Frames!!

[slappy sam]

I've decided I'm going to frame a 10x30" panorama I've done. So I went online to www.americanframes.com (http://www.americanframes.com) - the cheapest/largest selection I've found - and got a simple metal frame one with two mats, white and black (black inside, white outside. Add the backing and shipping charges and I'm looking at a total of $83 - they nailed me with a $25 oversized shipping charge, on top of the normal shipping :(

So I figured I'd add another frame - I added a fairly nice looking 16x20 "cherry" wood frame matted to 11x14. Total is now $134 - for two frames.

Is it worth it? Have any of you bought from this vendor? Is this a worthy investment?

Just a lot of money for a college kid, but I am tempted to do it because my panorama will look so sweet in that frame.

[PhotosGuy]

Frames help a lot, but that seems way too much to me. Did you check out local art stores for their framing prices?

[dekalbSTEEL]

try Michaels

http://direct.where2getit.com/cwc/apps/w2gi.php?sid=478a2d4beb1ba&ADDRESS=&POSTALCODE=02360&COUNTRY=US&STATE=MA&CITY=Plymouth&PRODUCT=&PRODUCTFCT=&LAT=&LON=&UNITS=MILES&RADIUS=25%7C100&USECENTERPOINT=&W2GI_LASTEXTENT=-71.1460757522%7C41.5562087411%7C-70.1716842478%7C42.3517112589&SORTBY_Dealers=DISTANCE&START_Dealers=0&COUNT_Dealers=8&REVERSE_Dealers=FALSE&W2GI_QUICK_ZOOM=&W2GI_QFIELD=DEALERID&W2GI_QVALUE=5728&DISTANCE=2.64&W2GI_DNAME=&W2GI_DADDR=&W2GI_DCITY=&W2GI_DSTATE=&W2GI_DPOSTALCODE=&W2GI_DID=&W2GI_DINDEX=&NAV_CMD=&NAV_ALLOW_RECTANGLE=&client=michaels&template=moreinfo

they do custom framing on site

[PhotosGuy]

That link has expired. Michaels... they do custom framing on site I knew that their frames were reasonable, but didn't know they did custom framing too! Thanks.

[AdamJT]

Frames are expensive!!! That does not seem too out of line. And every time you want something big, the shipping will kill you.

We do a lot of business with pictureframes.com and they do a great job. We have even had them print some of our photos and then frame them. They turn out excellent!!! I am looking at a canvas wrap they they did for us recently and the print quality is very good. I believe that they use epson pro equipment, for what it's worth.

[slappy sam]

Oops I meant to link to pictureframes, thats actually where I'm getting them from (not american frames... I don't know if they are related or not).

Yeah it doesn't seem that bad... just a lot of money but it is a big (18x38") double matted frame, with oversize shipping costs.

Question about their wood frames, if you know - are they that fake kind of wood or are they really nice wood? I want nice frames and am willing to pay for them, but I don't wanna waste money on cheapo frames where the wood is just... crappy. I dunno if you know what I mean, but I bought a wood frame from michael's and it just felt plasticy. It was one of the premade ones though, not the ones they make on site.

[rowdyred94]

Look for framed mirrors at any discount store. If you don't need a specific size, they can be had big and cheap, and buying glass to replace the mirror doesn't cost much. You can also buy it at a home improvement store and cut it yourself. I've considered using the full-body mirror framess for my panos, but haven't gotten around to getting one printed yet.

[_aravena]

That's why i buy frames locally. So many stores carry different frames and then Micheal's and some other store does custom framing.

[PhotosGuy]

I bought this 19X23" frame & matt at Micheal's on sale for about $35 if I remember right.
.

[slappy sam]

WOW I just want to say I am very impressed with the customer service thus far on pictureframes.com. Firstly, I was going to request some samples from them - offering to pay. Upon looking on their site I see that they give free samples. Of course I got carried away and ended up with 14 frame samples and 2 mat samples in my cart. Some of the frame samples were from some pretty pricey frames (walnut/cherry) so I didn't know whether or not I could order this many. Upon confirmation I noticed that shipping was also free! I called to request a catalog be sent with the shipment and inquire as to whether or not having 16 samples was ok - they said that you are allowed 19 samples/day.... Wow? They are gonna send you 19 samples of frames free, with free shipping, per day? Damn, thats customer service.

Its nice to know I can just add any frame samples if I'm deciding between a few and have them sent free of charge. I'm willing to pay a bit of a premium for that.

So to end my story, I'll let you guys know once I recieve the samples how they look (and maybe post pics). I'll probably get an 18x38 metal frame, as well as a smaller 16x20 wood frame.