Where do you buy your photo frames?

[cellomaster27]

Hello!

I am wondering what all of you people who print and sell images do for frames. I understand there are metal and canvas prints, but I still like the regular photo prints in frames. Is there a good supplier online? Custom made frames are way too expensive for me and not exactly what I'm looking for. Something simple, clean, and easy to order multiples. Thanks in advance!

 

[LDS]

Something simple, clean, and easy to order multiples. Thanks in advance!

There's no lack of pre-made frames suppliers, in many sizes, glass or acrylic (and different ones), cheap or expensive, modern or old style, simple or elegant, or even kitsch What supplier to choose depends on your requirements, and where you live, especially if you're going to order not so small ones - especially shipping large frames with glass may be an issue, unless very well boxed and protected.

 

[wsheldon]

I've had good luck with Frame Destination (www.framedestination.com). Quality framing materials, mats and glazing choices with good packaging. I've had mixed experiences with ArtToFrame (www.arttoframe.com) in terms of material quality (particularly sloppy cuts and scratches on acrylic glazing), but they have a nicer selection of wooden frames and a nice online graphical tool for choosing frames and mats. You can generally cut framing costs in half or more compared to local custom framing, so it's worth a shot.

 

[jcarapet]

Garage sales. If you are willing to paint over some old gold ones, you can often find them available there for very cheap.

 

[privatebydesign]

I get them from Ikea. They have a good range and many sizes have glass, not acrylic, along with useable mats for very reasonable prices.

 

[unfocused]

You can buy frames at any of the standard craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Micheal's, etc. They are always on sale. Although the selection can be limited in larger sizes.

What's much harder and more expensive is the matting. Most standard mats still use the old 11x14 or 16x20 proportions that don't match standard full frame and crop sensor proportions. Having mats custom cut locally is incredibly expensive and time consuming. Fortunately, there are some good online companies that cut and sell mats. I've used "Matboard and More" but there are others. Order the inside dimensions to fit your prints and the outside to fit the available frames.

 

[Ryananthony]

+1 for Michaels. They almost always have a coupon for 50 percent off 1 single item. Numerous times I've bought nice 24x36 frames for under 50 bucks.

 

[DominoDude]

I get them from Ikea. They have a good range and many sizes have glass, not acrylic, along with useable mats for very reasonable prices.

+0.95 (since everything is a li'l bit cheaper at IKEA)
Not done so myself, but a photographer friend that had loads to sell found it to be a very efficient way to get what she needed. And an IKEA shop is rarely far away (at least not in Sweden), so easy to get there and measure and get the right feel for what you need to start with. With a dash of artistic talent the frames could be customized to get a far more sophisticated look that suited each individual photo.

 

[scyrene]

Not much use for you I guess, but I got mine from a local art supply store (although they have a website, artdiscount.co.uk, they don't really specialise in frames). It depends how many you need - online suppliers can be cheaper but once you factor in postage etc it might not be, if you only need a few (that's what I found, or at least the margins were so fine it made little difference). In the UK also try shops like The Works which sell very cheap art and craft supplies, or Dunelm which have cheap homewares (or pound shops and the like). There are of course online frame specialists; they give more options if you're buying in bulk.

 

[BeenThere]

If making a lot of frames in one or two styles, you can save a bunch by buying 10 ft lengths of frame stock and cut your own to whatever dimensions you need. Best to find a local supplier because shipping is expensive. Can do the same with glass and save a bundle. I've been doing this for years. I also cut my own mats. If you are trying to sell, most of your costs are tied up in frames and mats.

 

[Zeidora]

Aaron Brothers, mostly. Also get the archival matt board there then cut my own matts with a Logan cutter.

 

[mdmphoto]

http://www.dickblick.com/categories/frame-sections/
I've bought many frames, matboards, and, as at the link above, frame kits here when I lived in metro Chicago. They do offer volume discounts, along with reasonable shipping....

 

[zim]

If you're in the UK you could check out http://www.fastframes.co.uk/
I've used them for A1 aluminium frames, always check out their sales first!
(I don't have any association with them)

 

[MrFotoFool]

You do not state what country you are in. Assuming you are in United States, one option is Frame USA.
http://www.frameusa.com/

 

[Natalie777]

Usually I buy the frames on Ikea, but if I want to present somebody with a great picture sometimes I choose the handmade frames.