When I was painting only for myself and family the issue of frames was pretty simple. My paintings got the discount frame treatment. I would always stock up on frames at 2-for-1 sales, an occasional garage sale. I have even resorted to dumpster diving (only once). The frames were cheap and compared to gallery frame, they looked it!
When I began showing in galleries it was embarrassing how unprofessional those cheap frames looked. They simply were not acceptable in a professional gallery space – like brown loafers surrounded by tuxedos. The critical lesson I learned fast was that good frames are worth far more than their cost.
I also learned that professional framing is no small expense especially when you have 20 paintings to frame for a show. But here are ways that have helped me control the costs a bit.
• Paint Standard Sizes
The size and dimensions of a painting are simply elements of a painting, just like color, texture and edges. As an artist, I should be able to work within the small restrictions that standard frames present. There are many standard sized, ready made frames available in such a wide variety of styles, colors and finishes that it easy to find the right frame to compliment my work.
• Reuse Existing Frames
By using the same sizes for most of my paintings I can reuse the frames for new paintings. The great thing is that reusing frames eliminates the cost of a new frame all together.
• Custom Frame with In-Stock Molding
If I do paint using a non-standard size or dimension I need a custom frame. Custom framers often have leftover molding from other custom frame job available at a discount. This is especially true for smaller painting. Asking to see extra molding has revealed some real treasures.
Right now my favorite frame supplier is Pleinart Frames. Their frames are beautiful and reasonably priced. They have a great selection and could not be more friendly and helpful. The same people sell frames in other flavors: Impressionist Frames, Western Frames, and Classic Frames.
Please let me know if you have any other tips on controlling costs and/or any frame suppliers you would recommend.
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I just saw this post, and just wanted to share a few frame suppliers. I’ve bought from Impressionist Frames/Plein Air Frames before, and agree that they are a great company to work with. However, if you have a state sale tax ID #, you can buy a lot of the same frames wholesale and save yourself some money. I buy most of my frames from Omega Moulding (www.omegamoulding.com – specifically their “Gallery Frames”) and JFM Enterprises (www.jfmenterprises.net). You have to have a tax ID to set up an account with either, but it’s worth it. They sell a lot of the same frames at 1/2 the price you’d buy retail. I get my custom frames from Front Range Frames (www.frontrangeframes.com) and they do a great job, but definitely a bit more pricey since they do the finish to your specs!
Hello Artists,
I just ran across your website and had to see what was being said about framing.
Please check my website and you will find excellent prices on ready-made frames and best of all custom sized frames without the custom size PRICE many of which are in the plein air style. Our shipping is extremely reasonable.
Enter coupon code: “Gift” for $10.00 off the first order.
Artist owned and operated.
Thanks for your time.
Linda Hogan
Art Ready Frames
JFM (www.jfm.net) is one of my primary sources, though you do need a tax id number. They will also give you up to 20 corner samples of custom frames at no charge. Their frames are very high quality. My only regret is they do not have many frame options under 3″; I’m not sure if they have any under 2″. I also use American Frame (www.americanframe.com), particularly the Allure style for a plein air frame option. Very affordable, and no tax id needed. They will give you small/remnant frame samples for free. Furst Brothers (www.furstbros.com) is a new company I am using out of Baltimore. They have a very nice range, and you do need a tax id for them. They also sell Crescent Ragmat Museum matboard, which I use exclusively. The only thing I have found with the companies other then JFM is you must tell them you want perfect joins, or the quality may not be flawless. At first, I didn’t say this and had some issues, but they shipped new ones without any hassle. I haven’t had issues since then. These are all wholesale frames, much more affordable than any other site I have seen. Pictureframes.com is another company which will give remnant frame samples; however, they are now charging a small shipping fee. I found affordable floater frames on their site.
Jennifer, thank you so much for the lead. Finding the right frames for a decent price has been a frustration.