Framing & Pricing

Framing & Pricing Guide

Frame a picture for the first time can be tricky so here’s a little beginner’s guide to help you out!
A well chosen frame can completely change how you see a piece. Everything from the type, size, and colour of the frame to the way it’s mounted can unlock the hidden potential, highlighting selected features and finishing the overall look.
Furthermore, framing is also about protecting your item from the dust, scratches and other possible damage. While some items like oil paintings can be hung as they are, more fragile works on paper would benefit from glazing and a sturdy frame.

Mounts (also known as mats)

Often referred to as ‘the border’, mount isn’t necessary all the time and pieces like posters will often be framed without it or ‘to the edge’. However, often original artworks on paper or photographs look best when mounted. Besides highlighting the artwork, a mount also physically distances and prevents the artwork from sticking to the glass (especially important with glossy finish photos or artworks containing oil based paint and inks). We only use acid free mount cards and fastening materials in our process. Please contact us for the full selection of mount colours available.

Most commonly used mounting technique is called Window mounting - when a beveled edge ‘window’ is cut into the board to show the artwork underneath it. There’s no hard-and-fast rule as to how wide a mount should be in relation to the artwork as it depends on the size and other features of the piece but as a general rule, your mount should be at least 1.5 times as wide as your frame. If the mat is smaller than the frame, you run the risk of the artwork appearing stuffed into the frame. As a guide, we will often use 4-6cm wide margin on an A3 piece.

Window mount - close up. Artwork by Trevor Jones, Framing by Leith Framing Studio

Another popular way to mount the piece is Surface mounting. In this way the edge of the paper is left exposed and the mount card serves as a base. This is usually done when the edge of the paper is torn or is irregular in another interesting way. (Please note that in some cases, an inner frame (known as a fillet) may be required to keep the glass off the paper).

Other types of mounting we offer include Step mount, Surface-window, Float and Shadow mounting.

Surface mounting - close up (with fillet). Artwork by Patrizio Belcampo, framing by Leith Framing Studio

Frames (mouldings)

Usually there are many possible ways of framing a piece depending on what features you want to underline within it or where in the room it’s going. However, there’s couple of notes when choosing the right frame:
1. The frame width generally should be skinnier than the mount used to create a bit of variance and some space for the picture.
2. Select the best frame for the piece instead of matching another frame. Sometimes clients will want to match an existing frame but if the exact match isn’t available, the general advice is to go with something that will compliment the artwork and the interior rather than opting for a ‘close enough’. If the match falls a little short, it simply won’t look right.
We offer a wide selection of moudlings, some of the most popular you can see below. Mouldings are priced by 'range', A being the most affordable and going up accordingly.

Glass

To protect your piece from the dust scratches and other environmental factors we use glazing. The most commonly used is regular 2mm picture glass that naturally offers approximately 45% UV protection. Besides it, with a variation in price, we also stock:

‘True colour’ sometimes referred to as ‘Invisible’ or reflection-control glass. Due to the special coating breaking the light, it looks like it’s almost not there. Offers similar UV protection as regular glass.
U-V resistant. Looks like regular glass but provides additional protection from the damaging sunlight rays that may discolour images.
Perspex (also known as Acrylic or Plexiglass) is also available as an alternative to glass in situations where there’s high risk of breakage or weight limitations.

True Colour glass. Artwork by Trevor Jones, Framing by Leith Framing Studio

Artworks on Board and Canvas

Some artworks don’t require mounting or glazing. For example, an oil or acrylic painting on canvas often looks it’s best with a well matched frame around it and nothing else. In addition to our usual mouldings, we also offer ‘Tray’ or ‘Open’ frames that are perfectly suited for artwork that doesn’t require glazing and provide an elegant, minimalistic finish to the piece.

Open Frames. Artwork by Gill Knight, framing by Leith Framing Studio

(A very rough) Guide to Pricing

Picture framing is a complex process with many variables. The final price of the job will depend on factors like the final size (we use glass size for pricing), materials used and special manual labor (in cases where hand-finishing like frame waxing is required).
Below is a very rough guide to what you can expect to pay depending on the size of the picture. Our mouldings are divided into 'ranges' that are labeled with different letters (can be seen in brackets next to the samples above).

Besides the factors stated, the price includes: backing, regular picture glass, acid free barrier board and hangers.

Framing Price Guide

* Please note that this information is strictly for illustration purposes only and is subject to change.

*	Frame A	Frame A	Frame B	Frame B	Frame C	Frame C
Glass Size	Without a mount	With a mount	Without a mount	With a mount	Without a mount	With a mount
A5 (15x21cm)	£19.3	£23.3	£23.0	£27.0	£27.9	£31.9
A4 (21x29.7cm)	£26.1	£31.7	£31.2	£36.8	£38.1	£43.7
A3 (29.7x42cm)	£36.4	£44.2	£43.7	£51.5	£53.4	£61.2
A2 (42x59.4cm)	£52.8	£63.9	£63.7	£74.8	£77.6	£88.8
A1 (59.4x81.4)	£77.5	£93.3	£92.8	£108.6	£112.6	£128.4