Custom Framing and Couches: Are They Worth It?

This is an image of a custom framed Taylor Swift Poster. The poster is framed with a gray mat and an orange and black frame.

Custom Framing and Couches: Are They Worth It?

Mary Lou’s couches are mind blowing. At first glance, sitting on them seems impossible. Years of childhood admonishments such as “Sit like a lady or gentleman” and “Get your greasy head off my pillows” run through your head, and you know that there is no way that you’re sitting on that couch. With their elegant fabric and clean lines, they’re classic “fancy room” furniture that needs to be viewed from a standing perspective only. However, after much assurance and encouragement, you carefully lower yourself to sit and immediately relish in the comfort; you find yourself almost wanting to lounge on these couches. How luxurious! (This isn’t the mindblowing part.)

The exquisite couches are old–vintage, but not quite antique status. If you saw them in their original state, you’d tell Mary Lou to stick them outside with a “free” sign on it. Not worth the hassle. Just buy new. Except, a new couch costs more than recovering and restoring the original couches. (This is the mindblowing part.) 

It almost doesn’t make sense that recovering and restoring a couch is more affordable than buying a new couch. There is specialty labor, materials, and time that goes into recovering and restoring, and it immediately feels too expensive. A less tenacious person wouldn’t dream of exploring this option and would get intimidated by the perceived cost.

Is Custom Framing Worth It? This is an image of Jane Austen stamps that are custom framed in a white mat with a green frame with champagne accent.

Custom framing is exactly the same as recovering a couch–a custom product with specialty labor, materials, and time which is usually more affordable than you think.

Thanks to box stores, we live in a constant state of coupons and deals. No one goes to a craft store without a coupon because we all expect to receive at least 25% off our purchase. Some stores advertise promotions for 50% – 70% off custom framing. That math doesn’t make sense. If your frame is $250 with a 70% off coupon, then the frame would retail for a little over $800 without the coupon. That’s insane and inaccurate. However, we’ve been conditioned to expect this and perceive custom framing–especially from small businesses–as being too expensive and unaffordable.

As a result, people often ask whether custom framing is worth it. Some people turn to do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions, grab a cheap ready-made frame, repurpose an old frame, or go without a frame. We love good DIY, and some art is perfect for these projects. We have a few ready-made frames in our own homes (some good, some not-so-good). It is smart to go green by recycling old frames when it makes sense, and you’ll rarely hear us advocating for frameless art. It’s unnecessary suffering.

So Is Custom Framing Worth It?

In our expert opinion, the answer is a firm “yes.” Our clients frame everything from precious heirlooms to mass-produced prints. There are two reasons why you should consider custom framing:

1. Your art has sentimental value.

This is a custom framed bronze star medal with a letter and a portrait.

If the photo or art is on your top five list of things to grab in a house fire, you should go custom every time. This means it is irreplaceable to you–even if the piece has little material value. If your art is a gift or a souvenir you picked up on a fun trip, then you should investigate custom framing because it has symbolism and meaning. If home decor and aesthetics are important to you, then custom framing will help you achieve your goals.

2. Your art needs practical framing.

Is Custom Framing Worth It? This is an image of a custom framed Cartier scarf.

“Practical” doesn’t mean “less exciting.” There is a science behind custom framing, and sometimes, your art needs practical, scientific framing. Oversized or funky-sized art, delicate pieces, and very old or very valuable art often require the special materials and handling that custom framing and a conservator bring to the process. With the right framing, your art can outlive you.

There are times when you will not need custom framing. Some art is a right now purchase, a print or a photo to fill a space while you decide on what you truly want to display. Stick that in the $10 frame. Other times, you have art you enjoy that could turn into a forever piece. If that’s the case, you can bring your ready-made frame to a custom framer, and they will swap out the glass and backing with archival materials. 

Is Custom Framing Expensive?

According to an article by Vox, “Framing is now a service that communicates, ‘I have my shit together,’ and this is partly because it is a notoriously expensive service.” The Washington Post asks, “You found the perfect piece of art – at the perfect price – to fill that blank living room wall, but it’s unframed. Do you love it enough to shell out even more money for a pricey professional framing job?”

This goes back to the 50% – 70% off mind games. Many of our clients tell us “Oh, that’s not bad at all” or “I thought this would cost much more” after we quote their framing project. It’s more affordable than they expected. (Remember the couches?)

While there is a base cost in custom framing, there are ways you can control the price from getting out of hand. Frames are made out of different materials and finishes that can make moulding more expensive. Double- and triple-matting art is an industry standard to increase the price. At our studio, we only offer it if we believe more mats will enhance the art and help the overall design. Some pieces need museum glass, but most only need UV protectant glazing–a product that is almost the same price as regular glass. If you trust your framer, you can have a frank conversation about cost. With thousands of choices at their fingertips, they will work with you to help give you a design you love that won’t break the bank.

The most important part of custom framing for us–the reason we get up and go to work every day–is to help our clients fall in love with their art. “I want you to love your art,” says Mary Lou Coyle. “I don’t want you to feel pressured. I want you to look at it and say, ‘This makes me so happy. I love this so much.’ We want excellence coming out of our studio.”