Our Frame Shop believes that Custom Picture Framing is an art form at Gold Leaf Gallery. Our skilled designers can help you create a unique design for your favorite artwork. We offer museum quality materials and an impressive selection of frames so you can find the perfect style.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and helpful answers for those that are searching for the right frame shop or custom framing for their needs.
Artwork is framed not only to preserve the canvas but also to enhance it, typically artwork isn’t usually complete until it has been framed. Let’s take Charles Willson Peale’s Trompe-l’oeil Stairway. This artwork consists of two young men ascending a staircase. What makes the artwork amazing is the way it is framed – like an actual doorway with an actual step at the bottom.
The resulting effect is the transformation of the artwork into an illusion in which one believes they can pass through the artwork into another world. Imagine taking a photo with this artwork, you would put one foot on the step and proceed as if you are climbing up as well.
Classical artwork was framed to create the transition from the physical location into the world of the painting. It completes and protects the artwork while adding value. With years of experience, you can count on us to expertly frame your picture exactly the way you want it.
We try to make the experience as easy and pleasant as possible. Usually, we encourage clients to give as much input as possible – what you expect from the piece, what you prefer in style, etc ( for example where you expect to hang it – does it need to be larger than it is – what kind of protection will it need ). Our role is to guide and teach what is necessary to protect and preserve your artwork. We will provide you with options that suit your personal aesthetic and provide you with choices that also fit your budget.
Though our quality is higher than other frame shops, the short answer is NO.
To elaborate: Our prices are standardized and are at the national average. We are proud to say that as a result of our purchasing power, we can actually offer very competitive pricing. The products we sell are considered the best in the market. For example, we do NOT sell plastic or foam base frames that visually are the same but are obviously a lower quality product.
Additionally, we purchase from manufacturers who are environmentally responsible. That said, frame shops who consider themselves our competitors will say they are “cheaper” when in fact they are offering less for less. Our frame shop services are offered at a very competitive price and our work is guaranteed. We know that is unique.
Conservation Framing involves three things – not altering the artwork, it must be reversible and must preserve and protect the artwork from damaging elements.
These are meant to preserve your artwork long term. They are truly the best investment for your artwork or family heirloom.
We do realize that our clients may shop at competitors and be looking for a cost-effective solution. Our experience in these matters has been twofold. Either the end result is not the exact same product and materials that we offer, or the quality of work is not up to our high standards.
We welcome competition but stand by the high standards that our frame shop has set for ourselves. We will also not reduce our prices just to undercut our competition. We respect our clients and our vendors as well as the pricing structures we have in place. They are fair and our work will follow suit.
YES! We can customize just about any frame we have in store to any custom size to fit your needs.
Our standard turnaround may be between 2-3 weeks. We have a great system in place which allows us to track all of our projects, which, by the way, are all completed in house.
Some of our moldings are hand made and do require gold leaf or welding (steel or other metals) which may delay times. We have an amazing team of partners who work with us, and because of this extended work, these types of jobs may require between 4-6 weeks to final completion.
Due to the nature of our work, most being fully custom framing, we do require full payment at the point of sale.
We partner with a variety of companies that can handle the delivery and even installation if needed.
Over the years, we have surrounded ourselves with some of the best paper, fabric, and art (canvas or panel) conservators. We will be happy to assess your art in our frame shop and we can facilitate restoration services.
Paper isn’t always flat. In many cases, for example with watercolors, the paper has received excessive moisture and has most likely buckled. Photography, vintage or modern, also has moisture either from having been put into a bath (old style of photo developing) or inkjet surface spray (new style.)
In the above-mentioned cases, the ambient temperature will reactivate that moisture much like heat and moisture reactivate the curl in hair that has been straightened.
Once art is framed, it can react to ambient temperature, especially in excessive heat or cold, and cause the art to actually move. This is typical and should not be a concern.
In most cases, we are happy to help. Our system allows us to put in basic dimensions and products. We consider this a starting point and we will always encourage you to come in or if it’s difficult for you to get in, to have your art sent to us for evaluation. Obviously, we need to see the artwork and measure it to be certain of specific details, so a quote is simply an estimate that may have to be revised if new information is obtained.
In many cases, yes. Sadly, in some cases, a frame can’t be repaired. We need to see the frame and actually manipulate it to understand its integrity to make that decision. Photos help but are not enough to make a sound decision. We kindly ask that you come to our frame shop for us to make that final decision. However, changing out glass or matting is usually relatively easy – as long as the frame is sound – meaning the corners are strong enough to withstand being taken apart and being rebuilt.