Picture Frame Molding

eteffner · #1 02-14-2005, 01:42 PM

Afternoon,

I'm new to picture framing - very new! I've been reading other threads and the information is great for the tools that I will need. My question is - are there manufacturers who sell the molding?

I know I can go down to my local hardware store and purchase molding, but I still need to make a rabbit for the picture, mat, etc... to fit in. Just trying to make my life a bit easier... Especially since I'm not too handy with a router.

Does anyone have any good suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!

Elizabeth

Helen Zapata · #2 02-14-2005, 03:14 PM

Hi Elizabeth

I don't know how extensive your local hardware store will be, but there are lots of styles of molding that already have the rabbit cut in. I'm sure if you check around, you should be able to find a molding supplier with hundreds of profiles to choose from.

Or, you can avoid cutting a rabbit on flat molding by gluing a narrow strip to the back, thereby actually building a rabbit, instead of cutting it out.

Helen

Enchanted · #3 02-14-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atapaz

I'm sure if you check around, you should be able to find a molding supplier with hundreds of profiles to choose from.

It's my understanding that the molding suppliers who supply frame shops with the raw lengths of the various decorative designs normally do not sell to individuals - you must be a legitimate framing business. That having been said, I should look on the Web! I'll bet there is someone somewhere who sells moldings in frame-shop lengths.

The moldings sold in places like Home Depot and Lowes will work for plain-Jane picture frames. Problem I'm running into of late is that they are charging a lot for "real wood" moldings, which are often joined from short pieces. The more affordable stuff is a "simulated wood" made from recycled plastic bags, or something.

eteffner · #4 02-16-2005, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the advice!

I have been hunting on the Internet for molding suppliers and I think Jaxas is correct. I can't find anyone who sells molding.

Well I guess my carpentry skills are going to improve (LOL), and I'll be visiting my local hardware store. I have made a survey of the two local stores. The Lowes near my house has a much better selection of moldings than the Home Depot.

Helen - Thanks for the tip for the quick rabbit!! Saves me the cost of buying a router - or borrowing one...

Well... off to Lowes I go...

Elizabeth

Helen Zapata · #5 02-16-2005, 09:35 AM

I know the owner of Barger Moulding here in Phoenix, and so I asked him about this dilemma yesterday. (he's supplied me with molding in the past). I asked him if it's true that molding places like his only sell to companies, or will they ordinarily sell to individuals. He said that it's pretty much true that the molding shops usually stick to the businesses because individuals usually only want a few yards of moulding. He said it's too expensive to set up and cut just those few feet. I asked what was more normal, and he said a thousand feet or more. Ah well, I can understand that. When I needed a bunch of it for a show, he had me pick from a bunch of profiles that were already on order from companies, and he was able to tack my teeny order onto the tail end of theirs. (meaning that it didn't take special setup on the saws to cut mine)

Anyway, have fun Elizabeth! Let us know how you make out!

OH! EDIT! I just remembered. My molding friend told me that they have TONS of extra "end cuts" that they just throw away. He showed me the huge trash container that they fill with these bits and pieces every day. He told me that I was welcome to any and all of that anytime I like. I didn't really want to climb into that big thing (I think my scrambling days are over) but I bet that some folks might be interested in that.. could be other molding companies will say the same thing.

Helen

colin · #6 02-16-2005, 04:07 PM

Hi Elizabeth,
While Im a big fan of Dumpster Diving in general

theres more options you could pursue :

One way you could do it is to find an artist in your area with a tax number ( resale certificate ) and go in with them on moulding . You dont have to be a framer to buy moulding from the big houses - ya just have to have a tax number . Course it doesnt hurt to stretch the truth a bit and say - " Yeah, Im a framer " You dont have to tell em you only frame for yourself !

I get mine from Foster Brothers in small lots ...100 - 500 ft. A big moulding house will have the cutters set up for a number of popular styles so they can do these small runs -- its different if ya want a custom shape cause then they have to grind up a new profile on a cutter head .

Colin

main ed · #7 02-16-2005, 08:55 PM

a web site called framing for your self has just what you are looking for.

bobdavies · #8 02-20-2005, 05:08 PM

The web site referred to by main ed is www.framing4yourself.com. (I've no experience of buying with them - just seen their site, which looks helpful).

