Beginning only 20-odd years ago or so, the advent of the internet, while creating new industries and new jobs, also destroyed comparatively more industries and jobs than it created.  This post "Who or what, killed all the picture framing shops? attempts to shed some light on this modern phenomenon.  Back then, online sales for picture frames or photo frame didn’t exist, now these are a majority, and are increasing all the time.  Again, during this time,  picture frames stores and picture framing shop have decreased ...  

This post is published in reply to the often asked question "how do I attach my photo to the mat?  we received over the years . Attaching artwork (a photo, print, document or paper) to the back of a mat is called "hinging" by picture framers.  This is very different to "taping". A picture showing a hinged photo is shown at your left. Another image in another page document taped to a mat. The blog also explains why taping artwork to a mat is a bad idea. We recommend hinging instead Hinging means attaching the art to either the backing board of the picture frame (as shown in the picture) or the back of the mat (not shown in the picture) using ...

To know what size photo frame or picture frame you should order, first make sure you have your artwork (photo, print, canvas, document, etc) with you so that you can measure it. While this seems a little silly to suggest, it isn't. Many customers ring us up wanting picture framing quotes for prices. When we ask them what size their picture are many say that the don't know for sure. They say that they don't have the picture because they're just about to order it online or that they've just done so. It seem that customers either take it for granted or assume that the picture size they're getting online will be exactly as described or ordered....

The answer to the often asked question "do I have leave my print with you?" is, yes.  Please do leave your picture, print, poster or photo (we call it artwork) with us.  We need it to make a custom picture frame, put your artwork inside it, seal it, put the wire or cord and hand it do you. Some customers may be worried that their work is contracted out or framed elsewhere, but, with us at least, that's never been the case. All picture frames, photo frames or poster frames and all picture framing is done by skilled, experienced custom picture framers in house. Other customers may be ...

Before discussing how to get a pastel ready for picture framing, we should explain what these are.  Pastels and charcoals are drawn or painted with short sticks or chalks which are friable media. Friable means a powdery or crumbly and otherwise loose and unstable medium. In fact, if you happen to accidentally touch a pastel or charcoal, chances are that you will smudge it and that some of the medium will come off and stick to your hand. Therefore it is important to safeguard the artwork from accidental touching, smudging, other contact or pressure damage. If needing to temporarily store or transport ...

We are occasionally asked if we can fit Customer's new photos framed into some old picture frames they may have.  The answer is yes,  but this is conditional to the quality, soundness  and suitability of the picture frame to be re-used. To begin with, the picture frame, or photo frames being considered for recycling should be sound, solid, free from borers or other insect infestation. Its corners should be unsprung, that is, closed tightly without gaps or rocking or rolling. If any of the picture frame corners do move whilst being handled than the frame is said to to be "sprung". If so, it will then have to be dismantled and ...

"Can I phone through a custom picture frame order" was a request we received last week?  Sorry, no, we said,  we would rather not do it. And we know this sounds crazy, but let us explain why.  The main reason is that most people aren't picture framers, they don't know how to measure for picture framing, they get the measurements wrong and then we may make picture frame that won't fit the artwork. When this happens, the customer blames us and either refuse to pay for the frame we just made or wants a new or "better" frame made up for free. This is a lose-lose situation for both customers and ourselves and that's why ...

Do we make picture frames sourced from old used or recycled timbers?  Sorry, no. Recycled timber picture frames are sold in niche or specialist markets. Frames from old timbers are generally more expensive than normal, run-of-the-mill picture frames or photo frames. Typically, these specialised frames are only about 3~5 % of all sales and it's difficult to specialise in these and remain commercially profitable. If you look on the web you'll find some recycling  picture framers not that many. There are several good reasons why this is so. The main one has to do with commercial profitability...

We have had more than one Customer asking us if he or she can  "do my own picture framing"  our premises and unfortunately the answer is, always no.  While we certainly would have the requisite knowledge and experience, supervising D.Y.O. students and conducting  classes is not what we do. One of  the  reasons for this is that we do not believe that picture framing classes, or teaching D.Y.O. picture framing, are viable commercial propositions, nowadays.  Certainly 30, 20, even 10 years ago this business model did work, but not today.  The average Customers today is very much time-poor and has better things to do than to spend time and money trying to make ...

We are occasionally asked if part of our picture framing customer service is to ring Customers when we have completed their picture frames. We reply that we generally do so only when a Customers requests it because for the majority of picture framing jobs, there's no need to. When you bring your print, photo poster or artwork to be picture framed we will always give you a pick-up or a collection date. This applies to 98% of all framing jobs. We find that this system works better for both Customers and ourselves. The only exceptions are special jobs requiring special treatment, different handling or ...