Top Tips For Frame Design

Top tips for frame design

Many people struggle to know where to start when it comes to thinking about the design of a picture frame. I have put together some top tips for frame design for you.

As a bespoke picture framer, I am here to help you with frame design choices. I offer my experience to help you with design, colour, techniques and materials for your frame. However, there are a few things that will help you to focus your thoughts and ideas if you can consider them before coming for your appointment.

How much is your item worth to you?

There are some things for you to think about that will help me to advise you on the level of framing your item needs. For instance, is the item you would like to have framed something of low or limited intrinsic value that could easily be replaced (for instance an open edition print or a digital photograph)? Or is it of specific value to you (sentimental, rare, historic or collectable) so you want to preserve it for the future in good condition?
There are different levels of framing defined by the Fine Art Trade Guild. These help us to fit your requirements to the framing treatment that your item is given. For replaceable items, the focus will be on the design. For rarer or more valuable items the focus will be both on design AND the use of specialist techniques and materials. This will make sure that your framing package will look great and protect the item into the future.

What are your priorities for the design?

You will also find it useful to think about whether you want to focus on a framing package designed to complement your artwork (the colours, era of the piece etc.). Or your priority might be for the frame to fit in with a decorative theme in your house. If so, it can be very helpful if you bring a couple of photos showing the décor or furniture in the room where you want to display it. You could also bring photos of other frames you already have that you would like to match if you would like it to fit in with a set of frames. If you want to match an existing frame, it is helpful to bring the example frame along to the consultation. If it is not practical to bring it, you can take detailed photographs and measurements of the frame moulding.

Some people find it helpful to look around for examples of framing styles that they like before coming along for their appointment. You can find lots of helpful and inspiring images in the gallery and portfolio pages of the Pure Framing website as well as on the Instagram feed. I hope that you have found these top tips for frame design useful.