SF Good Questions: Art Framing Materials on a Budget?

Dear AT:SF, I need your help! I recently found an absolutely gorgeous art work on Etsy done on hand-made paper. The edges are quite uneven and the paper itself is very much part of the artwork. The seller suggests to use float mounting to hinge the work on a ragboard 2.5-3" inches wider than paper size, and a shadowbox type of frame with a depth that will allow at least 0.5" between the artwork and the glass (or rather conservation glass, museum quality)...

...Thus I would need a frame (or shadowbox) to accommodate a 26x21" work as well as an acid free matboard, spacers and UV filtering glazing. The seller estimates all these materials for about $200-240, which is quite high for my budget. So my question is where in Bay Area can I shop for such and pay less or at least save on cost of shipping?

Here is a picture of a similar framing technique just to give an idea what I am talking about. I would like much thinner frame (like 0.5" oak), which won't overpower the art...
Thank you in advance,

Valerie

Anyone?

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Comments (3)

The best way to save money is to buy a standard size frame and mount the artwork to an acid-free backing, usually a mat board. A 22x28 is the closest size to what you are looking for. The frame does not need to be a shadowbox, as long as it is deep enough for the pieces inside. A frame shop can cut you some UV protective glass to fit you frame and add glass spacers to lift the glass away from your artwork. Art supply stores, and some frame shops, sell acid free hinging tape and hardware to secure everything. If you shop around, you should be able to do it well for under $100. A frame that thin won't secure the weight of framing grade UV glass, however. Being in CA, a one inch frame can be secured to the wall for safety. UV acrylic is available but costs more and scratches easily. Make sure the backing board (mat) and the frame are very close in color and you won't be distracted by a wider frame. Good luck.

posted by soul space design on June 23rd 2008 at 12:09pm
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As a former framer, I would estimate that the frame job you are describing would actually cost you more here in our fair city if you are looking for an actual oak frame (if it just has to look like oak, that's a different story).

You could build the frame yourself if you are comfortable with woodworking and have access to saws and routers and such- that is nearly always the cheapest option. Builder's Hardware Supply sells molding that is good for making frames with. Otherwise thrift stores and places like SCRAP often have nice frames that just need some love.

Frame shops that do their work on site will usually sell you a piece of glass cut to size, and as for the rest of the supplies I think you could get them at most art stores- like Dick Blick, Pearl, or Flax.

There's always Cheap Pete's too.

posted by renter379 on June 23rd 2008 at 12:14pm
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You should be able to get everything you need to piece together a nice frame from here: http://danielsmith.com/category~cat~600.asp they have a variety of frame styles and woods that can be ordered in all kinds of lengths (basically you order two sets of 2, length and width). Spacers are pretty cheap, too, or if you're feeling crafty enough (and have the right cutting devices) you can use mat board to create your own. It is a bit of a headache to do it all yourself, but you will definitely save A LOT of money. Many (not all) frame shops are a terrible rip off when it comes down to materials and craftsmanship. If you feel confident enough to try your own hand, you definitely should, it's pretty easy nowadays since you can get frame lengths within the inch of any size.

posted by trygve on June 23rd 2008 at 4:24pm
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