples above show these colours on a 40mm x 40mm square profile and with a mirror gloss finish. We can adjust the colours too, if required, and also apply them to any profile shape and size. However, mirror gloss is only possible on smooth surfaces, curved or flat is fine, but if patterned the finish would need to be what we call Gun Gloss. Contact us for details.
BEIGE AND LAVENDER FRAMES 2
We sprayed these very popular 20mm x 30mm profiles using the same carefully selected colour palette, but this time with our standard matt or 10% finish.
HAND PATTERNED
TORTOISESHELL
We made this 20mm x 30mm sample when a client requested a frame with a tortoiseshell finish. The patterning is done by hand and then finished with clear matt lacquer. We can do this finish on many different custom profiles and shapes. The finish can be matt, satin or gun gloss, and mirror-gloss.
FAQs
What is a custom colour frame?
This is any frame that we apply a spray painted finish to.
How many colours do you offer?
We offer hundreds of colours. RAL code are the most popular, but we also match home decor colours like F&B, Little Green, Dulux, etc.
Can you spray paint Pantone colours?
Pantone codes are for printed ink, but we match them as closely as possible.
I would like a frame colour to match the mountboard colour around my artwork. Can you do this?
We can and have frame samples in our workshop to match the most popular mountboards we offer.
Can you spray paint a colour found in an artwork too?
We can usually colour match a colour or pigment found in an artwork to paint the frame with and we would always spray a sample first for you to approve.
What sort of finishes do you offer?
We offer four basic finishes, matt, satin, gun gloss, and polished gloss.
I would like a custom colour picture frame but with the grain to show. Is this possible?
We can do two things if you want the wood grain to show on a custom colour picture frame. One is apply our usual acrylic paint but not to grain fill the wood first. This method works best of deeply grained woods like oak. The other is stain the wood. Both methods can then be finished with lacquer, matt, satin or gloss depending on preference.
Can you do fancy finishes?
We can, pearlescent, two-tone, glitter, etc. Everything is customisable. Please just ask.
What is the turnaround time on a custom colour frame?
It takes approx one week to make the frame with the closed corners and we like to leave two more weeks to complete the spraying, so approx three weeks in total.
But I need it urgently! Can you speed this up?
We sometimes can, and will certainly do our best, but we cannot guarantee to meet a quicker deadline for these types of bespoke picture frames.
What is a closed corner?
This is where we cover the normal corner joint of the picture frame with a spline. This reinforces the joint and prevents any hairline cracks appearing due to the natural movement of the wood.
Are all paint finishes available for all the frame types on your website?
Some finishes work best on certain profile shapes. It is best to contact us with your requirements so we can best advise you.
I like the mirror finish. But I want this on an ornate style frame. Is this possible?
The mirror finish need a lot of polishing and so this is not possible on an ornate style frame due to all the nooks and crannies in the design. We can however do a gun gloss finish, which is just like the shine of gloss household paint. We can always make a sample for you first before confirming any order.
Great. How long do samples take to make?
About the same time as a complete picture frame, but often we get them ready within 2 weeks from point of order.
I see you offer something called Liquid Metal. What exactly is this?
This is metal powder that we spray on to a specially prepared picture frame with resin. It is then polished.
So it’s real metal?
It is. It is cold to the touch, tarnishes if not lacquered, and also conducts electricity, just like metal.
What sort of profile shapes do these finishes work best on?
The profile shape has to be smooth, so flat or curved.
Why is that?
When the finish is first applied onto the wooden base it has both the appearance and texture of a paving stone. We then need to grind this down with finer and finer grits until a perfectly smooth finish is obtained. Then we polish, which brings out the true nature of the metallic material.
So what can you do if I want a metallic frame with an ornate design?
We gild, and we gild usually in 23k gold leaf, but also use aluminium when a silver type finish is desired.
Can I have a mirror finish on a liquid metal frame?
Yes. We polish the base metal and then apply lacquer, which can have various degrees of shine, just like our regular sprayed frames – matt, satin, gloss, mirror gloss.
Can I have a frame made with this finish but without any lacquer?
Of course. But please note, just like any metal, they will tarnish and oxidise in time. The surface can be gently cleaned with metal polish or cutting compound to restore the lustre if desired.
Some of the samples have green patches in them. What are these?
As with any metal we can, after applying the base layer and then polishing it, splash acid onto the surface to form the patterns seen here. These samples were then lacquered and polished to a mirror finish.
Can I choose the patterning, ie, how much how little?
Up to a point! We can apply acid in greater or lesser quantities but the precise level and colouration of patterning cannot be guaranteed. The samples here can only give an indication of the finished look. We would of course be happy to make a sample for you.
And I guess this look is available with different metallic base layers, not just the copper seen here?
We can do the acid pattern on any base metal layer.
What metals do you use?
Bronze, white bronze and copper are the most common.
I want pure gold / silver, not gilded. Can you do this?!
Technically, yes, but the cost would be considerable.
Can I see all the samples pictured on this page in your workshop?
Yes you can, and we are always adding to them. Every time we spray a new colour we also make a sample.
How do I order a sample and are they free of charge?
You can order a sample just by asking us and letting us know what colour and finish you would like. Sometimes we may charge depending on number of samples wanted, the profile size and shape (for example if non-standard, ie, custom carved or very large) or with a liquid metal or mirror finish. But often we don’t charge.
