Where do we start?
Custom Picture Framing
From pictures and posters to jerseys and flags, trust our 49 years in business to “wow” you with great custom framing for any appication.
It's an extension of your art and your taste.
We will walk you through the steps of choosing the right framing treatment for your artwork.
Unlike big-box and chain stores, you won’t find any cheap grade materials here. We exclusively use acid-free materials, reversible mounting techniques and glass (glazing) that is specially coated to eliminate the light that makes things fade. If you’re going to spend money to protect something– make sure you do it right!
Expert Service and Great Prices!
Give us a shot! — our prices are very competitive and our finished product is second to none. We’ve been in business here in Costa Mesa for over 49 years and know all the little tricks that allow us to turn out a great product at a great price.
Ten things to know before framing your picture:
What and why to custom frame the artwork
Whether you are framing a poster, your child’s hand-prints, or a fine work of art, custom framing will reflect your personal taste and protect your piece for years to come. In most cases you keep a well framed piece of art will last longer than most of your furniture.
Where are you going to display your artwork--"Consider the surroundings"
While you should certainly consider the room’s decor, you shouldn’t match the frame to the room at the expense of what looks good with the picture. Keep in mind that the room decor may change in the future.
The best starting point is the artwork its self
Sometimes its important to take a step back and examine the artwork. This might be called an ounce of prevention. Many times cherished art is damaged prior to arriving, because it is improperly stored or transported.
If it’s a rolled piece such as a poster, serious damage can be caused by rubber bands, tape, paperclips and even a gentile squeeze. Proper handling is the real secret. Make sure that the artwork is placed in a folder, protective covering, or a tube.
When lifting a piece of paper art, including photographs, always use two hands. Lifting paper with one hand can cause “half moon” shaped creases in the paper.
At this point lets talk about the little details that make the framing pop.
Adding another element to your framing like a fillet, creative window openings, cutart design in the mat or writing on the mat, or fabric mats can add a distinctive flair to your artwork.
We are familiar with these options, and can help you decide what works best with your item. Sometimes it’s the smallest element in framing your artwork that makes it stand out.
"The surroundings"
Choosing the best frame to enhance your artwork may seam like a impossible task. If you have taken the steps presented already this task will be easier. There are thousands of different frame styles and a variety of stains, glazes, and finishes to choose from in our store, but we will walk you through the selection.
We will help you pick a group of frames that meet you requirements and help you select the one which presents the artwork best for your home.
"The Framing Package"
Now that you have selected the matting and frame it is time to complete the framing package. Most artwork should be protected with archival materials. You must remember you are framing something that may live for many years and what might be inexpensive today may have great value in the future either in dollars or reliving memories.
You must remember that all framing material are not created equal, many paper mats and cardboard contain acid that will destroy your art. These materials are NOT used by The Starving Artist and have not in forty years. Using archival mats and backing boards will help protect your artwork from the damaging effects of time and from common pollutants that cause yellowing and deterioration.
This process starts from the top. The frames must be designed not to containment the materials it comes in contact . If glazing is required it must have the u/v properties that restrict the rays getting to the artwork. The mats and other materials that come in contact with the artwork must not contaminate.
You must check the artwork for contaminates that may be attached from being handled. The next item to check is hinging or mounting materials use to be sure they will not harm the artwork. And finial the backing and dust cover must not have any materials that can damage the framing package (art envelope).
"A step back may help."
Stepping back to the art package. It is very important to make sure the methods used to attach the artwork are proper. If the artwork is to be mounted it is important to cover two things before you decide on the method to be used. First is this item replaceable and will mounting it damage the artwork.
Why is this so important? First anytime you mount something it loses it financial value and the mounting process can go wrong because some of the new material used by printers are not stable when subjected to heat or moister. Dry mount and wet mount process bond artwork to a board to prevent artwork from bubbling or cocking and are most appropriate for posters and photographs.
