Tag Archives: picture framing

What are the Differences Between Purchasing a Ready-Made Picture Frame and a Custom Picture Frame?

There are several differences between purchasing an off-the-shelf, ready-made picture frame and going to a professional custom picture framer like SF Framing. Here are a few key differences to be aware of:

Size and Design: Ready-made picture frames come in standard sizes and designs. Custom picture framing, on the other hand, allows you to choose the exact size and design that will best showcase your artwork.
Quality of Materials: Ready-made frames are often made with lower-quality materials, such as plastic or low-grade wood. Custom picture framing allows you to choose high-quality materials that will protect your artwork and last for years to come.
Preservation: A professional custom picture framer will use materials and techniques that help preserve your artwork over time, such as acid-free mats and UV-resistant glass. Ready-made frames may not offer the same level of protection, which could lead to damage or fading over time.
Cost: Ready-made frames are generally less expensive than custom frames, but the price difference may not be significant depending on the size and quality of the frame you need. On the other hand, any additional cost of a custom frame may be worth it if you have a valuable or sentimental piece of artwork that you want to protect and display.
Décor: When it comes to matching the décor of a room, custom picture framing offers more flexibility than ready-made frames. With a custom frame, you can choose the exact color, style, and finish that will complement your existing décor. Ready-made frames may not offer the same level of customization.

Overall, the decision between purchasing a ready-made, off-the-shelf picture frame and going to a professional custom picture framer will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to frame a piece of artwork, a ready-made frame may be the way to go. However, if you have a valuable or sentimental piece of artwork that you want to protect and display, a custom frame from SF Framing may be the very best option. Contact us today!

Put a little spring in your step this spring!

Well-framed spring flowers bloom like no others!

Many of our customers seek out picture framing services to display their cherished memories or valuable art pieces. As skilled and experienced picture framers, at SF Framing we strive to help protect these items from damage due to aging, light exposure, humidity, and other environmental factors. Taking these factors into account, we provide guidance on selecting the appropriate materials, such as acid-free backing, conservation mats and UV-protective glass, to ensure any framed item remains in good condition over time.

By providing these services, we help customers preserve and showcase their treasured items for years to come, giving them peace of mind and a sense of pride in their home or office decor. If you are interesting in learning more, we offer a FREE CONSULTATION SERVICE with a professional picture framer. During the consultation, the framer will provide advice on the best frames, mats, and other customizations for your specific artwork or photo.

This spring, we’ll spring for a 50% discount for you!

Mention this blog and we will give you a 50% discount off moulding (for any size frame with the purchase of a custom frame – maximum discount $50) until the end of spring 2023 (June 20, 2023).

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Make sure to put a little sunshine in your life… but don’t put it on your artwork!

Nothing adds more to a home than a beautiful piece of displayed artwork (e.g. a framed print, photo or painting). Unfortunately, your prized works of art can become badly damaged when they are exposed to light sources. If you do not take very specific steps to protect your artwork, you could lose it’s colors to sun damage over time.

While sunlight and indoor lighting easily damage artwork, protecting it from harmful UV rays is the secret to ensuring your art looks as stunning and as detailed as if it were new. Unfortunately, keeping your artwork hidden from view isn’t something you will want to do, and, using regular glass to cover it will not sufficiently block ultraviolet rays. What you will want to do is make sure your art is covered with UV-filtering glass. This will block up to 45 percent of harmful UV light and UV rays. The best UV filtering option is Museum Glass. Museum Glass provides 99 percent UV protection. It is the first choice of SF Framing’s professional framers. While more expensive than other glass frame options, it is crystal clear and has unique anti-reflective properties.

With Summer here, there isn’t a better time for you to make certain you are not putting your artwork in harm’s way. If you suspect you have artwork that could use UV protection, bring it to us and we will help you evaluate it for FREE. If you would like us to provide you with Museum Glass to protect your art, mention this blog and we will give you a 50% discount off Museum Glass (for any picture frame up to 36″ x 48″ in size) until the end of summer 2022 (September 22).

