Finding a high-end framer in the Los Angeles area?

March 29, 2023 1:37 PM

I have an antique print that I'd like to get framed, but I'm not sure how to find a framer that can do what the internet tells me is 'conservation framing' in the Los Angeles area.

Specific business recommendations would be great, but failing that is there a way to identify high end framers capable of handling the job? Or do I need to just start calling every frame store one by one? I found an LA Times article from 2003, so if any of them are still in business my plan is to start with those.

I'm also still waffling on if I should actually frame the original or have a reproduction made, what kind of business am I looking for to do a high quality reproduction?

posted by lemonade to Media & Arts (11 answers total)

Best answer: The Getty Conservation Institute probably won’t be able to help you directly, but they’ll know someone local who can.
posted by corey flood at 1:50 PM on March 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The search terms you probably want to use are "fine art framing" and/or "museum quality." That should narrow it down a bit; call them up and ask if they handle antiques. Also ask if they offer conservation quality acid free framing materials including UV blocking glass. You might also want to ask for recommendations at a high end antique store or antique prints gallery.
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:10 PM on March 29, 2023

Best answer: Call museums (smaller ones might be more approachable) and ask them if they use local framers and who they recommend.
posted by museum nerd at 2:29 PM on March 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: My artist friend in LA uses these guys.
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:00 PM on March 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Contact Allan Jeffries (in west LA, though they may have other locations). If they can’t help you out they should be able to direct you to someplace that can
posted by namemeansgazelle at 3:21 PM on March 29, 2023

Best answer: Fine Art Solutions.
posted by nanook at 3:52 PM on March 29, 2023

Best answer: Another search term you might use is “archival methods”. But honestly I’d be kind of surprised to find a frame shop that didn’t employ anyone who has familiarity with these sorts of concepts and methods. For example, you’ll want to be certain that all materials which will contact the print (mats and backing and hinging tape etc) are acid free.
posted by fancyoats at 4:15 PM on March 29, 2023

In my experience, most decent framing shops can do archival framing with the correct materials and UV protective museum glass.
posted by fimbulvetr at 4:42 PM on March 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Paradise Framing is another I’d recommend for high-end framing in Los Angeles.
posted by jimw at 7:13 PM on March 29, 2023

Good advice upthread; it's true that most framers will be able to handle this request. Note that in LA (and any earthquake-prone region), archival plexi is generally a better (and lighter! and more expensive!) choice from a curatorial perspective than glass. (Exceptions: any friable media, because plexi is staticky and will pull eg pastel off the paper.)
posted by obliquicity at 2:11 AM on March 30, 2023

Adding to the chorus that I have never needed to go to a specialty "archival" / "conservation" framer for this purpose; you would just need to specify your needs (acid-free/conservation-quality framing materials/UV glass) when you bring your piece in and chat with the frame shop. These materials will be more expensive, obviously.

I'm sorry I don't have an L.A.- specific recommendation to share, but I have a number of antique prints that were framed at various times by not particularly high-end frame shops in such undistinguished places as Pawtucket, R.I., Eugene, OR., and Macon, GA., specifying acid-free archival materials, and they all did a lovely job and the prints have held up without light/acid damage, some for decades at this point.

Honestly, I even had a (valuable! irreplaceable!) antique poster framed by Framebridge, which is one of those direct-to-consumer dIsRuPtIvE brands but also uses museum-quality, acid-free, archival framing materials. At the time I simply couldn't afford to get it framed locally because it's huge. Their frame/mat options are kinda boring and don't really stack up to having a real person with an artistic/design eye look at your art and select from a seemingly infinite library of materials, but even they were perfectly capable of handling a fragile antique print without damage and framing it to archival standards (going on 5 years in a sunny room, looks great).

What I'm saying is I think this is probably not as hard as it sounds and I don't think you need a specialty shop. Find any well-reviewed frame shop that's convenient to your location, either call them or bring your print in to discuss your needs, expect to pay a lot of money even if it's not a particularly fancy place, and you'll be golden.
posted by sparkling at 9:24 AM on March 30, 2023 [1 favorite]