Pieces of any value generally should not be dry or wet mounted since these processes are irreversible and can greatly affect any resale value. Museum mounting, commonly known as hinging, attaches the art with Japanese paper hinges (or other archival materials) to the board. The art hangs freely, allowing it to expand or contract with changes in humidity.
Hinging or archival photo corners are recommended for original artwork, delicate photographs and other irreplaceable items.
"Put it all together."
Now that we have covered what you should look for in framing your artwork it is time to put it all together.
As a Professional Picture Framer we are best equipped to provide this service.r. We have for over forth nine years helped our “friends”– (customers) create attractive framing. Our years of experience with preservation framing and design using a variety of materials and methods allows us to help guide you in your selections.
We hold the designation of Certified Picture Framer. The Professional Picture Framers Association administers a extensive exam covering all aspects of conservation framing techniques and methods.
"Review the four steps we have covered
- With artwork in hand, you should determine what will best compliment the artwork
2) Examine the artwork’s condition before framing. Are there any problems you need to address with us.
3) Where is this artwork going to be displayed? What other artwork is in the room and how will this affect the decor.
4) What type of framing is required? Not all artwork require conservation treatment, but not knowing the future of the artwork — it is best to error on the side of preservation. The small cost today may pay off in dividends in the future.
Ask questions and give your requirements for your artwork up front so there will be no misunderstanding.
As I’ve stated before–“Artwork has a life of it’s own and that it will provide many years of enjoyment .” You must not rush this design process. We will present many chooses, unlike the ready-made and volume framers who only present the items on-hand.
We can create a picture framing package just for you and your artwork, this might mean we will have carve a special frame, finish it to your requirements and create a mat from cloth, wood or some other material that will be unique just for you.
Now the QUESTION : WHY?
Why a "Professional Picture Framer?"
That is not a hard question to answer. You wouldn’t trust your health to car dealer, so why trust the health of your artwork to a craft store or someone who is not a expert in handling artwork or your memorabila?
Professional Custom Picture framers have the experiance and knowledge to preserve you artwork.
Custom Framing
"Framing should celebrate, enhance, and even glorify your picture."
With framing, matting and mounting — we will give your artwork a “home”. There are three reason why we want your picture to have a home: Two are practical and one is esthetic.
1) Support
Support for ease of viewing – At its simplest, framing acts to support your artwork for optimum viewing. Proper framing keeps the image flat and permits it to be easily placed upright on a wall or other support at a suitable viewing height.
2) Protection
If you want your artwork to last, they should be protected from dirt, dust and other environmental factors such as light, moisture and contact with inferior acidic paper products.
No matter how careful you are, every time the artwork is handled, you may be doing harm. The natural oils and acids in your hands can act to break down the surface of your artwork. In addition, if a artwork is in direct contact with glass, it may stick over time. Therefore, we always recommend keeping artwork (and any other art for that matter) from contacting the glass with a mat or spacer.
3) Artistic
The third consideration is the artistic and aesthetic value proper framing can add to your artwork.
Framing should (1) celebrate, enhance, and even glorify your picture; (2) find a balance so your artwork doesn’t overwhelm the environment, and the environment doesn’t impose on the artwork; and (3) act as a transition between the wall and the image.
Framing can also draw the eye to the artwork, emphasizing the more subtle elements and colors, and even increasing the apparent size of the image
Custom Framing
“Quality custom framing will outlast the carpeting and furniture in your home, as well as all the cars, clothing, sound systems, televisions, and kitchen appliances you’ll never purchase. It can pass from generation to generation and still look good as the day it was done.”
We can ‘work our magic’ on even the most difficult layout & make it look professional.”
From a wedding certificate to a child’s scholastic achievement award, you should consider featuring document framing in your home. We’ve have handled many types of documents for framing. – historic pieces like maps, old stock certificates and grandparents passports to newer pieces like newspaper and magazine articles. Not only will we help make your documents LOOK great with quality you’ll see, we’ll KEEP them looking great for years to come with quality you may not see – archival framing… we’ll show you the difference.