I'm surprised at the problem of picking up odd lengths of mouldings in the States. Here in the UK, there are usually at least a couple of framing suppliers in large towns who sell in small quantities - even single lengths to people doing DIY framing.

I buy all of my framing like this and have done for years. A number of art supply stores also happily supply their full range of moldings as well as framing equipment - alongside the custom framing they do for customers.

I think it's worthwhile asking your local art supply store if they sell moldings and will supply you. If they won't or can't, they might point you in the right direction...

By the way, if you're thinking of buying molding online, watch out for the shipping costs. Carriers will hit the supplier (ultimately you) with a big premium for lengths longer than about 5 feet as this involves 'extra handling'. So work out if you can make your frame(s) from several shorter lengths at a big saving.

However, if you can root out a supplier you can get to yourself, this should be cheaper again. It also means you can inspect the mouldings for damage (this is quite common, especially at the ends) or warping of the whole length.

Look out also for different shades in the same moulding which will look awful if you mix them in one frame.

Hope this helps.

Bob

http//www.art-supplies-advisor.com

Mich451 · #9 03-29-2005, 04:19 PM

http://bg.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FU...PARTNUM=110-261

http://bg.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FU...PARTNUM=113-546

http://www.dickblick.com/zz174/21/p...am=0&ig_id=6993

http://www.dixieart.org/Logan_Framing_System.htm (Scroll to bottom)

Atrsy · #10 04-03-2005, 04:38 PM

Larson Juhls is one of the largest manufacturers of mouldings and you can see their ads in almost all decorating magazines. But I'm sure you must be a legitimate business to buy from them. But if you are, they sell by lenght or chopped (chopped meaning the four lengths you need to put it together).
Atrsy

midcoast · #11 06-14-2005, 10:27 AM

First, if you're a professional artist or budding pro, do yourself a favor and get a business license and tax id number. This will let you get TONS of stuff wholesale, including moulding. These are normally very inexpensive...check with your state via the web.

There ARE some custom frameshops that will sell lengths of moulding to artists. Unfinished is easier to find. Colorado Framesmith is one such place that sells to anyone, but shipping will probably break you - maybe there is a custom framer in your area that will do the same. Also, ABC Moulding in Aurora Colorado, and Colorado Moulding in Englewood Colorado sell frame moulding, but you need a tax id number. Check Picture Framing Magazine on the web for a list of resources.

If you're wanting a lot of frames, a local miller would probably create some custom profiles for you. I'd check around at your local woodworking store for local millers. Cost isn't usually too bad if you take this route.

Nancy

Brad121 · #12 06-18-2005, 10:15 AM

How about buying framing moldings in the United Kingdom anyone?
And for that matter about getting the glass for frames too?

Thanks,

Brad

mick11 · #13 06-19-2005, 05:38 PM

Hi Brad

Not a problem you can get mouldings and all DIY framing goods here .
http://www.diyframing.com/catalog/
Fast delivery at reasonable cost. You can buy it by the metre or multiples thereof. The special offers and "lucky dip" are very good value for money.

For your glass find a local glass works and get them to cut it to size.You want a 2mil gap all round when you fit it in the frame, so allow for this. Ask for picture glass, most glass works stock it in normal or non-reflective. Modern non-reflective is very good with none of the distortion problems of a few years ago. In most lights it looks as if the frame is unglazed.

Frankidadio · #14 06-30-2005, 12:42 AM

The artist in me understands and sympathises with the cost of framing. The framer in me cringes at how badly most artists frame their own work. I am a painter and have also been a framer for nearly twenty three years. I often say if I were not a framer, I would be a sculptor. I own my own shop and frame for galleries, museums and many artists, mostly those that sell well and can afford me. A painting that doesn't need glass is fairly easy to frame, although I have seen some things come through my shop that are damaged beyond repair by shoddy framing. A work on paper is an entirely different matter. Most times it will look good enough on the outside, but what is going on inside will destroy the artwork before too long, or make it nearly impossible for the purchaser to frame correctly after they buy your artwork... I have seen it all. If you are going to frame your own work, PLEASE learn how, so when I get it in my shop to reframe it isn't a mess. Using acid free materials is NOT ENOUGH. Knowing how is just as important.

