When a Custom Picture Frame Is Better than Store-Bought

Going to the nearest big box store or department store when you need a picture frame is the natural inclination of many people. But the selections and styles at these stores are limited and you’re likely to see the same frames in your friends and family’s homes.

Custom picture frames give you the chance to personalize your frame and truly match it to the photo you’re framing and to your home’s unique décor and aesthetic. Here are a few particular instances when a custom picture frame is a better option than a generic store-bought frame.

Unusual Photo Sizes

With the increasing popularity of hobby photography, more and more people want to hang custom art in their home. Whether you’re taking the photos yourself or buying the art from a vendor at your local farmer’s market, these one-of-kind prints bring amazing character to your home.

This rising trend has introduced a tangent trend: photos of unusual sizes. While your typical 4x6 and 8x10 photos are still popular, more and more custom photography is being produced in unusual sizes and dimensions. Smaller photos, large format, panoramic, all these styles are hard to frame if you’re shopping for frames at a department store. However, ordering a custom picture frame means these atypical dimensions aren’t a problem and your choices of frame style and look aren’t limited.

Adding Color

Store-bought frames generally come with a white or cream mat board, if the frame includes a mat board at all (which many store-bought frames don’t). A mat board is the “border” within the frame that gives you framed photos a professional, finished look.

Opting for a custom picture frame means you get to customize every aspect of your frame package – including the mat board that surrounds the photo. Buying a custom mat board lets you add color to your framed photo. You can choose a color that will complement the photo by highlighting accent colors, or get a mat board in a color that makes the framed photo seamlessly fit in with your room’s décor. Custom mat boards range from soft neutrals to bright bolds, giving you plenty of options to experiment with.

With custom frames, you also have the option of layered mat boards – something that’s very hard to find in store board frames. Layered mat boards allow you to add a thin line of additional color to the framed photo. This technique is ideal for calling out accent colors in the photo, particularly when framing wedding photos.

Dramatic Look

When creating a wall display of family photos, framing an important document, or using a framed picture as the focal point of a wall or room, you may want a particular look or a frame that adds a little extra flair to the photo.

Department stores do a good job of carrying popular styles, but you don’t have many options if you’re looking for something a little different. Whether you want a bolder frame, a different finish or something ornate, you’re not likely to find these styles at a store. Custom picture framers carry a much wider selection of frame styles to help you achieve the look you’re envisioning.

By ordering a custom frame you can also control the size of the mat board. This gives you the option of framing your photo in a frame that’s much larger than the print itself, relying on a wide mat board or an offset mat opening to add style and drama to your cherished photo.

Preservation

If you’re framing a one-of-a-kind piece of art or precious family photos, you want to make sure those memories last for a long time. Cheaper framing materials can introduce acid into the frame was the paper and other wood-based materials being to leach naturally occurring acid over time. This can cause yellowing and other discoloration in your photo. Another harmful element to photos and art is direct UV rays, which will cause pictures of fade over time.

Custom framing gives you the option of protecting your photos with archival-quality framing materials, such as acid-free mat boards and UV-filter glazing (picture frame glass).

Custom picture frames are easy and affordable to order online, making this option just as realistic as running to the store. When your custom framed photo is hanging on display exactly the way you pictured it, you’ll be glad you opted for the custom frame.

Read: How Much Does It Cost to Custom Frame a Picture?

Written by Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers is the President and Co-Founder of Frame Destination. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mark has become a leading authority on framing techniques and best practices, and has earned a reputation for his innovative approaches to custom framing and frame services for photographers and artists.