Economical picture framing options for non-standard sizes

[shelivesthedream]

I have a print that I dropped when I was trying to put it up in our new house. The glass shattered and a big chip came out of the frame and got lost. It's 36cm by 56cm and needs a glass front that will protect it from sunlight. (Not because it's massively valuable, but it 's an old catalogue print so not on special art paper or with special ink.) The original frame was gilt wood but I'd be OK with either that or a slim black frame (to match the other two pictures in that room). Also, it would ideally be reasonably lightweight (for a picture frame).

The options I can think of are:
1. Take it to a professional framers.
2. Order a custom-sized frame online.
3. Buy a standard frame and cut strips of mount top and bottom to fit.

What would you recommend? I'm generally quite crafty and manually dexterous with small things, but I think making an actual frame from bits of wood is probably beyond me right now.

[Sloeginfizz]

Most of my prints are in simple, white Ikea frames. The ones that didn’t fit the standard mat got a custom cut mat from a frame shop. It was way cheaper than a whole frame but looks just as good. Plus I think it looks good overall to have matching frames for the art on my walls.

I just took a look on google and this place will do custom mats for pretty cheap. I’ve never used them, so no idea of quality.

https://www.matboardandmore.com/products/custom-matting.aspx

[gooki]

If you do go the custom route, get quotes from many places. The prices I received varied by 50%.

[Linea_Norway]

I have an unused, slightly oversized frame for you standing in my garage. I should have sold it years ago. Don't even remember what I thought we needed it for, because it has never been used.

Is it a crazy option to just build a new frame and forget about the glass plate? Maybe stick the picture to the back of the frame in several places? I don't see any other good options for DIY.

[lthenderson]

With a cheap miterbox, glue and a length of molding from a big box hardware store, you can make a customized frame to any size in less than an hour. If you add a router to the mix, you can make your own molding from any pieces of wood you have laying around. For the glass, once I get a frame done, I just go down to the local window glass installer and he will cut me the right sized piece in about five minutes and generally it costs me a dollar or two.

[marielle]

With a cheap miterbox, glue and a length of molding from a big box hardware store, you can make a customized frame to any size in less than an hour. If you add a router to the mix, you can make your own molding from any pieces of wood you have laying around. For the glass, once I get a frame done, I just go down to the local window glass installer and he will cut me the right sized piece in about five minutes and generally it costs me a dollar or two.

This is how I framed a 6000 piece puzzle. I didn't get glass though. I glued the puzzle, then glued that to a thin piece of plywood that is a bit bigger than the puzzle itself, then glued pieces of mold/chair rail on the visible edges of plywood. My angled cuts in the molding weren't perfect so I filled in the cracks where they meet with painter's putty. I think it's about 4' x 5' final size?

[shelivesthedream]

It has only just occurred to me that I can apply the same purchasing technique to this that I do to almost everything else: check ebay's used items. Many frames are available! Some even with added hideous picture! Now to sift through them...

[Fishindude]

I would just get an over sized cheap picture frame, then make a cardboard or fabric "matting" for it.

[therethere]

Line up a few thrift stores on your map. Bring your tape measure and scope out all the big ugly framed paintings and prints for sale. If you really want the UV glass I'm sure you'll be able to find one in a professional mat (can usually tell from the paper on the back). Take apart the frame and spray paint the outside the color of your choosing. Reuse your existing mat or make a new one with mat board from a craft store.

I've done this for a few of DH's prints. It takes awhile to find an odd size. But eventually you score. Repurposed oversized frames with glass for like $20 or less.

[honeybbq]

I think Michael's does custom framing and they ALWAYS have 50% coupons.

[Gone_Hiking]

I had a similar challenge earlier this year with a folk art paper cutout that I wanted to preserve.  I waited at a local Michael's custom framing counter for a while and then I noticed that all of their frames were 50% off.  I picked up one that was a large square with a small rectangular opening, enlarged the opening to fit the item I was framing, and problem was solved for $15 or so.  If Ebay route doesn't work, definitely give Michael's a try - they have 40 - 60% off coupons on any given week.

[Linea_Norway]

I had a similar challenge earlier this year with a folk art paper cutout that I wanted to preserve.  I waited at a local Michael's custom framing counter for a while and then I noticed that all of their frames were 50% off.  I picked up one that was a large square with a small rectangular opening, enlarged the opening to fit the item I was framing, and problem was solved for $15 or so.  If Ebay route doesn't work, definitely give Michael's a try - they have 40 - 60% off coupons on any given week.

The nicest way to make the paper cutout smaller is to use a passepartout knife. We invested in a good such knife that can cut diagonally. When we went to live in a large house for the first time and needed some art on the wall, we bought art and cheap frames and did all the fitting to the frames ourselves. It still comes in handy from time to time, also when we want to frame photographs.

[NoStacheOhio]

If it's a really odd size, you can get a custom mat cut, then get frame pieces of any length and assemble them yourself. It's pretty easy.

https://www.dickblick.com/categories/frame-sections/

There are other places online to order, I can't remember the one I used back in my art class days.

[Orvell]

Gentle PSA-- all these options are clever and frugal! BUT make sure if you're trying to preserve something really lovely, that you use archival materials.
Cheap commercial paper/cardboard that's not acid-free will cause damage over time.

[shelivesthedream]

Gentle PSA: most people have their location listed under their avatar. Not everyone is American. A quick glance can stop you suggesting someone go to a shop that doesn't exist in their country.

[Mtngrl]

I've had good luck ordering custom picture frames from pictureframes.com -- definitely much cheaper than taking to a custom frame shop. you pick the style you want and give them your measurements and they give a quote.

[MBot]

Another vote for an oversized frame and custom mat. That has been a good solution for several of different pieces.

Ways I have done it cheaper that may work for you:
- thrift the frame and mat, ensuring it is archival quality and the mat opening isn't not cut too larger already. Cut the mat yourself.
- thrift or buy the frame, purchase a mat that fits. Have a framing store custom cut the mat perfectly to size.
- if it's not incredibly precious (eg the archival nature is secondary), I've also bought very large sheets of watercolour paper for the equivalent of a couple pounds, and cut them into a "mat" shape shape to surround large, odd sized prints

Best of luck!