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Benefits of Custom Framing vs. Ready-Made Frames

frank Sumen • August 29, 2024

Framing your cherished photos, prints, or keepsakes is a great way to showcase and protect them. But have you ever wondered which framing option is best for you? When it comes to finding the perfect frame, you generally have two choices: ready-made frames or custom framing. To make the best decision, explore each option’s unique qualities, benefits, and potential drawbacks so you can select the ideal frame to display your treasured items beautifully.

Key Benefits of Custom Framing

A custom frame is made to your specifications, allowing you to collaborate with a professional framer on every detail. Want to match the frame perfectly to your home décor or the item’s style? Custom framing lets you do just that. You’ll choose the materials, colors, textures, matting, finishes, and glass types that best suit your piece.

Many frame shops offer a virtual preview of your selections, allowing you to see exactly how your frame will look without needing physical prototypes. This lets you fine-tune your choices until you find the perfect combination. Once you’re satisfied with the design, the shop will start creating your custom frame.

Choosing a custom frame offers several benefits, including:

Perfect fit. Custom framing services allow you to create frames in any size and with any combination of materials. It’s the ideal choice for ensuring your photo, artwork, or object is framed to fit just right.
High-quality materials. A custom framing service gives you access to a frame shop’s complete catalog of professional-grade mouldings and frame materials. You can request any materials you need, from eco-friendly reclaimed wood and metal to more specialized options like ornate gilded frames or sleek acrylic finishes.
Choices and convenience. Custom framing gives you the same control over materials as a DIY solution but the convenience of letting a frame professional handle assembly.
Flexibility. Frame shops use virtual prototyping to give you flexibility over your frame’s design. You can refine and iterate on your combination of frame materials until you find the right one.
Aesthetic enhancement. You can easily align your frame’s style and colors with your home décor or the item you’re framing, creating a cohesive look that enhances both your space and the piece on display.

Benefits of Ready-Made Frames

A ready-made frame is pre-manufactured and comes fully assembled, offering a convenient option for framing. These frames are designed in standardized sizes to fit common photos, posters, or prints, such as 8x10, 11x14, or 16x20, allowing you to quickly frame your images or artwork without needing custom measurements. Ready-made frames are widely available, budget-friendly, and come in various materials, depending on the model.

However, because ready-made frames are mass-produced, you’re limited to the sizes and materials available from the manufacturer. They may not accommodate non-standard items, like shadow boxes, textiles, 3D objects, or canvas paintings with thick stretcher bars.

Low cost. Looking for a budget-friendly framing solution? The main benefit of opting for a ready-made frame over a custom option is cost savings. If you only need a basic frame for standard-sized items, this could be the perfect choice for you.
Immediate availability. Choosing a ready-made frame means there's no waiting for custom fabrication—it’s ready to use straight out of the box.
Wide accessibility. Ready-made frames are available at home décor stores, big-box retailers, art supply stores, thrift shops, and numerous online outlets.

Custom Framing vs. Ready-Made Frames

Need help deciding between a ready-made frame or custom framing for your items? The right choice depends on several factors, including the type of items you’re framing, style preferences, budget, and how you plan to use the frame. To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each option.

Factor	Custom Frames	Ready-Made
Costs	More expensive. A custom frame service is typically more expensive, even for simpler picture or poster frames. Custom frames use higher-quality materials and are assembled and customized by a framing expert.	Lower priced. Ready-made frames are mass-produced in factory environments using standardized materials and sizing. The savings of mass production are passed on to customers, who can purchase basic frames at reasonable prices.
Time investment	Longer. Ordering a custom frame is a detailed process that you’ll find only in specialized frame shops, involving collaboration between you and the framing experts. Selecting the materials and colors for your frame requires thoughtful consideration. Once you’ve made your choices, the framing specialists will need time to bring your vision to life. Many professional framers offer virtual models or digital previews to streamline this process and reduce costs.	Shorter. These frames are readily available at various outlets, with no waiting times or design process involved. Simply choose the model you want, and it’s ready to use right out of the box.
Material Quality	Highest quality available. Custom frames enable you to choose from a large selection of different materials. You can pick any combination of mouldings, matting, glass, and parts. The materials offered are superior quality, featuring premium-grade woods, high-quality glazing, and preservation-grade matting. You can also opt for glass with added protective features, such as UV resistance or anti-reflective coatings.	Lower quality. Most ready-made frames are crafted from economical materials designed for mass production. While they are typically durable, they often feature standard wood, plastic, or metal moldings with basic glass and matting. These options may not be ideal if you require archival-quality framing for rare or valuable items.
Fit, Finish, and Customization	Fully customizable. Ordering a custom frame lets you choose any size you need, making it the best option for non-standard items. This is especially useful for photos and posters in unique formats or non-flat items like jewelry or sports jerseys.	Standard options only. Ready-made frames come in a limited range of standardized sizes. They can only fit the item they were designed for, such as photos, diplomas, certificates, or posters.
Design and Style	Unlimited options. Custom frame shops provide an extensive selection of molding colors, frames, and styles. This allows you to perfectly tailor your custom frame to complement any interior décor and align with the style of the item being framed.	Limited options. With ready-made frames, your options are limited to the styles and colors the manufacturers choose. Typically, these include basic finishes like black, white, or natural wood, simple metal frames, and classic designs like plain or slightly beveled edges.

Frame It Right With Frame Pros

Still unsure which option is right for you? Whether you need a quick, cost-effective solution or a custom frame that perfectly complements your prized possessions, we can help. If you’re leaning toward custom framing, let the professionals at FramePros take care of it. Our team is ready to craft the perfect, stylish frames for your items. Why not give us a call to discuss your next framing project?

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