What is happening in Ukraine is breaking our hearts!

When news of the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine hit the world media, we immediately felt helpless. Our hearts went out to the innocent civilians who were subjected to the horrors of war in their previously peaceful homeland.

It wasn’t until we discovered the work of World Central Kitchen (WCK) that we began to see a way we can help from here. Almost immediately, WCK began serving meals to families traveling long distances and waiting for hours at border crossings in Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia. At the same time, urgent food needs quickly grew within Ukraine. For residents who remain either in their homes or the millions of people who have travelled west and were internally displaced, WCK mobilized local restaurants, expanding the provision of hot meals at train stations, shelters, hospitals, and directly to people in their homes. Most recently, WCK began providing hot meals and food product to cities liberated in the north that are beginning to recover from the occupation.

World Centric Kitchen Ukraine — WCK feeding the people of Ukraine.

Even Custom Picture Frames can help support the people of Ukraine!

WCK has created a new model for disaster relief helping devastated communities recover and establish resilient food systems. SF Framing wants to join World Central Kitchen’s mission to use the power of food to nourish the world. For every purchase of a custom picture frame beginning April 11, 2022, SF Framing will donate $20.00 to World Central Kitchen.

Shop Local = Benefits Local

As everyone knows, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected small businesses like SF Framing. With the closure of thousands of local businesses, everyone is beginning to question how and where they purchase their food, cleaning supplies, and even framing services. The impact of that choice is much larger than it may first seem.

Best Framing Can Be Found Locally at SF Framing — Buying Locally – Benefits Locally

At SF Framing, we support our local community. Naturally, the support of local jobs is a crucial factor – when people buy locally, they help create jobs for teachers, parents, and many other essential workers. However, people often fail to appreciate the host of other benefits in their decision to buy local. Buying from a locally owned businesses helps conserve energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.

Studies prove that when people buy locally, it doubles the amount of money that stays within the community because of a local economic multiplier effect. Further to this, local spending actually increases the velocity of money through the economy – the more money that passes through more hands gives more people the ability to enjoy the benefit of that money. That’s why supporting small businesses in your local Bay Area community – like SF Framing – means so much!

Benefits local government

custom picture framing acrylic glass museum conservation SF Framing Sunnyvale — Matt framing beautiful artwork for a client!

Put simply, companies like SF Framing who generate sales and profit in the Bay Area, pay taxes in the Bay Area. These taxes are then spent by the Government in local communities on critical initiatives such as new infrastructure, services and other important initiatives for our county. You simply don’t get these benefits when choosing products from big box stores, multinational and out-of-state corporations.

Environmental benefits

We work with our clients to carefully understand their artwork and project scope. When you purchase an SF Framing product, you can be confident that in most cases world-leading environmental standards are implemented during its manufacture.

Special “Buy Local” Offer

Mention this blog and we will offer you 50% off museum glass (up to 36” x 48” in size) with a purchase of a custom frame until May 1, 2022.

We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Create an office that feels like home!

A large percentage of the American population now either wants to work from home, or wants to find a better work-life balance. As a result, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to get workers back into the office when a windowless room or a small cubicle is the destination. With this trend in mind, companies who want their workers to feel their office is more like home, should carefully consider office décor that helps turn a workspace into a welcoming and home-like environment!

We can help you make your office feel more like an inviting home!

When it comes to office décor, nothing can make an office feel more like home than tastefully framed art and collectible conversation pieces that reflect employee talent, taste, and interests. Oh sure, you should definitely consider other home-like enhancements such as warm, natural wood surfaces and carpets, furniture selected to make each area within an office unique, and comfortable sofas and seating for reading, informal and impromptu meetings. But, when it comes to office walls, nothing speaks louder than the beautiful things you can place on your walls.

