Custom framing artwork and photos not only adds a personal touch to these precious items, it can also provide proper protection and preservation.
And the ability to custom frame online has revolutionized the way we decorate. It's just never been more convenient and accessible to access a wide range of styles, materials and sizes, all from the comfort of home!
Below are some 0f the best reasons to frame online, as well as some thoughts on the future of custom framing.
Why Frame Online?
Online framing is great for two main use cases that traditionally involved one or several trips across town.
The first is printing and framing photos captured by our phones and digital cameras. The second is custom framing artwork and other physical items that call for frames in specific sizes.
Convenience of ordering and delivery
In today's fast-paced world, convenience is key. That's why ordering frames online has become increasingly popular. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide selection of frames and find the perfect one for you. No more driving to multiple stores or waiting in long lines.
Plus, ordering online allows you to easily compare prices and styles. With the option to have framed art and photos delivered straight to your door, it's never been easier to outfit your home or workspace with great looking, museum-quality frames.
A wide range of customization options
When it comes to creating a unique and personalized experience, having a wide range of customization options is key.
Your artwork may be a non-standard size, or you may need your digital image printed in exact dimensions to fit a specific spot on the wall. Standard, ready-made frames will never do the trick in these situations, and you want to make sure that each frame is tailor made for your items.
And with a number of framing options at your fingertips, you can truly make each framing project unique and a fit for your aesthetic. From choosing the perfect frame color to customizing every aspect of your design with advanced options such as float mounting, 8-ply matting and UV-protective glaze, the sky is the limit as to what you can create.
Better pricing versus traditional framing and custom shops
In the digital age, the cost-effectiveness of online shopping extends to custom framing, offering a compelling alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar framing shops.
One of the primary reasons online custom framing is less expensive is the reduction in overhead costs. Online retailers don't have the same expenses that come with maintaining ands renting a physical storefront.
And by serving a larger geographical area than a typical local frame shop, online framers can order materials in bulk and offer competitive pricing without compromising on the quality of the frames or the customization options available.
What to Consider when Choosing to Frame Online
When it comes to finding the perfect frame for your artwork or photograph, we have some useful considerations to keep in mind if you are going the online route and choosing between one service or another.
Frame size and style options
Our "Golden Ratio" button will set a well balanced frame width and matting size based on the size of your art
The frame size and width play an important role in the overall aesthetic. From thinner profiles on smaller pieces to large, statement pieces, you want to strike the right balance between the frame and what it contains.
Additionally, the style of the frame can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your piece. Whether you prefer a classic, ornate frame or a modern and sleek design, there are numerous styles to suit every taste.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different widths and styles to find the perfect fit for your artwork - with online custom framing, it's easy to explore your options onscreen!
Quality of materials used
Not all frames are created equal. Investing in custom framing with quality materials is not just about enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your art or photos; it's about preservation, protection and presentation.
Look for high-quality materials, including conservation-grade mats, UV-protective acrylic, and all-wood frames, that play a crucial role in safeguarding your valued pieces against the damaging effects of light, moisture, and environmental pollutants. This is particularly important for valuable or sentimental pieces, where using high-quality framing materials is a worthwhile investment in preserving your history and memories.
Beyond preservation, the right framing materials and craftsmanship elevate the visual impact of your artwork, enhancing colors, textures and the overall presentation. A well-chosen frame complements the piece, making it a focal point in any room and reflecting your personal style or the ambiance of the space.
Turnaround times and the handling of your artwork
The timeline for receiving your custom-framed piece can vary significantly depending on the framing option you choose.
For framed photos, it helps to have all of the printing and framing happen under the same roof. Our usual turnaround time is about 3 days to print and frame, and then transit time ranges from one to five days depending on the shipping address.
For framing artwork and other physical items you have on hand, you have two main choices.
1) You can send in your art, photographs, or memorabilia to be professionally framed and sent back ready to hang. This method, while ensuring expert handling and framing of your items, naturally requires more time. The process with us involves sending the item to our studio (we can help with shipping labels and even packaging). This end-to-end service can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the framing project and the shipping times involved. However, the wait can be worth it for the peace of mind and professional touch that comes with having your piece handled by our team of framing experts.