I have no problem selling moulding in length and do so often. Like most things in life there are many quality levels and two mouldings that look similar can vary in price considerably. There is a polystyrene moulding that I can buy for .75 cents a foot that looks close to a 23k gold leafed moulding that will cost me $18 a foot wholesale. I buy both because some people do not want the plastic imitation.

You think framing is too expensive? here are some tips to make your artwork framer friendly:

1. Make it square. I don't mean the same dimension all around, I DO mean make sure your corners are true right angles, especially a stretched canvas. Out of square = more time = more $.
2. Don't wait until the last minute. I've had countless people come in or phone me to ask if I can frame their twenty pieces for a show going up in few days, and oh yeah, they don't have a lot of money to spend. I have a sign in my shop that reads "GOOD, FAST, CHEAP... pick two."
3. Be reasonable, don't pick the most expensive moulding off the wall. Ask your framer if he/she has any specials available or if any supplier has any discontinued overstock. Most of us have a soft spot for artists framing their own work. We'ld like every customer to be the collector who wants the gold leaf, but we understand business and the bottom line.
4. Ask for a discount. I give discounts for many reasons. Volume helps, but so does frequency.

There are wholesalers who will sell to anyone with a resale number, but I do not do business with them. I have invested a lot of time, energy and money into my business, and any supplier that will cut me out of the picture does not get my business. I had a customer who bought one 3" gold leaf frame every year for four years. I gave her a good discount. On the fifth year she came in with the cut moulding and asked me to join it for her. I asked her where she bought the chop, and she said the same supplier as me! I said I would join it for the same cost as if she bought it from me, then I went to my sample wall and took down all their samples and called my sales rep and told him to take a hike.

Unless you want to spend the money to tool-up and then educate yourself you will produce shoddy work that will reflect badly on your art. A badly framed piece will always look like crap. That doesn't mean you should put a 3" Gold Leaf moulding on your work. A simple unobtrusive and inexpensive moulding is going to look better to a buyer, than a big bad frame that might not be their taste, and that they are going to have to buy if they want your art.

How do you want to spend your time? Painting or framing? I do both because I like both and because I am equipt and educated to do both. I feed my family with the framing, but honestly, I would rather be painting. Someday I will sell my shop and then I will bring my paintings in to be framed.

www.frankgregory.com

Alina B · #15 04-30-2008, 01:33 AM

For those who want to have their artwork framed and don't know either where to get the moulding from or how to do it, you can go to a local framing store and ask for a discount or wait for their discount specials. Unfortunately, even with 50% off like that which Michaels offers every now and then, the cost is still an arm and a leg.

You could purchase length moulding and do the cutting, routing and framing yourself, but the problem with this method is that you have to invest in quantity upfront and then the tools needed to do the framing yourself. Not to mention the time you have to spend in making each frame. Also, you have to consider the material waste generated as a natural part of the process. Oh yeah, be sure you have the storage space for the length moulding. And unless you are planning to have each frame you make from the same moulding, you need to invest in multiple moulding styles. Framing for yourself sounds attractive, but when you add in the materials, tools, time, storage, and waste, it becomes not so attractive.

Another option is to find a near wholesale cost company to just chop the custom frame (actual wholesale companies do not sell individual frames or to non-businesses). There are several online sites that do this at very low cost, a couple of which are mentioned above. The one I ordered from is Custom Frame Solutions (www.customframesolutions.com). I just chose the moulding that I liked and entered the exact custom dimensions of my artwork. They made my custom frame and shipped it out the next day. The custom frame I ordered was 26"x18" and it cost me about $32. The price really depends on the size of your frame and the width of the moulding you choose. In addition to their price, the reason I like them most is because their mouldings are solid wood and they ship free.

Another alternative is to purchase ready made frames at clearance cost, but your selection is pretty limited and really only have hope if your artwork is a standard size (i.e. 16x20, 20x24, etc...)

Alina

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