"Big Box Stores" Vs. Custom Framers

I'm sure you've all done it, tried to save some money by buying a ready-made frame at a big box store and cramming your artwork in to it. Or taking your artwork to a "craft store" and having them frame it because you got a huge discount coupon in the mail. I'm not judging you, there is a time and place for a ready-made or inexpensive frame. It is a great way to display your snapshots, inexpensive posters & other things that have little monetary or sentimental value. But, please consider a custom framer for your more important prints, photos and artwork. I might be a bit of a frame snob, but it is so much more than that. At Frameworks, we have seen one too many precious pieces ruined because someone tried to save a dime. In this post I'd like to explain the difference between the Big Box Stores and Custom Framers. In other words, craft stores that pretend to be custom framers...I mean, how many custom framers do you see selling hot glue guns and fabric? Please read on to learn more about why your cherished pieces deserve the care and consideration of a custom frame shop, like Frameworks!

Price: Occasionally people are a little surprised by the cost of custom framing. I've seen the concerned look on many customer's faces when they are given a quote. I'd like to take a little mystery out of the price tag of custom framing. First of all, your framing is CUSTOM. It is done just for you. By a skilled framer, designer & fitter. All of this has a cost associated with it. Custom framers have a huge selection of mouldings and mats, because we order everything from our suppliers just for your job. Big box stores have a limited selection of moldings that they carry in volume, less selection for the customer, big profit for them.

Quality: As custom framers we care about what you are framing as much as you do. We have been in the same location with the same owner for 30 years. Our reputation rides on your work looking as good today as it did the day you brought it in. We only use the finest quality materials, including acid-free matting, conservation glass, and all wood mouldings. This might be over-kill for some projects, but our motto is "Things of quality have no fear of time." In other words, when you pay for quality you only cry once.

Discounts: A custom framer will occasionally run a special, or have a small discount coupon in a mailing, just to get some new business. But, I'm sure you've all seen the 50-75% off coupons these big box stores run weekly. My first thought is "Really?" how can you make any profit when you are giving that kind of a discount. The answer is simple. These stores have high prices and steep discounts. While custom framers have reasonable prices and reasonable discounts. I'd like to give you a real life example of how these coupons are misleading. We recently had a customer come in our shop who had been to a "craft store" to get her framing done. After selecting her choices and getting a quote, she wasn't quite happy with her selection and decided to try a custom framer. She came in to our store just get an idea of cost, because she wanted it to look nice, but was on a budget. After choosing a beautiful frame and mat for her project, we gave her a quote. (I should mention that we had no idea what she was quoted at the "craft store".) To her surprise our price was over $100 less that the big box store, and that was with a 60% off coupon!

Shop Locally: Studies show that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. Visit Shop Local Raleigh to learn more or to get involved!

This is an example of what can happen to your artwork if it's not framed properly. At Frameworks we only use conservation materials to protect your art for generations to come!