Frame Sources and Notes
Framing – General Info
About Ordering Frames from Wholesalers
- If you want to order from a wholesale supplier like Decor, Brian Roach tells me you have to have a business ID. He said if you add a 1 prefix to your SSN, that works, that’s what he has done.
- You need a resale certificate.
General Frame Sources
Local Sources
- I’ve heard very positive things from multiple people about Hagop Framer on Belmont St. down near Mt. Auburn St. I’ve heard his prices are very reasonable and he has a good selection and his tastes are very good.
- I’ve used Robert Warshawer in Lexington whose contact info is in ACT! 11 Tower Rd, Lex, 781-862-3834. Runs his operation out of his basement. V reasonable prices, nice.
- A-Street Frames. Very nice frames and people, but VERY expensive, even with the discount they give artists. Note: They tend to finish the backs very nicely, so if your intention is to swap frames around among different paintings, you may want to ask them to keep the back more open.
- BostonArtFramers.com in Allston.
- Frame Guild of Rhode Island, custom frame studio, high end, hand-built gold and metal leaf frames, see my catalog, reco’d by Hillary Baldwin. 401-722-3860. May be in Central Falls, but they may have moved.
Other Sources
Baker Frame Studio – (Oklahoma) 866-716-4405. I like their frame styles.
www.pleinairframes.com (CA)
Frame Wealth – Otego NY 800-524-8582
www.metroframe.com – classic museum quality exhibition frames at whlprices. 800-826-3139
Aljon International – Wholesalers – 800-533-4166
Decor Moulding
www.decormoulding.com – Wholesaler
Brian Roach ordered most of his frames from them.
I couldn’t find their price list on their website.
- Among their Ready-Mades, they have practically NO models that come in 9×12. The only one I found that I like is SF6327 that is a 1″ gold leaf with a reverse profile that comes in sizes 8/9/11/12/14/16.
- Some frames of theirs that I like are:
- Their FR34XX is the style I’ve bought at Playtime often that is on Turkheim & the Rock Meadow paintings. . Their 12×16 is $15.00.
- I like their FR79XX which is a 3-3/4″ thick molding, gold. The smallest is 11×14 which is 23.00.
- Their FR105 is very nice: 3-1/2″ gold leaf with the decorations just near the corners & the wide flat panel. Like most of theirs, no 9×12 size. Max size is 30×40.
- Their only floater frames are 10117 and 10118 which is a 2-step profile. But they only come in black.
Frame Source Recommendations from Others
- MCJ: There are places where you can get good frames that don’t cost too much. (www.classicgalleryframing.com is one.) I also look for sales on ready-mades. As much as I like to support the local guy, it’s usually more expensive to go to a framer and have something custom-made.
- Sherri: A couple GREAT places to purchase frames:
www.AmericanFrame.com
www.PictureFrames.com
I [Sherri] have ordered from both place and been very pleased - Brian R. liked Décor.
- Tom N.’s mother told me, if I remember correctly, that they use a framer in RI called something like Moitkya. Very expensive, high end Gold Leaf. www.motykaframe.com. They give artists discounts. Exit 30 off Rte 95, right over the line. M-F 8-5.
- Scott C. highly respects the company in Idaho where he gets his Gold Leaf frames. I bought one in 2007, so I have the info/invoice and their physical catalogue. AU Boxes and Frames, Sugar City Idaho. George and Stephen Barnhill 208-656-0012 auframes@ida.net.
Floater Frames Sources and Notes
Terminology:
These frames are called
FLOATER frames, FLOAT frames, FLOATING frames,
— The FACE WIDTH is the width of the cross-section of the sides that show beside the painting (in the plane of the painting’s surface), typically <1/2″
— The FLOAT is the space around the painting, in the plane of the painting, typically 1/4″?
— The EXTEND is the offset of the painting that sits alittle lower than the face, typically 1/8″?
–the HEIGHT is the overall outside height (in Z plane)
–the RABBET is the height from the back of the frame to the face (in Z plane).
— the PLATFORM is the part in the back that the canvas is attached to, visible in the float space.
–A STEP: ensures uniform spacing of the art within the recess of the frame.
—Long Base: the platform is wider
—Short Base: the platform is thinner
So far these aren’t in any particular order
Suppliers
FAF in No. Carolina is where I bought them before. They’re very nice but expensive.
FAF – Fine Art Framing
800-423-8547 // Jesse’s cell 919-522-5212 (since he doesn’t usually get in til I’ve left for work
Found them on the internet when I searched on floater frames
That’s what they specialize in. Family business in NC. Jesse seems to be main participant.
See the PDF catalog for the floater frames in my framing directory
I want the 2000 series in walnut, which they sell standard, or better yet cherry, which they can specially provide (#2 wood choice).
- They need you to provide the canvas depth.
- Raymar panels are 1/8″
- Pintura panels are 3/8 to 5/32″
- Souretek panels are 1/4″
- I measure std Frederix canvas profiles to be 11/16″ ( 5/8″), 1.8 cm thick though they’re nominally quoted to be 3/4″
- Since I want my frames to be universally switchable, ask if there’d be any harm in ordering 5/8″ thick ones even if the frames will probably end up being used for panels.
- Since the panels are so thin and it’s the support itself that they’d be putting the screw into, is there another way to fix the panel into the frame?
- Ask the cost of cherry (#2) vs walnut (#3). Order one of both in 9×12.
