How much does it cost to frame a picture?

How often have you bought a piece of artwork and only had it sit on the side for months, if not years?

I understand that one of the biggest barriers to buying my linocut prints and other artist artwork can be the unknown cost of the framing.

• How much will it cost to frame my picture?

• Can I buy an off-the-shelf frame that will fit the picture?

• Will getting my picture framed take a long time and be inconvenient?

Framing doesn't have to be expensive. When framing pictures, there are two main options:

• Frame the artwork using a ready-made picture frame or a made-to-measure picture frame.

• Go to professional framers and have it framed for you.

What size frame do I need for your linocut prints?

Below is a guide to frame sizes for my linocut prints.

Large square linocut prints

For example, Littondale

Image size 160 x 160mm. Mount outer 305 x 305mm

I recommend a 305 x 305mm (approx 12 x 12”) picture frame.

 

Medium square linocut prints

For example, Moon Gazing Hare

Image size 125 x 125mm. Mount outer 230 x 230mm

I recommend a 230 x 230mm (approx 9 x 9”) picture frame.

Portrait linocut prints

For example, Holgate Windmill

Image size 125 x 175mm. Mount outer 255 x 305mm

I recommend a 255 x 305mm (approx 10 x 12”) picture frame.

Panorama linocut prints

For example, Millington, Yorkshire Wolds

Image size 250 x 100mm. Mount outer 400 x 250mmI recommend a 400 x 250mm picture frame.

Mini series linocut prints as single prints

For example, Yorkshire Coast linocut print, rooftops

Paper size approx 130 x 180mm. The image size varies per design. As a guide for mounting, the image will be within 70 x 120mm.

I recommend a 130 x 180mm (approx 5 x 7") frame. It can be framed with or without a 100 x 150mm (approx 4 x 6") aperture mount.

Mini series linocut prints as a set of 3 prints

For example, Yorkshire Three Peaks, a set of 3 linocut prints

I recommend a triptych picture frame with mount 3 mount apertures measuring approximately 100 x 150mm (approx 4 x 6").

How do I frame my linocut print?

Professional framing

Using a professional framing service is usually the most expensive option. However, they often cater for different budgets and have options for framing materials.

Pros

• More choice of frame styles and colours.

• Choice of better quality frames.

• Sealed back to the artwork so that dust and insects such as thunder bugs don’t get under the glass.

• Acid-free materials.

• Better quality hanging system.

Cons

• More expensive to buy

Frame it yourself with made-to-measure frames

Many professional framers will also offer a made-to-measure service so that you can frame your print yourself.

Pros

• Cheaper to buy.

• Bespoke sizing.

Cons

• The artwork isn’t sealed and protected.

Frame it yourself with readymade picture frames

They are widely available across the high street and online. Look for solid wood frames, which are better quality than the cheaper MDF frames.

Pros

• Cheaper to buy.

Cons

• Limited colours and sizes are available in stores. (Often, more are available online)

• The artwork isn’t sealed and protected.

• Be aware of very cheap MDF frames. Over time, the coating can delaminate the frames that come apart at the mitred joints.

How much does it cost to frame a picture in the UK?

The following framing price guide will help you understand the costs of framing one of my linocut prints or a piece of art.

Readymade picture frames

Ilkley, Skipton and online shop - Dalesway Picture Framing 

Black frame - 18mm wide x 14mm deep

• 7 x 5” picture frame £8*

Black frame - 20mm wide x 20mm deep

• 12 x 12” picture frame £17*

Made to measure picture frames

Tadcaster and online shop - Skelf Frames

Black frame - 22mm wide x 22mm deep.

Look for ‘Smooth Black’ (20mm) in the ‘made-to-measure’ section.

• 12 x 12” picture frame with standard glass - £29*

• 12 x 12” picture frame with non-reflective glass - £32*

• 9 x 9” picture frame with standard glass - £25*

• 9 x 9” picture frame with non-reflective glass - £27*

Professional framing

York - Steve Garnett Picture Framing 

Black frame - 20mm wide x 20mm deep

• 12 x 12” picture frame with standard glass - £52*

• 12 x 12” frame with AR 70 glass, non-reflective, super clear - £64*

Ilkley - Dalesway Picture Framing 

Black frame - 20mm wide x 20mm deep

• 12 x 12” picture frame with standard glass £32*

• 9 x 9” picture frame with standard glass £27.50*

*The individual retailer or supplier estimated prices in October 2022 and are subject to change. Michelle Hughes Design is not affiliated with any suggested retailers or suppliers.

