Stick with the framer I know?

November 6, 2008 2:19 PM

Picture framing: A few years ago I spent a few thousand dollars to have a bunch of photos and paintings framed by a professional. It all went very well and I was very happy. I'm now ready to frame another batch, but this framer isn't convenient to me any more (same city, just not the same 'hood). Is it worth hauling everything to the guy I know? Or is framing one of those games where most folks offer the same level of service? Are there bad framers?
posted by crickets to shopping (5 comments total)

There are bad framers, but usually it's bad matte cutting that will be seen. For what it's worth, I'd take one of the pieces to somewhere closer to you and see how they rate in fit and finish/quality with the other guy.
posted by bach at 2:29 PM on November 6, 2008

If you had a good experience and didn't pay too much and a few years later you're still happy with the results, what is it going to hurt to go cross-town? You're worth it.
posted by dancestoblue at 2:58 PM on November 6, 2008

I shipped some pictures across country to a framer in my old hometown when I wanted something really nice done for my husband's birthday. I think it's pretty easy to find someone who does a decent job, but if you've got a large batch and are prepared to spend a fair amount of money it's worth it to drive across town to someone who's made you very happy in the past.
posted by handful of rain at 3:03 PM on November 6, 2008

I had one bad experience - I wouldn't have thought framing could be so messed up, but hey look it can!

If it's only a little inconvenient, I wouldn't risk it. Plus, if it's a small business (not the Best Buy of framers), I vote for supporting someone you had a good experience with.
posted by KAS at 3:25 PM on November 6, 2008

Yes, there are bad framers, though they're usually not in business for long. Framing is expensive and you have to offer a certain level of quality or people don't come back. So if you ask around a little, you can probably be assured of quality closer to home.

On the other hand, there is more to framing than simply the quality of the workmanship. There is also the eye of the framer. If your previous framer helped you make aesthetic decisions about the framing--matte colors, matte widths, moldings, etc.--and you were happy with the results, then I would say it's worth the inconvenience to go back there.
posted by bricoleur at 4:55 PM on November 6, 2008