A Very Special Office-Away-From-Home Framing Offer!

If you would like your office to feel more like a home, we suggest you stop by SF Framing. When you ponder, “What’s the best framing store near me?“, again think SF Framing. Whatever your custom framing needs, we will make certain you receive the very best picture framing design services available anywhere. We invite you to explore with us any ideas you might have to make your employees feel more welcome. Contact us today! Take advantage of our autumn season savings! Mention this blog and we will give you a 50% discount off Museum Glass (for any size frame with the purchase of a custom frame) until the end of autumn 2021 (December 21).

Note: Offer not valid with any other coupons, discounts, offers, or vouchers.

How much does picture framing cost?

How much does picture framing cost?

This is likely the most common question we receive at SF Framing. The cost to frame pictures varies as much as the photos, prints, posters, paintings and collectibles these picture frames display. Frames are available in every color, style, size and decorative theme conceivable. Of course, basic picture frames can be bought at almost any specialty boutique, general merchandise, book or stationary store. However, to ensure a high quality custom presentation that matches your office or home’s decor and best complements the artwork itself, it is vitally important to ensure photos, prints, posters, paintings and collectibles – even shredded art like “The Girl with the Balloon” by Banksy – are professionally framed. Custom-framing shops like ours, as well as art & craft stores and a few big box retailers offer picture framing services. No matter where picture framing services are sourced, the aspects that most affect the cost of any custom picture framing project are the framing materials chosen, the specially-cut mats and small features that surround the artwork, and the quality of art design work involved in creating custom framing for particular artwork.

SF Framing can frame anything… even something shredded!

Frame materials

Picture frames have traditionally been made of wood, which is still the most common material. Other materials used include gold, silver, bronze, aluminum, and plastics. The simpler the frame, the less it will cost. Of course, the size and shape of the frame will affect the cost as well. Most professional frame shops like SF Framing have thousands of frame styles, textures, colors and finishes on hand to choose from. Most like SF Framing also offer different types of glass, from clear to ultra-violet protective, and a variety of museum-grade, acid-free archival mat materials to preserve artwork from indoor light and sun damage, acid damage, dust and moisture.

Services

Full-service custom framing shops like SF Framing provide in-store design consultation services and offer countless frame types, including shadow boxes and floater frames, to create a wide variety of the very best finished appearances. In addition to framing paintings and photographs, the framing professionals at SF Framing can create custom shadow boxes and frames for memorabilia such as collectibles, family heirlooms, fabric projects, and more.

Pricing

The price for custom framing varies, depending on size, and type of materials used. Almost all of the materials used in picture framing vary in price. The following are some cost examples of do-it-yourself framing. If the art measures 16″ by 20″, the starting price for a metal frame, clear glass, and backing, will be $29.95 + tax. The starting price for the same size in a wood picture frame will be $59.95 + tax. If the art measures 24″ by 36″, the starting price for a metal frame, clear glass and backing will be $79.95 + tax. The starting price for the same size in a wood picture frame, will be $129.00 + tax. The type of glass, matting, mounting, and picture framing material used, will all be determining factors in the final price.

The Very Best Framing Services

While we believe you will find no better source of framing services than those available from SF Framing, we thought you might like to read more about framing in general. Take look at our FAQ page for more information, or contact us today at 408-733-6060 or email us at sfframing@yahoo.com. We look forward to speaking with you!

Treasured Memories… could light the corners of your life!

Custom Framed and Preserved Family Portrait with Acid Free Matting.

Exactly why custom frame anything? Well, do you have an unusual item that has been inherited from friends or family, or a memento that you have had for years and cannot bear to part with?

From old postcards or photographs, to gifts from distant lands where relatives traveled to explore new adventures, keepsakes can be a reminder of a special moment, a time in our lives we don’t want to fade or a memory of a loved one we don’t want to forget.