2) On the other hand, a faster alternative is our DIY framing option. Within a few days of your order, we'll send a custom-made frame based on the dimensions you provide, along with all the necessary tools and instructions for you to assemble everything at home. This option significantly reduces the turnaround time, eliminates the need to send the artwork back and forth, and reduces the risk of anything getting lost or damaged in transit. It's also extremely satisfying and even fun for many of our customers!
Both options have their advantages, with the choice depending on your priorities. You may value the convenience and speed of DIY framing, or the convenience of a service that takes care of everything.
Tips for Ordering Frames Online
We try to make each step in the framing experience as clear and easy as possible. If you ever run into any questions, our designers are a chat, email or call away.
Here are a few things to know upfront that may help you along if you are a first time framer.
Accurately measure your artwork
Measuring your artwork correctly not only guarantees that it will fit snugly within its new frame, but also ensures that the visual balance and integrity of the piece are maintained. It can prevent issues such as unsightly gaps between art and frame or the need to unnecessarily trim of your art.
Start with a reliable measuring tape or a ruler for smaller pieces. Ensure that your measuring tool is straight and stable to get an accurate reading, and check to see where the zero mark is (some measuring tapes have a bit of extra space between the mark and the start of the tape).
Measure the height and width of the art from paper edge to paper edge, measuring to the nearest eighth of an inch (round up if you are in between) and recording the exact dimensions so that you can reliably enter them into the website during this first step.
It's a good idea measure twice to confirm your dimensions!
Go with your gut (and eye) to pick the frame style and framing options for each piece
One of the most important aspects of displaying artwork is choosing the right frame style.
The frame not only serves as a protective barrier for the artwork, but it also adds to its overall aesthetic. When choosing a frame, it is important to consider the style and theme of the artwork, more so than the decor around where it will hang, which could change over time. For example, a sleek and modern frame would complement a contemporary piece, while a more ornate and intricate frame would be better suited for a traditional or classical artwork.
You should also consider your options when it comes to matting and mounting. The matting not only adds a decorative border to your piece, drawing focus in towards the artwork or photo, but also protects it from damage and helps to keep everything in place.
Additionally, based on the edges of your artwork and if it contains any signatures or edition numbers near the border, you may want to consider one of our float mounting options. Don't be afraid to ask us for advice if you are ever unsure - you can email or use the chat bubble on our site!
Check up on customer reviews and ratings
Reading customer reviews and ratings is a great way to make informed decisions about any product or service. They can provide valuable insights into quality, reliability and overall satisfaction.
By reading what others have experienced, you can gauge whether the framing service will meet your needs and expectations. It also allows you to avoid potential pitfalls and save yourself from a bad investment.
We are proud to publish reviews from verified customers, and stand by our Happiness Guarantee if you are not satisfied with your frames.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Framing Online?
There are of course some things you should be aware of when choosing to frame online versus visiting a local custom frame shop or purchasing a standard size frame.
Potential risks of damage during shipping
When shipping via UPS, FedEx or USPS, there is always the risk of damage or delays that can occur during transit.
We take enormous care in packaging every frame we send out to give it the best chance of arriving safely. Over time and with improvements to our packaging materials and methods, we've been able to drive down the rate of damage to close to 0%. And for anything that does arrive damaged, we make it easy to remedy the situation with a replacement or whatever else the situation calls for.
Color accuracy and variations on different screens
Depending on the brand and brightness settings of your phone or computer monitor, the final print of your photo or tone of the frame you ordered may not look exactly as it did during the customization and ordering process.
Each of our printers is routinely color calibrated, and we have a number of processes to make sure your images look as good as possible when printed.
We also provide numerous photos of each frame color to give you as close an idea as possible to how the final product will look when it arrives. If you have any doubts about the actual look and feel, you can contact us about ordering a test print or sample of our profiles.
