https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:07:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1466768 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 01:25:10 +0000 Sarah A 1466768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just chiming in to say that at least half of the art in my house is in frames I ordered from the American Frame website and I have been very happy with the pricing and results. I hope your framing project comes together so you can enjoy your sentimental pieces </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1462578 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:11:22 +0000 Dgusanl 1462578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Micheals and Hobby Lobby very often have 40% off coupons for custom framing. The easiest way would be double matting to a standard size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1460854 Sat, 21 Mar 2015 14:28:10 +0000 Janet 1460854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think backing board is always a good idea. You can even find foamcore at places like Michaels or Staples and cut it to size yourself (use an x-acto knife) to save some money. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1460738 Sat, 21 Mar 2015 02:38:37 +0000 rebekahphoto 1460738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always use a backing board, (acid free foam core) it fills a bit of the extra space in the back of the frame, before you put the metal tension springs in (if you are using a metal frame) and it protects the back as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1460460 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:27:37 +0000 Diana 1460460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Rebecca.&nbsp; More options are always appreciated!&nbsp; I've ordered some free samples from American Frame to look at.</p> <p>One more question:&nbsp; <br />Do I need mounting/backing board if the pieces are already fully matted?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1459260 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 01:08:06 +0000 rebekahphoto 1459260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>in case you want one more to check, I just ordered frames &amp; plexi from framingsupplies.com<br />They have the worlds ugliest website, but very competitive prices and excellent customer service. They also carry some frames that american frame didn't, so I always look at both places</p> <p>have fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1459212 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:26:17 +0000 viva 1459212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana, I love the idea of collecting old botanical prints and maps. It puts me in mind of snuggling up in a crackled old leather chair to read on a rainy afternoon. </p> <p>Also, I really love that some of your artwork is by your family members. Most of mine is not, but I have a few pieces by my mother, and I cherish those, and a couple of beautiful watercolors by an elderly artist who is a close friend of my sister's. There is something very special about having the artwork of people you know. I think it brings good energy into the home.</p> <p>Good luck with your framing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1459129 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 21:05:02 +0000 Diana 1459129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much!&nbsp; I feel like YLF can answer all my random questions. ;)&nbsp; Janet, you and Rabbit and others have convinced me to give the plexi a try.&nbsp; I think I'll order one from one of your online suggestions and see how I like it.&nbsp; It seems like it will be fairly inexpensive.&nbsp; </p> <p>Nancy, good to know there is a local option as well!&nbsp; I'll definitely check them out. That sounds like it would be ideal for situations where I would have to cut my own mats, etc.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1459008 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:27:56 +0000 Janet 1459008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd go with UV and non-glare -- easier to see the work, and since you are concerned about any further image degradation, I would want the protection. It's more expensive, but I consider it an investment if its original art (not a mass produced print). Just clean it with a slightly damp cloth, not Windex or anything like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458990 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:49:23 +0000 Mochi 1458990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana, another option is this place in Brookline Village:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.framersworkshopbrookline.com/">http://www.framersworkshopbrookline.com/</a></p> <p>They do frame things for you (it can take a week or more in that case), but I've always used their service where you go in and they walk you through framing it by yourself. Definitely customizable. I recently framed and matted two 11 x 17 photos with simple black metal frames and paid about $70 per picture, with each piece taking under 40 minutes to complete.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458982 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:15:52 +0000 rabbit 1458982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Utrecht and Blick are relatively expensive imo -- although I haven't looked at framing there. &nbsp; Here we have a kooky locally owned shop called 'I've been Framed!' which sells discounted, used,&nbsp;and second run art supplies and does framing as well. &nbsp; Also Frame Central is relatively inexpensive in that they will do just the parts of the job you need (like cutting the frame) and then they have a work area where you can do the rest yourself -- sounds like what Aziraphale describes.</p> <p>I used to get regular glass cut at a hardware store, but plexiglass is lighter and safer so I generally prefer that if you can avoid scratches.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458979 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:11:28 +0000 carter 1458979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to suggest the double mat. I've done this before. I also had some luck at Ikea because their frame sizes are metric-based and just enough "odd" for what I needed.