An item passed down or collected over the years might seem unusual on the face of it, but could have a really special story behind it. Sadly, if not documented and well preserved, sometimes the origins of those treasures aren’t always clear.

Which well-dressed relatives are in that old black and white photograph? Which great aunt created that beautiful needlepoint? Exactly where was that stunning watercolor painted? Many people save special items that become treasured heirlooms, and heirlooms often carry treasured memories. If you have an unusual item that has been inherited from friends or family, or an item you have had for years and cannot bear to part with, it’s time to preserve that memory before it is lost forever. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, SF Framing can help you preserve and proudly display that cherished object.

Family heirloom framed in conservation UV acrylic shadow box.

Family heirlooms are a wonderful treasure, but they can be easily damaged by light, heat, humidity, pests, and handling. Sunlight and fluorescent light fade and discolor most treasures, and are especially dangerous to fabrics, paper, and photographs. Historic objects can also be harmed by a variety of items including abrasive cleaners; glues, adhesive tapes, and labels; staples, and paper clips; acidic wood, cardboard, or paper; and pens and markers.

Heirlooms stored away in a box bring much less enjoyment! By choosing to frame and display your family treasures, they can bring you great joy as they benefit from the protection of ultraviolet light-filtering glass. Before those memories fade away, SF Framing is making it easier than ever to preserve and display your memories with custom framing. Mention this blog and we will offer you 50% off Museum Glass (for any size frame – yours or ours) until June 20, 2018. We look forward to seeing you (and your treasured possessions) very soon!

Shop Small… and Save Big!

SF Framing is the place to save big on custom framing! Whether you are a homeowner, entrepreneur or an artist, you know you have seen increasing choices about where you can frame your precious artwork, family heirloom or prized collectible – from nearby big box stores to Internet sites far away. With all those new choices, finding the right framer seems like a big challenge… but finding a framer in your area that has an artistic eye and offers great service is a very rare find. The good news is what you are looking for is exactly what we provide at SF Framing!

Shop Small and Save Big $ at SF Framing!

We know when you experience what we have to offer, you will agree that small independent businesses like SF Framing provide valuable hands-on shopping experiences and superior services, in addition to providing valuable revenue for our local community. Sales taxes from local businesses like ours provide many city and county services that we all rely on for a healthy community. So, as the holiday shopping season gets officially underway, we hope you will Shop Small and Save Big at SF Framing.

By shopping at SF Framing, you get the best picture framing services available anywhere and you continue to help our community thrive. With the holidays approaching, we invite you to celebrate with us and take advantage of some year-end savings – just in time for holiday gifting! Mention this blog and we will give you 50% discount off the moulding of your next frame purchase (maximum $50 per frame) and a FREE gift!

Buying Locally = Benefits Locally

The impact of choosing to buy locally made products – be that food, cleaning supplies, and even the framing services you require, is much larger than it may first seem. The support of local jobs is a crucial factor, however, people often fail to appreciate the host of other benefits in their decision to buy local.

Buying Locally – Benefits Locally

Studies prove that when people buy locally, double the amount of money stays within the community because of a local economic multiplier effect. Money spent on locally produced items (like your picture frames) largely flows to other local goods and services, like components and supplies, employment, utilities and so on, purchased to support what we produce and the employees within the community who make these products. And so the cycle continues. Further to this, local spending actually increases the velocity of money through the economy – the more money that passes through more hands gives more people the ability to enjoy the benefit of that money. That’s why supporting suppliers in your local Bay Area community – like SF Framing – means so much!

We work with our clients to carefully understand their artwork and project scope.

Supports local employment

The benefits to local employment are multiplied when you support SF Framing. Purchasing local products like our picture framing services supports not only the jobs of those who make and market our products, but also has a halo effect on the broader community in which our business operates. For example, many other local businesses sell their products and services to us (office supplies, cleaning supplies and energy). Plus employees spend their earnings locally on food, housing, education and more – therefore supporting other local businesses along the way.