Return and refund policies
Some online stores make it really challenging to secure a replacement or refund when something goes wrong. At Level Frames, we strive to provide you with a framing experience that exceeds expectations. However, in the rare instances where we miss the mark, we make it super easy to get in touch with us to figure out a solution as quickly as possible.
Our goal is to make every interaction with us as hassle-free as possible, so you can frame us with confidence.
Online Custom Framing for Large Prints
Are you looking for a convenient and hassle-free way to beautifully frame really large artwork? This too is possible and convenient online!
With just a few clicks, you can choose from a variety of high-quality frames and mats to perfectly complement your artwork. No more driving to the store or dealing with heavy and bulky frames – everything can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Learn more about how we offer framing for oversize art, and don't let the size of your prints hold you back from displaying them proudly.
Future Trends in Online Framing
There will be a place for traditional custom frame shops for quite awhile. But we believe that online custom framing is here to stay, and will only continue to grow based on the convenience, affordability and value.
Additionally, we will see plenty of innovation in framing coming based on changing needs and the emergence of newer technology.
Advances in frame visualization and preview
We've spent quite a bit of time creating our online framing experience, with the goal of having every frame reach you looking as close as possible to what you saw onscreen as you were customizing.
In the future, we are expecting significant advances in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology with respect to visualizing and customizing frames for your work or living space.
Imagine fully immersing yourself in a virtual environment via specialized headsets such as Apple's Vision Pro or Meta's Quest headset (formerly known as the Oculus). Interacting with and manipulating objects in the virtual world has opened up all kinds of new possibilities in various industries, such as architecture, design and entertainment - why not custom framing? Detailed framed art and photos will be be easily visualized and customized in a virtual space or overlaid into your actual room.
As these platforms continues to evolve, we expect even more realistic and dynamic frame visualizations.
The Integration of AI for personalized recommendations
The integration of Artificial Intelligence into online custom framing may end up revolutionizing the way we frame, offering hyper personalized recommendations, new interfaces and an even more streamlined experience.
We are big believers in the human eye and the talent of our designers who have been framing for years, but we can envision AI algorithms analyzing customer preferences, past interactions, and popular trends to suggest frame styles and materials that perfectly complement any artwork.
Perhaps more intereestingly, advanced visualization tools powered by AI could allow you to preview your framed artwork in various settings, helping to make an informed decisions without the need for physical samples.
Expansion of eco-friendly and sustainable framing
The demand for eco-friendly and sustainable framing options has been steadily increasing in recent years, and for good reason.
With the growing awareness of the impact of traditional framing materials on the environment, more and more people are seeking alternative options that are both stylish and environmentally responsible. This has led to an expansion in the availability of eco-friendly framing materials
We prioritize wood profiles sourced from sustainably managed forests, and sustainable framing techniques using non-toxic adhesives and finishes to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
As the demand for these options continues to grow, we can look forward to even more innovative and sustainable framing solutions in the future.
Integration of 3D printing
With the ability to utilize a diverse range of materials, from plastics to metals, advances in 3D printing could offer new and unprecedented flexibility in the centuries long tradition of making of custom frames.
We could see new methods of 3D printing making it easy to design frames with intricate patterns, textures, and shapes that might be difficult or too costly to achieve with the traditional processes, and offering a new level of personalization and faster production times.
And 3D printing stands out for its sustainable approach, producing minimal waste by using only the necessary material for each frame and offering the possibility to use recycled materials.
Even if this prediction comes to pass, we believe there will always be a strong demand for framing with traditional wood profiles and the artisan touch of an experienced custom framer.
Choosing the Online Framing Service Right for You
With the right online framing service, you can have confidence that your precious memories and artwork can be preserved and displayed in the best possible way. Investing a little time and research into finding a reliable service can save you from potential disappointments and costly mistakes.
Our philosophy at Level Frames is to build a team of experienced designers and framers, use top-quality materials, offer a wide range of customization options, and handcraft museum-quality custom frames at the fairest price possible. You can rest assured that your cherished pieces will be handled with care and attention, resulting in beautifully framed art and photos that will last a lifetime.
This trends are looking good for online framing, but the future is already here. Give online custom framing a try for your next framing project!
