Good Questions: Online Sources for Simple Frames?

We got an email from Matt & Jess: I'm interested in doing a wall gallery in the style of sfgirlbybay's (pictured). She gets all her frames from IKEA; however, I don't live near one and a recent trip to Hobby Lobby and Michaels revealed that their idea of frames is much more ornate and traditional than mine. Does anyone know of any online sources for decent, simple, frames in the IKEA style (preferably with glass, not the clear plastic bendable stuff)?

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I've looked but have yet to find something good. IKEA doesn't sell their frames online (unless you can buy them via the catalog? I don't know ...)

One source: We've purchased these Gallery Frames from Blick Art Materials, which have a similar look to the Ikea frames and are available online (but do have an acrylic face, not glass, due to shipping concerns). We're hoping to get more suggestions in the comments - please add yours below...

Top Photo: sfgirlbybay

Comments (17)

target online has a variety of simple frames, including "gallery in a box" choices that include a variety of sizes in the same simple style frame. sound just like what you might need. you'll find them in a search from frames in home decor section.

west elm has gallery style frames with glass online ranging from $12-$44 here:

http://tinyurl.com/5fmkeq

I've had great luck with American Frame:
http://www.americanframe.com/

I have a few pieces framed in their black, metal Standard Plus One frame that look great.They're especially good for odd-sized stuff. They cut all the components to your specs and then send you the pieces to assemble.

here's a second recommendation for american frame. i have some very simple graphite-looking metal frames from there. i love that you can do custom sizing and custom mats for a very affordable price. there's also a neat feature where you can scan in an image of whatever art you want to frame and preview it w/ the frame and mat you've chosen.

if you live near a Garden Ridge...they have tons of cheap frames....plain and matted that are extremely affordable.

I ordered one of the Gallery Frames from Blick Art Materials, and it wasn't nearly as high quality as the Ikea frames. Plus, two of the four corners were pretty banged up. I won't use them again.

Graphik Dimensions is great as you can custom order frames, have mats cut and get plexi and foam core backing all in one order. The custom size part is the best.

http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/Home

And a third for American Frame. We got the glass for the frames cut from a local glass company and it was *very* inexpensive.

DO NOT BUY THE FRAMES FROM BLICK!!!!!
I ordered a bunch last April (roughly $400 ) and ended up sending each and everyone of them back. The acrylic was more like wrinkly, bubbly cellophane, and the natural wood- actually yellow okra and brown. One frame arrived completely broken in half, while 90% of the frames had crushed corners. The price is appealing, and the product images look tempting, but there is definitely a reason as to why the frames are so cheap!

You can try Utrecht or Pearl art supply stores. I'm pretty sure they sell online as well.

Yeah, damage while shipping with Blick is a problem. Expect to exchange 50% or more of each shipment (including the exchanged 2nd round).

@Shark: did you peel the film off both (yes, both) sides of the acrylic? Sorry to ask the 'is your computer plugged in?' question, but I had the same reaction until I figured out they had both sides covered in a film.

I made the mistake of sending one of the few intact frames in my first batch to Seattle by FedEx after putting in a poster and repacking it with care in the original packing material plus some extra. Luckily I ensured heavily (more for the one-of-a-kind print than for the frame) and FedEx granted the insurance claim without incident. The frame was completely destroyed, though the print was okay. The recipient was able to get it reframed with the insurance check, but it would have been much easier to send the print in a tube and have her frame it in Seattle with a gift certificate instead of trying to ship the complete package.

Aaron Brothers. And you can go to their website and usually find a coupon for them as well.

In Canada, Opus Framing is wonderful:

http://www.opusframing.com/

Multiple types of readymade frames available online. Back when I was in art school in the 80's we used nothing but their metal exhibition frames: they still have them.

jeffzelli,
haha, yes, unfortunately both sides of the protective film was indeed removed; though there wasn't much of a difference!

You can buy IKEA frames from 3rd party IKEA sellers on ebay. Just go to ebay and search for "IKEA frames". Cheaper if you buy in bulk because the shipping fee is usually flat at around $10/shipping.