Custom wood and metal
framing, cut to fit
Mouldings mitred, joined and finished on site — sized to the work rather than the work trimmed to the frame.
Custom wood and metal framing, cut to fit
A custom frame starts with the piece itself. We measure the work, not a standard size, then cut the moulding to suit it. The mitres are joined under pressure so the corners close and stay closed.
Between the moulding and the work sits the mat, and that is usually what decides how the finished piece reads. A wider mat gives the work room to breathe; a warmer board can settle a print that looks cold against bright white. We hold samples against the actual piece, because judging a mat from a swatch book is guesswork.
Most straightforward jobs are finished within the hour. Larger or more involved commissions get a firm collection date.
Materials and choices
Hardwood mouldings
Ash, oak, walnut and painted profiles, from slim gallery sections to deep traditional mouldings.
Metal profiles
Brushed and anodised aluminium in narrow sections — the usual choice for photographs and posters.
Single and double mats
Acid-free cotton rag board, bevel-cut, in one or more layers to add depth around the work.
UV-filtering glass
Blocks the wavelengths that fade pigment and paper. Worth it on anything hanging in daylight.
Non-glare and museum glass
Reduces reflection for pieces on a wall facing a window or a bright light source.
Acrylic glazing
Lighter and shatter-resistant, sensible for oversized frames or anything being shipped.
How this one goes
Measure
The work is measured exactly, including any border you want to keep visible.
Select
Mouldings and mat board held against the piece itself, under the light it will hang in.
Cut and join
Moulding mitred and joined, mat bevel-cut, glazing cut to size on site.
Fit and finish
Work hinged or mounted, sealed, hanging hardware fitted, and checked square.
What customers say
About custom framing
Price depends on size, moulding, mat and glazing, so there is no fixed menu. A small photograph in a simple metal frame is inexpensive; a large oil painting in a deep hardwood moulding with museum glass is not. Bring the piece in or send dimensions and a photograph and you will get a real figure.
Most straightforward jobs, yes — the saw, the mat cutter and the glass are all here. Larger pieces, unusual mounting or a moulding we need to order will take longer, and we will tell you that upfront rather than after.
Everything from a small photograph up to large canvases and posters. For very large pieces we usually recommend acrylic glazing instead of glass to keep the weight sensible.
If the work has monetary or sentimental value, yes. Acid-free mats and backing stop the board itself from staining and embrittling the paper over time. For a poster you will replace in a few years, standard materials are fine.
Often. Bring the existing frame or a clear photograph with a measurement and we will find the closest moulding we stock, or something deliberately complementary if an exact match is not available.
Related services
Bring it in this morning.
Hang it tonight.
Open Monday to Friday on East 40th Street. No appointment needed.