Need inexpensive framing,help please???

[Brancaneve]

A few months ago my husband bought me two prints of the Disney characters in front of landmarks in our hometown of Sacramento. I was lucky enough(or so I thought) to get a 60% off framing coupon(for 2 frames) at Joann's and rushed over to get it done.

Well, WITH the coupon, and with the cheapest frame, mat, etc. it came out to over $300 for the two!!

Does anyone else know of a cheaper alternative? For some extra info, the prints are signed by the voices of some of the characters, are not a standards size and must be behind UV glass to avoid being faded.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[msmayor]

That actually IS cheap for two considering your requirements.

UV glass is quite expensive, and the fact that you have non-standard sizes increases the framing costs.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Could you have mats cut for them in such a way that they would then fit in a standard size frame?

 

[donald&daisy]

I know Hobby Lobby runs their customing framing half off fairly regularly but I don't know that it would be any cheaper than the deal you can get at Joann's.

 

[ceecee]

Check Hobby Lobby. We just bought two prints at Disney last week and hopefully we can get them framed at a reasonable cost. Maybe you could find a frame in the size you need without going the "custom" route.

 

[rottiemom]

Did you try a local framing place for a quote? It may be comparable.

One thing that I'd like to suggest is that wherever you get the framing done you make sure that it's done on site & not sent out. If your items are one of a kind I wouldn't want to risk them getting lost or damaged.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Wow that is expensive! Maybe try Aaron Brothers. They sometimes have good sales. I now there is one in Natomas and one in Folsom, I think there is another somewhere else. I don't know if they will be any cheaper than JoAnns though, might be comparable. Good luck, it sound like a neat gift from you DH!

 

[PinkRhombus]

I have four water colors that I wanted to frame. It came back pretty high for me, too.

I went to a local place called Garden Ridge (like Old Time Pottery) found four frames that would be big enough....and then took the measurements for the size of the mat, and the dimensions for the cut-out to a frame shop and had them cut the mats. It was about $30 or so for that.

EXCELLENT results.

I painted the frames to match the antique brown color of some of the other metal fixtures in my kitchen. So you don't have to worry about the color so much...just the style and detail.


If you want to go with bigger frames and a smaller cutout (very nice look) look at the collage frames. You won't be using the provided cut-out mat.

As far as the UV glass, see how much that would be just for that. You may be paying most of the cost for the frame itself.

 

[katierae81]

I used to work in the framing department at Michael's Arts and Crafts. Unless you will be putting the artwork in direct sunlight, you really don't need UV glass...this will save money. I know we were always pressured to 'upsell' the customers order. I'm not sure how big your prints are, but for $300 I'm sure this is what they were trying to do. Wood frames are ALOT more expensive then metal, look into metal. I would also suggest a single, basic paper mat, or even none at all...I'm sure they suggested a double or even triple mat. I would go back in and pare it down to the bare essentials. HTH.

 

[msmayor]

I used to work in the framing department at Michael's Arts and Crafts. Unless you will be putting the artwork in direct sunlight, you really don't need UV glass...this will save money. I know we were always pressured to 'upsell' the customers order. I'm not sure how big your prints are, but for $300 I'm sure this is what they were trying to do. Wood frames are ALOT more expensive then metal, look into metal. I would also suggest a single, basic paper mat, or even none at all...I'm sure they suggested a double or even triple mat. I would go back in and pare it down to the bare essentials. HTH.

This is not advisable if the piece is at all meaningful. A mat is more than just 'decoration'...it protects the piece from being up against the glass and getting ruined by 'sticking' to the other side.

If you're going to spend the money to get it framed, do it right. The mat really isn't adding all that much to the price.

 

[katierae81]

This is not advisable if the piece is at all meaningful. A mat is more than just 'decoration'...it protects the piece from being up against the glass and getting ruined by 'sticking' to the other side.

If you're going to spend the money to get it framed, do it right. The mat really isn't adding all that much to the price.

Actually; if a mat isn't going to be used, then a product called spacers are used. They are placed in between the glass and art work to keep the glass from touching the artwork without the added expense of a mat. Mats, depending on what type you get can be rather expensive.

 

[mjkacmom]

Did you try a local framing place for a quote? It may be comparable.

One thing that I'd like to suggest is that wherever you get the framing done you make sure that it's done on site & not sent out. If your items are one of a kind I wouldn't want to risk them getting lost or damaged.

Our local framery is actually cheaper than AC Moore's "half price" offer.

 

[sherry7]

Good topic!

I have 3 very large pictures (16x20 senior pics of DS) that I need to get framed. I did find oddball size frames at Adorama.com, but they would look nicer matted.

 

[muffyn]

I have gone to allposters.com previously, purchased the cheapest poster in the size I want & had it framed. took the poster out when I got it delivered & put in what I had.
this was a cheaper alternative than I found comparing joanns, micheals etc with their coupons.
framing is so freakin' expensive.

oh! I also watch garage sales for pictures no one wants anymore & stash the frames.