</p> <p>On the plexi question above...UV non-glare would be my choice. UV to protect the art and non-glare so you can see it:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458974 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:06:30 +0000 Diana 1458974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vivian, one of the pieces is a painting that my brother-in-law brought back from South Africa.&nbsp; The others are some photographs taken by my dad back in the early 70's and a painting done by my mom around the same time.&nbsp; So, more sentimental than valuable, although I do think they are objectively excellent.&nbsp; I should take some pictures of them to share!</p> <p>We also have several (already framed, thankfully) drawings done by my father-in-law, who is a landscape architect that still does all his conceptual drawings by hand.&nbsp; </p> <p>I also have a couple of antique botanical prints that unfortunately are still in CA.&nbsp; I have not figured out how to transport them to Boston yet!&nbsp; (Those are also framed, and LARGE.&nbsp; They were a gift from my parents, hence why they are in CA.)&nbsp; I love old botanical prints and old maps and often think I should start collecting them seriously.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458965 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:56:31 +0000 viva 1458965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely stepping aside to let the artists weigh in here (eg Janet). But I am intrigued about your acquisitions Diana and would love to know what kind of art it is. I have a little collection of small pieces (paintings, drawings, etc.) and am just interested in what you've found if you are inclined to describe them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458964 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:54:38 +0000 Diana 1458964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aziraphale, I think people here go to Utrecht or Blick for art supplies.&nbsp; I know they sell the custom frame components (the kind you put together yourself) there, but I'm not sure about the glass.&nbsp; I will try to stop by and ask though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458959 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:50:13 +0000 Diana 1458959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Janet!&nbsp; So you prefer plexi to regular glass?&nbsp; I was worried that it wouldn't be as clear as real glass, but it's been a long time since I've looked at it.&nbsp; I do like that it is lightweight and wouldn't break during moves, etc.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>ETA: Which kind do you get?&nbsp; I see that american frame has 4 types - regular, UV, non-glare, and UV non-glare.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458957 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:49:04 +0000 Aziraphale 1458957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Where do local art students go to buy supplies? Here we have a store called Opus Art Supplies and Framing, and you can frame something yourself in the store, for far less than you would be charged at a regular framing shop. There are sales assistants (mostly art students) who are there to help. Maybe you have a shop like this in your city. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458953 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:44:27 +0000 Janet 1458953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Americanframe.com and pictureframes.com are my go-to's for customizable frames, mats, and glass (actually plexiglass). You can order custom sizes and they are easy enough to assemble (the metal frames are particularly affordable). Or a local frame store should be able to supply you with custom-cut glass or plexi for a reasonable price, even if you don't buy frames from them. Sometimes for the best deals, I'll end up buying frames from one supplier and plexi from another. I like plexi because it's lightweight and unbreakable, and you can get it in a non-glare, archival form, which shows work to its best advantage and also protects it from fading, even though it's more expensive than standard glass. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/framing-odd-sized-artwork#post-1458918 Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:11:32 +0000 Diana 1458918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since we have a lot of home decor fans here, I thought I'd see if anyone has a solution to my problem.&nbsp; </p> <p>I've recently acquired several pieces of artwork in non-standard sizes, and I need to frame them.&nbsp; There are five of them and they are all different sizes.&nbsp; All are rectangular and flat though, so a standard frame, provided I can get one in a custom size, would be fine.&nbsp; I want just a simple, narrow black frame <b>with glass</b>.&nbsp; The glass is non-negotiable as I need to protect the artwork.&nbsp; (Some of it is ~40 years old and was displayed at some point without frames, so they're kind of faded already and I don't want to make it any worse.)&nbsp; The pieces are all already matted (also on non-standard sized mats) and I do not want to try to remove and re-mat them, nor would I want to cut the existing mats if at all possible.&nbsp; </p> <p>Anyway, standard sized off-the-rack frames don't come in anything close to the right sizes.&nbsp; Custom framing places seem to charge an arm and a leg, and I don't want to be out ~1K to frame these things.&nbsp; (Also, I don't need anyone to actually frame/mat the artwork for me; I just want the frame and glass.)&nbsp; I have found a couple of places online that sell custom sized frames for reasonable prices but they don't come with glass.&nbsp; </p> <p>So, has anyone done anything like this?&nbsp; What are my options?&nbsp; Is custom framing the only route?&nbsp; Is there somewhere that I can get pieces of glass cut to my specifications?&nbsp; </p> <p>Some things that have been suggested to me already - has anyone tried these?<br />--look in thrift stores/discount stores for cheap framed art, which is often weird sizes, and just cannibalize them for the frames.<br />--do some kind of double mat situation that would allow me to fit them into larger, standard sized frames.</p>