Tag Archives: silicon valley

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!

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.

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.

Customer Care is alive and well at SF Framing!

A passenger being forcibly removed from a plane after refusing to give up his seat is the way one airline is treating their customers. As we know, airline travel already seems like a slaughter house. Like virtual cattle, travelers are often forced into lines, evaluated, processed, and packed into space with less and less comfort.

We must admit, not all of this is the fault of airlines. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), its rules and its security checkpoints certainly contribute to the discomfort we all experience today. In addition to the TSA, we might also consider ourselves somewhat to blame. While we consumers demand lower and lower airfares, the airlines must comply to survive – while recovering their costs by adding preferred seating charges, checked baggage fees, reduced food options and increasingly cramped conditions.

The whole experience is indicative of our society’s larger demand for lower prices while we accept a gradual decline in product quality, customer service and attention to detail. In no time conditions fail to be tolerable, but like cattle to slaughter, we resolve ourselves to accept that there is nothing we can do.

We have experienced this in so many ways… in the way we now purchase our gasoline, our groceries, our overnight stays, our transportation, and our music (just to name a few). How often do we unwittingly avoid a locally-owned store to seek out a super deal at a discount business, asking for help and finding a blank stare coming at us from the person on the other side of the counter? As we demand lower prices from businesses that have become larger by swallowing up their smaller competitors, personal touch, product quality and customer care is being lost.

All is not lost! The good news is that there are still locally-owned companies like SF Framing who provide you with an authentic customer care experience. When you become a client of SF Framing, you will discover we provide a detailed explanation of how the process works, deliver the quality product you are looking for and complete our service for you on time and within your budget.

Customer Care isn’t dead at SF Framing. Come visit us today and allow us to demonstrate that for you!

How is my artwork mounted and held securely in place?

What many “big box” and “chain store” framers call their “proven method” of mounting artwork is actually a procedure developed decades ago to mount processed photographs, lithographs, posters and other types of images popular at the time. This old-technology and the dry mounting materials used were once acceptable, but the heat and mounting time required in this old process can cause serious problems to contemporary images. Even if no damage is immediately apparent, the acid exposure, higher heat and longer mounting time of old mounting methods can alter the ink chemistry enough to create or accelerate color shift, bubbling and/or fading over time – potentially damaging your artwork.

Serigraphs, lithographs, monoprints and fine art are commonly mounted using a hinged tape method that dries out over time and can release the artwork from its original position. To prevent this from happing today, SF framing now uses an acid free four corner mounting method that secures the artwork for a lifetime.

Secure monting process.

New permanent mounting process used by SF Framing.

Recognizing new digital imaging technologies have been rapidly replacing older-technology image types, SF Framing now mounts all digital prints, inkjet, giclee, laminated charts and maps, posters and prints using a new high tech dry mounting adhesive process called Gilman MountCor. This new permanent adhesive process protects virtually all modern art images using low temperatures and fast mounting times to ensure your art is mounted safely and cleanly using a pH neutral and particle free process.

When you choose to work with the professionals at SF Framing, you can be assured we only use high quality materials, modern equipment and state-of-the-art procedures to provide you with the very best mounting and framing experience available today.

Choosing your Custom Picture Framing Material is Important!

NOT All Custom Picture Frames Are Created Equal… Choose Carefully!

Throughout history, frames have been made with varying techniques and inconsistent materials. As surprising as this might seem, this inconsistency has lead to the unintended deterioration or unanticipated destruction of many a collectible or family heirloom. Of the many elements to consider in determining how to best frame art, the one that is often most overlooked is the actual framing material chosen – yet the framing material is the most important element to consider carefully. With the confusing array of picture framing materials available to you at the ‘big box’ stores, you might ask yourself, “What picture framing material should I choose?” Before considering the framing material you would like to use, be sure to understand the various factors that are most important to you by answering these questions:

1. Preservation: Is the art piece you wish to frame, something that you would like to preserve for a long time?
2. Structural Integrity: Do you wish the frame to maintain its structural integrity over time (e.g. keep corners tight, etc.) despite frequent moves, sunlight exposure, etc.
3. Visual Aesthetics: What image do you wish your frame to portray? Is the color and/or texture of the frame appropriate for the environment where it will be displayed?
4. Environment: Are you interested in ensuring your frame is produced with environmentally friendly materials?
5. Health: Do you wish the frame to be free of potentially harmful chemicals which could potentially affect your household’s health?

SF Framing picture framing sunnyvale

Picture frame materials can vary – choose carefully to get the best results!

By carefully considering these factors, you will help yourself get a better idea of the picture framing material that will be perfect for you. SF Framing can then provide you with the added guidance to help you determine the best frame material to use from those available to you by showing you these options:

1. Plastic
2. MDF (Medium Density Fiber / Composite)
3. Photographic (soft wood backer with a thin photographic skin)
4. Veneer (soft wood backer with a thin layer of a premium wood finish)
5. Metal (aluminum, steel, etc.)
6. Solid hardwood

By choosing the most appropriate material to custom frame any piece of art, you will not only help preserve it, but you will ensure your framed art is greatly enhanced by the perfect framing material you have chosen.

custom picture framing acrylic glass museum conservation SF Framing Sunnyvale

When should I choose glass or acrylic to cover my artwork?

Most people are familiar with the use of moulding and matting when it comes to custom framing, however, many are unaware of the importance of glazing when it comes to the protection and beauty of their framed piece. This is understandable as you might even ask yourself, what is “glazing”? Glazing is the protective covering used in picture framing – it refers to either acrylic or glass. It’s understandable when people wonder if they should cover their artwork with glass, acrylic or nothing at all.

The glazing you choose can be extremely important as glazing will help protect your cherished artwork, family photos, or any object you wish to have framed. We know that when you come to SF Framing to custom frame, it is because the piece you are framing is important to you, and the project you bring to us is something you want to enjoy for a long time to come. The following are our recommendations for you:

We generally do not recommend glazing over oils, acrylic and giclee paintings.

Acrylic is preferable for the majority of artwork. It is both lighter than glass and shatterproof – important factors to consider in regions plagued with earthquakes and for pieces larger than 36 inches x 48 inches. An exception is pastels, since acrylic’s static charge can attract fine chalk particles from the artwork. In this case, glass is often substituted.

Whether you choose glass or acrylic glazing, when you have something that you want to preserve from the effects of damaging ultraviolet (UV) light, we recommend the glazing material chosen be treated with a special coating to keep out damaging UV light. This is often called “Museum” acrylic or glass – which is more expensive than standard acrylic or glass. A new economical anti-reflective, UV protective glass is now available from SF Framing to help reduce the cost of preserving your piece.

Always ask your SF Framing design consultant about the best glazing choices available for your treasured artwork.

Welcome to Our New Updated Site

OK, we’re officially gushing! You’ll have to forgive us.

We’re proud to unveil our new website and blog. You’ll want to bookmark this site and visit our blog often. In addition to keeping you updated with the latest coupons and offers, we’ll be sharing Before and After photos from our favorite projects, and letting you know about the latest advancements in framing.

Michelle browsingMatt & Michelle 310_EcocarePlease take some time to visit our site and get to know us better. Download your coupon and say hello to us on Twitter!

We’re here to serve you, so let us know if you have any comments, questions or concerns by leaving a comment below. Looking forward to seeing you inside our store soon!