Custom Framing
Welcome to our frame shop! Colours offers a wide range of framing options in hundreds of styles and colors. We can frame all of your certificates, diplomas, photographs, prints, paintings, posters, and sports memorabilia. We can do a wide range of matting, including multiple opening, designer corners, and Frenching. We promise to build your frame right, to make sure it complements your art and fits perfectly in your home or office. When we build your frame we consider the style, color, and size of your art, where you plan to hang it, the color of the room, the style of furniture, and the room's lighting, whether artificial, natural, or direct. These things make all the difference in whether you'll like the frame when its done. We will take as much time as you need choosing among frame samples and mat colors, will fully explain the different types of mats, glass, and moulding, and will explore detailing such as fillets, engraving, and embossing. A good frame creates a work of art - a bad frame is just a waste of money. Our professional framers are proud to have framed masterworks such as Renoir, Picasso, and Miro. Come see the difference between us and the other framers.
Before you commit to a frame shop, shop around! Compare prices, ask how long it will take, does the shop do conservation quality work, and above all, ask whether your work will be sent out to be framed. We offer good faith estimates over the telephone, almost always have your framing done in less than a week, and all of our framing is done in our store - we send nothing out. While the price of framing can vary widely depending upon the materials you choose, SEE THE CHART AT THE END OF THIS PAGE for an idea of local costs.
Before you commit to a frame shop, shop around! Compare prices, ask how long it will take, does the shop do conservation quality work, and above all, ask whether your work will be sent out to be framed. We offer good faith estimates over the telephone, almost always have your framing done in less than a week, and all of our framing is done in our store - we send nothing out. While the price of framing can vary widely depending upon the materials you choose, SEE THE CHART AT THE END OF THIS PAGE for an idea of local costs.
We Promise To Beat Anyone's Price For A Comparable Frame By 10%*
If their price is lower, we'll beat it - it's that simple.
We unconditionally guarantee the material and workmanship of our frames for as long as you own them.
Frame Quality Versus Cost - Which Is Right For You? To keep it simple, there are two basic types of framing - standard (inexpensive) and preservation/museum (expensive). Each have the same basic parts, but the big difference is the quality of the material and how the artwork is mounted. Standard framing uses buffered/acid free mats and premium glass (50% UV protection). The art is mounted to the backboards or mat. Preservation/Museum framing uses acid and lignin free or 100% cotton mats and conservation or museum glass (100% UV protection). Mounting is 100% reversable so the artwork can be easily removed. Preservation framing typically costs 2-3 times as much as standard framing. 75% of all framing can be standard framing! The rule of thumb - use standard framing if its decoration, preservation framing if its art.
A Word About Mats. There are four basic types of mats. Buffered Paper mats are inexpensive and perfect for posters, school art, and "office" art. Cotton Rag mats cost a bit more, are made from 100% cotton, are acid and lignin free, and are perfect for most artwork. Great for French Mats - a style of matting where designs, trim, or decorations are hand painted or attached to the mat. The illustration to the left shows how a white mat was "Frenched." Museum Grade mats are a bit expensive, are conservation quality 100% cotton, acid and lignin free, and are guaranteed safe for all art. Specialty Mats are expensive but very unique - these include silks, linens, textures, and prints. The quality is the same as Museum grade and are perfect for fine art.
A Word About Glass. Most people get the wrong kind of glass and pay too much. There are three types of glass:
Premium glass is inexpensive, perfect for most frames, and protects your art from about 50% of UV light. It comes in both clear and reflection control. Reflection control is great for reducing glare!
Conservation glass is a little more expensive and also comes in clear and reflection control. It should be used in areas with high direct sunlight and is perfect for artwork and photos. It protects your art from 99.99% of damaging UV light.
Museum glass is the ultimate glass - almost invisible, offers almost 100% UV protection and 100% glare reduction, but is very expensive. It's perfect for fine art and valuable work.
You can also get the same protection levels with acrylic, which is a hard plastic. Because it is much lighter than glass and won't break, it is the best choice for large pieces of work or for artwork or posters in children's rooms. Because of the weight and the danger of broken glass, Colours will not use glass in any frame larger than 32"x40" without the customer's written approval.
Premium glass is inexpensive, perfect for most frames, and protects your art from about 50% of UV light. It comes in both clear and reflection control. Reflection control is great for reducing glare!
Conservation glass is a little more expensive and also comes in clear and reflection control. It should be used in areas with high direct sunlight and is perfect for artwork and photos. It protects your art from 99.99% of damaging UV light.
Museum glass is the ultimate glass - almost invisible, offers almost 100% UV protection and 100% glare reduction, but is very expensive. It's perfect for fine art and valuable work.
You can also get the same protection levels with acrylic, which is a hard plastic. Because it is much lighter than glass and won't break, it is the best choice for large pieces of work or for artwork or posters in children's rooms. Because of the weight and the danger of broken glass, Colours will not use glass in any frame larger than 32"x40" without the customer's written approval.
Cost Drivers For Framing:
- Moulding - is priced by the linear foot. Most people forget about the corners - frames are measured on the inside, but cut from the outside. A 2" wide frame adds 16" to the frame (16"x20" inside = 20"x24" outside).
- Mats - A paper mat might cost $10, but the same size in museum may be $30, and in linen or silk, up to $50.
- Mat Reveal - This is the space around the art. Most art needs between 2.5" and 4" of reveal to be pleasing to the eye. A 16" x 20" work with a 4" mat equals a 24" x 28" frame.
- Glass - most people are sold the wrong type of glass. A "poster" only needs $20 regular glass, not $100 museum glass.
*Our price guarantee applies to a competitor's every day regular price for a same or similar complete frame (same molding, mats, glass, backing, hardware, and assembly), but not to ready made, build-it-yourself, On-Line, sales, promotions, specials, special order, or clearance items. A deposit is not required on frame orders under $300.00. Frames may take 3-7 days to complete. Items left more than 60 days after being notified they are complete and ready to pick up may be sold to recover costs.