Where do you buy picture frames?

Ready-made picture frames

Below are some off-the-shelf frames that I have spotted.

Ilkley, Skipton and online shop - Dalesway Picture Framing 

You can pick it up in-store or order it online. At the time of writing, they sold 12x12" frames, which fit all my large square prints. See the pricing guide below for details.

Made-to-measure picture frames

Tadcaster and online shop - Skelf Frames

A family-run picture frame manufacturer in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, offers readymade and made-to-measure frames.

12 x 12" solid wood readymade frame - Dalesway Picture Framing

Professionally framed print back - Steve Garnett Picture Framing

Which bespoke framing services do you recommend?

Professional picture framing

York - Steve Garnett Picture Framing 

Steve frames my local customers. Steve frames for many of my local customers. He has over 40 years of experience framing from his home-based workshop in Acomb, York.

Ilkley and Skipton - Dalesway Picture Framing 

Established in 1985, Picture Frames is a family-run business. It has a retail shop in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, which sells bespoke picture framing and handmade readymade frames, and a workshop and retail shop in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

Otley - The Artworks  

Recommended by a friend who's a professional artist.

Do you offer a framing service for your linocut prints?

I stopped offering a framing service in 2021 to focus on making prints. Outsourcing framing and adding to my time would make the framing cost more expensive than going directly to your local picture framers.

When I sell my prints in galleries, I have to allow for the 40-50% commission that most galleries charge on the framed print. This means I either double the frame cost or make a loss.

Some of my linocut prints are framed for exhibitions and art galleries, so I usually have a few professionally framed prints available. Please email me at michellehughesdesign@outlook.com to inquire. Framed prints are available to pick up from my York studio only.

What materials are used for framing?

Frame moulding

A wide variety of styles are available. I prefer solid wood frames to MDF frames. Coated pine solid wood frames are cheaper than oak or hand-painted hardwood frames.

I use a 22mm wide and 22m deep matt black solid wood frame to frame my linocut prints. Some of my customers have used oak or grey picture frames, which work well. The paper I print on and the mounts I use are soft white, so they don't work as well with bright white ready-made frames.

Glass glazing

Most readymade frames are made with standard glass, which is slightly reflective. Made-to-order and professional framing can be done in standard or non-reflective glass, which is more expensive.

Plastic acrylic glazing

Frames can also be glazed in acrylic or plastic Styrene. This can reflect light but is also used to reduce costs, breakages, and weight. It also has a non-reflective option. I've noticed that many ready-made frames in high-street retailers have moved to this.

Mounts

I recommend using acid-free mounts. These will protect your artwork and not yellow over time. A picture mount or matt board also protects the artwork by creating a barrier between your art and the glazing.

My linocut prints are sold with acid-free mounts and backboards, except for my 5x7" mini print range, which is sold with an acid-free backing board and without a mount.

Examples of my framed linocut prints

Below are a selection of my prints framed for exhibitions.

Gallery my of customers' framed prints

Below are some photos from my customers showing how they have framed my linocut prints. I love seeing photos of my prints in their new homes. If you'd be happy for me to include a photo in this blog, email me at michellehughesdesign@outlook.com.

Do you use a local picture framer that you can recommend in other parts of the UK? I'd be happy to add them to this blog.

Customer recommendations for professional framing

Lavender Hill, London: The London Framing Studio

Otley, West Yorkshire: The Artworks Framing

Pocklington, Yorkshire: Pocklington Framing

If you have any other questions, please get in touch.

Michelle

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About the author

Michelle Hughes is a North Yorkshire linocut artist. Much of her work depicts the Yorkshire landscape and Yorkshire coast, including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Michelle loves exploring the British countryside by bike or on foot, with her camera in hand, and capturing ideas for her next linocut prints. Back in her garden studio, Michelle creates simple but stylised silhouettes based on her photographs and carves these shapes into lino. She hand prints with an etching press, using oil-based inks to create tonal blocks of colour. Michelle’s original linocut prints are limited editions.