The Ultimate Guide to Custom vs. Ready-Made Frames: Which Do You Need?
Art needs to be shared, shown off, hung on your wall for everyone to see. Achievements should be displayed proudly to show people- you did this! Of course, to hang these on your wall you need a frame, you don’t want to just stick art to the wall with tape.
When it comes to hanging significant things on your wall, you can choose ready-made frames from many places. They are practical and functional and will do the task required. Or you can customise the frame to suit the art piece or the certificate of achievement.
Which one should you choose? We’ll help you make that choice by showing you the pros and cons of both custom framing and ready-made frames right off the shelf.
What are Custom Frames?
These are a personalised way to display art or certificates to the world. You have the chance to choose every aspect of the framing process from the materials used to create the frame, the colour of the frame, thickness and more.
Through custom framing you can accurately frame your art if it is of an unusual shape or size. You can best present your artwork with a custom frame. In many cases the frame compliments and can become a part of the artwork itself.
Why Choose Custom Frames?
Sometimes you have an iconic piece of art, something that speaks to you, and you want to best serve the art by creating a frame that matches it. You get to frame your art how you want to. There is no forced choice of what is available. It is personalised and unique to your taste.
With custom framing you get a premium quality product for your highly prized piece of art. Often, the higher quality materials used in the production of your custom frame offers better protection and preservation of your art. You can have UV protection in the glass. Glass is also easier to keep clean and protected. Wayward fingers touching your art can slowly deteriorate it over time through acids and sweat from the skin.
No matter the size of your artwork, from three metre square behemoths to small masterpieces, just a few inches per side, you can get a frame to fit perfectly. It can be as slim and modern as you like, or thicker and more grandiose, the choice is yours.
A custom frame can also increase the value of a piece of art, turn it into an investment for the future as well as something to admire today. With as much thought and care given to the framing as was given to the creation of the art, it becomes more valuable over time.
Drawbacks with a Custom Frame
Custom frames do come with a higher price tag, but you would expect this from something that is bespoke and of a higher quality than something bought off the shelf.
It can also take longer to have your work framed and hung in your house, as each frame must be produced individually to each order.
Really, there are no small drawbacks to a custom frame. It’s something you choose, and you design, so it will be perfect for you.
What are Ready-made Frames?
Ready-made frames are those you can grab off the shelf and have something on your wall in moments. They come in standard sizes, so if you have a regular A4 sized certificate, you can have it framed and on the wall easily.
Ready-made frames are perfect for standard size photos or certificates, and often on the back they have a stand so you can have the framed item on your desk or table.
There is a surprising amount of variety for ready-made frames, so options for display aren’t as limited as you may first believe.
Why Choose Ready-made Frames?
If you have a high number of prints which need framing and you want consistency in their appearance, ready-made frames are a good idea. You can get a high volume of similar frames so there is a consistently good look with your art.
Or, if you’re sending the same print to many people, using the same frame over and again saves both time and money. It can be more efficient to frame up your work to send off.
They’re also great for quick gifts. It’s easy to go into some stores, print off a photo, grab a frame off the shelf and post it to a friend or loved one all within half an hour. The convenience is incredible.
They’re also a good choice if you’re more interested in the piece of art itself and not too concerned on how it is framed. A simple black metal frame may be all that you need, since it's the bright colours of the photo print that attract the eye. You don’t want the frame to distract from the art.
Ready-made frames are cheaper to buy than a custom frame, naturally. They are not unique, and are mass-produced, which is the nature of something ready-made.
The Drawbacks of Choosing Ready-made Frames
If your art is of an unusual size or shape, then ready-made frames won't work for you. They only come in standard sizes and shapes. Nothing extra large or triangular, sadly.
The materials used for creating ready-made frames are also basic. This makes sense since they are mass produced to save on money. You would be looking at mainly metals or plastics.
This mass production can also diminish the protection of your art. No UV resistant glass, sometimes plastic instead of glass to cover the art.
How do you decide? Custom or Ready-made Frame?
If you’re sitting on the fence as to which style of frame best suits your art, you can ask yourself some questions.
What size is your art? If the art you have, or what you want to frame is not your standard sized item, then a custom frame is your best bet. Trying to fit your art into a standard sized frame may damage it, or it might display wrong.
If the art you want to display is a standard size, and can fit into a ready-made frame, then try and find one that you like. As we’ve said, you want to focus on the art, and not distract the eye onto the framing.
Value of the work. Does your art have significant sentimental value, or a high dollar value? Then we’d recommend custom framing to both protect your art better, and to respect the value it has with you. An old war photo of your grandpa deserves more than a low-priced black frame off the shelf.
Design. Custom frames can be designed to match your decor and style of your home with much more precision than a ready-made frame. To have your style aesthetic flowing through your home, look at the custom framing options we have.
Time factor. If you need something framed and on display right now, then ready-made is for you, as it is ready to go right now as soon as you buy it. Custom frames take a while to craft, naturally.
Hybrid options. You can customise a ready-made frame if you’d like. Look into backing mat or border options for your frame. A larger standard frame, with a cardboard backing can really lift the look of your art, at a fraction of the cost of a fully customised frame.
Consider your art when you are choosing which type of frame you want. You want to compliment the item being framed, celebrate it. It will take pride and place on your wall or your desk, so consider how that frame will work with both the art and its surroundings.
At Master Framing we want your art to be the most important part of this process. You have many options in your frame selection, and if you need any help, our expert team is ready to lend an artistic hand. You will be pleasantly surprised at how little you need to spend to have a bespoke frame for your wonderful piece of art.
