CHEAP PICTURE FRAMING
Are you looking for the cheapest picture framer in town?
Be a smart consumer and consider the risks involved when choosing your picture framer based on price alone. Educate yourself on the different matboards, glazing products, mouldings and techniques, and make an informed decision.
What cheap picture framing buys you - ruined artwork and a hefty repair and restoration bill later. Is it really worth the risk?
Shown here are some hidden "discoveries" inside cheap frames - frames that have come in to our gallery for repair. The results of cheap products and incorrect mounting techniques can have devastating effects on artwork, irreversibly ruining them and rendering them worthless.
The lack of qualified picture framers in our industy is truly terrifying and unfortunately you can't always see what your framer has done inside your frame. We spend a great deal of time trying to fix other framers' mistakes. They glue artworks down, use cheap materials, staple priceless needleworks to acidic MDF...and all to save a few dollars.
"80% of all damage done to valuable artwork is caused by incorrect framing".
This is a well known fact. Click here to read an article published in The Age, 7th June 2010.
For your own peace of mind, please ensure that your picture framer is qualified. Only a qualified picture framer has studied, sat and passed an exam, and has earned their certification. Look for the letters after their name on their business card - CGF or CPF.
 Discolouration caused by the use of regular clear glass without UV protection. |  Needleworks glued onto acidic sticky board. |  A tapestry stretched onto a piece of timber and taped. |
|---|---|---|
 These corners were cut - literally! |  This beautiful antique etching had been taped with double-side tape to the backing board. It was damaged beyond repair |  Thank you to Warnpike and Associates for ruining this limited edition print. They have - a) Permanently glued it onto MDF b) Glued the wooden fillet to the face of the image!! c) Created a nightmare for me...I have to reverse this disaster d) My customer's not happy at the $$$ she now has to spend. |
 The photo on the right came in for re-framing, but it was completely damaged from incorrect framing and had to be re-printed. It had been sandwiched up against the glass, without the correct mounting or air space. |  I was devastated to find this hidden inside a frame. A Leunig silkscreen print on fabric had been stapled to highly acidic MDF, ripped and written on by the previous framer. No care had been taken whatsoever. |  I was devastated to find this hidden inside a frame. A Leunig silkscreen print on fabric had been stapled to highly acidic MDF, ripped and written on by the previous framer. No care had been taken whatsoever. |
 I was devastated to find this hidden inside a frame. A Leunig silkscreen print on fabric had been stapled to highly acidic MDF, ripped and written on by the previous framer. No care had been taken whatsoever. |  |  |
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How a bad frame design can ruin your artwork
A frame design can either make or break your artwork. Don't be led to believe that it doesn't really matter. If you have a look at the before and after photos below, we think you'll agree - frame design does matter, and a great frame design can add value to your art. A bad frame design can make the most valuable artwork look cheap and awful.
 Before and after. |  Before re-framing |  After framing |  This photo needed "breathing space" |
|---|---|---|---|
 The purple is too overwhelming |  After re-matting |
 This could be a cheap poster... |  ...it's an original oil painting! |  Before re-framing |  After re-framing |
|---|---|---|---|
 Before - why on earth?? |  After re-framing |