5/14/2010 Jesse: What you’ll want to do is to order an extra piece of “dimensional stock” that will be a plain piece of wood that you’ll affix to the back your panel. You can specify the depth. Since my goal is to be able to interchange panels and std canvases, make the depth equal to the difference in depth between the two. The dimension stock provides three functions so is an all-around win:
- It provides that interchangeability I wanted between different thickness supports
- It keeps panels from warping if they’d tend to otherwise
- It gives you something to screw into to secure the panel to the frame
- It adds a much nicer look having the thicker frame with the piece coming forth more
Cherry vs Walnut: The price isn’t THAT different, perhaps $1 per linear foot. Cherry doesn’t any longer cost more than walnut and can sometimes now be cheaper but only since he doesn’t buy much of it he doesn’t get the volume pricing. It will take longer though because he has to special source it.
As far as ordering goes, there’s no on-line ordering, so just go to the contact us page and define what you want. You can work out the price yourself or ask him to.
So here’s what I ordered on 5/15:
I’d like to order two (2) Floater Frames style 2000, one in walnut and one in cherry, each with basic finish, joined, both to accommodate 12×9″ paintings. I’d like their depth to accommodate a standard profile canvas which I measure to be 11/16″ but manufacturers advertised to be nominally 3/4″. Since I’d like to be able to use these frames to alternatively display paintings done on panels that range from 1/8″ to 5/32″ depth depending on brand, so I’d also like dimensional stock to affix to the back of the panels to bring them to the same depth as the standard canvases.
There’s no hurry on this order; please send a quote, and it will be a pleasure to do business with you.
Julliette
Quote was approx $80 + shipping for 9×12’s, extra $5 for the spacer.
NOTE: If I order again and I add dimensional stock to make them adaptable to both standard canvases and panels, be sure to have him install the dimensional stock, cuz it was a pain to drill the holes and do that installation myself.
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Boston on Canvas has two; in black & in Espresso (color), latter is GD6. $57 for a 12×16.
Washington.
http://www.bostononcanvas.com/cart/index.php?action=addframes&frametype_id=40&width=12&widthf=0&height=16&heightf=0&qty=1&submit=Add+to+Cart
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Blick sells a line called Illusions(?), and Jerry’s Artarama sells the same line.
Gold, gold crackle and black
They also have thicker ones, 1-3/8″
Limited sizes at Blick (e.g., no 12×16), I think, but Jerry’s may have a wider selection.
[note from Christine – I LOVE the blick floater frames for canvases – very cheap and I paint standard canvases, just pop them in and screw them on. it looks great! my favorite is plain gold. do a search on dick blick site for “floater”]
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Jerry’s Illusions Floater Frames
EW finishes! Solid Black, Natural, and White!
Also available in Black with Gold Trim, Black with Silver Trim, and Walnut with Gold Trim finishes
For 3/4″ and 1 1/2″ canvases
Series 075: 3/8″ face, 3/4″ rabbet, 1 1/4″ overall depth
Series 150: 3/8″ face, 1 1/2″ rabbet, 2″ overall depth
$23.62 on sale/27.79 normally for an 18×24 black
$17.83 for 12×16.
NOTE: Min qty 4 assorted frames is required.
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ASWExpress
Illusions floaters
Series 075 are walnut with gold face
12×16 is $21, on sale now for $18
But must by Min 4 assorted frames
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American Frame in OH
888-628-3833
M_F 8:30-5:30
Their Floater is 79376 Antique Gold 1/2″
12×16 is $51
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Framing4Yourself
12×16 is $46 and it’s mahogany
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Pictureframes.com
Graphik Dimensions
V good prices on floaters & CUSTOM SIZES no increment in price!
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FrenchCanvas.com
Their frame Rome is v nice but expensive
12×16 is $151
Nante is 3/8″ gold $56 for a 12×16+ 13 shipping.
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A Street Frame here in Cambridge
They have a bunch of different floaters in a lot of different woods & finishes
Their own are VERY expensive and thick–$2+ thick, $278 for a 18×24 even with my 40% artist discount.
They also sell pre-made ones that are half the price but they only come in white, black and a very blond wood.
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Raphaels
http://raphaelstoday.com/floaters.aspx
(800) 881-5191
Hardwoods
Depth 1-1/8″ or custom up to 2″ tall.
Basswood, Beech, Lt. Mahogany, Maple, Peruvian Walnut, and a colorful koa-like species known as Canarywood.
We also offer a couple of small “cap-type” Hardwood Frames and coordinating Inlays in these same beautiful hardwood species.
Six inch chevron corners of these mouldings cost $2.00 each or you can order a set of 6″ X 1″ pieces of all six species gathered together on a chain for just $2.50.
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Frame Destination
http://www.framedestination.com/Canvas_Floater_Frame_Moulding.html
All thick heights, min 2-1/8″, face widths 5/8-1″ (but the 1″ is slanted back).
Simple L profiles.
Black, bronze gold, gold, silver & espresso,
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http://www.designsinkart.com/frames.htm#Float%20Frames CA
Made for works on panels (thinner works).
PFF-708100 – 1-3/4″ long base soft black lacquer with 1/4″ face for platform or solid mount
PFF-708200 – 1″ short base black lacquer with red hairline edges on 1/4″ face
PFF-708300 – 1-3/4″ long base black lacquer with 1/2″ gold leaf face for float platform or solid mount
PFF-708400 – 1-7/8″ long base natural maple hardwood with 1/4″ face for thick panel, pour, or 1-1/2″ cradle
Custom frame sizes and additional birch platforms are also available.
reusable custom ordered frames for use with encaustic, oil, or acrylic paintings on hardboard. The frame profiles have been chosen specifically for use with art panels–not stretched canvases–and they will easily accommodate 1/4″ to 1/2″ base panels and up to 3/4″ commercial hardboard cradles.
661-821-2188 or email us at info@designsinkart.com
Signature Canvas LLC
www.signaturecanvas.com – – I bought some floater frames from them in 2012 along with their specially keyed canvases. Cherry with a rounded profile.