The Frame That Makes People Stop and Look, Twice
Custom framing built around your piece.
What Is Custom Framing?
A ready-made frame asks your artwork to fit the frame. Custom framing works the other way around.
The frame is built to fit the exact size of your artwork, photograph, document or object. You also get to choose the frame, matting, glazing and mounting method based on how the piece looks, where it will hang and how much protection it needs.
That solves a few common problems.
Your artwork may not be a standard size. You may not know which frame works with the piece. An older photograph or original work may need more protection than a store-bought frame provides. Or you may be trying to display something that isn't flat at all.
Bring us the piece. We'll work through those decisions with you.
Hector Framing & Gallery has been framing artwork in Gainesville since 1981. Our custom frames are built locally, and conservation and museum-grade materials are available when the piece calls for them.
What Can Be Custom Framed?
If you want to put it on a wall, there's a good chance we've dealt with something similar.
We regularly frame original artwork, photographs, prints, posters, canvases, maps, textiles, diplomas, certificates, family photographs, memorabilia and collectibles.
Some projects need a standard custom frame. Others call for a more specialized approach.
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Need the same framing across multiple pieces?
Our Volume & Trade Framing service is designed for galleries, artists, interior designers, businesses and organizations that need consistent framing across a larger project.
We can establish the frame, matting, glazing and finished dimensions, then reproduce that specification across the job.
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Not everything worth framing is flat.
Our Shadow Box Framing service provides the extra depth needed for three-dimensional items such as medals, uniforms, keepsakes, textiles and collectibles.
The shadow box is built around the actual objects rather than forcing them into a predetermined depth.
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Diplomas, professional licenses, certificates and important documents have their own framing requirements.
Our Diplomas & Documents service combines a custom fit with your choice of frame, matting and protective glazing.
Multiple degrees or credentials can also be designed to work together as a set.
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Jerseys, signed photographs, tickets, medals and other sports memorabilia often need a combination of traditional framing and shadow box construction.
Our Sports Memorabilia service lets us build the display around the item and incorporate supporting pieces such as photographs, trading cards or tickets.
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Some artwork needs more attention to what goes inside the frame.
Our Conservation Framing service uses preservation-focused materials and framing methods for original artwork, photographs, works on paper, historical documents and pieces that would be difficult or impossible to replace.
Bring Us the Piece. We'll Start There.
Schedule an appointment at Hector Framing & Gallery in Gainesville.
702 West University Ave, Gainesville FL 32601
Custom Framing FAQ
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There isn't one standard price for custom framing.
The cost depends on the size of the piece, the moulding you choose, whether matting is used, the type of glass or acrylic, the mounting method and whether the project requires specialty construction such as a shadow box.
At Hector Framing, we'll show you the options and provide pricing based on the actual piece and framing design before the project moves forward.
There is no minimum project size.
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Custom framing orders at Hector Framing & Gallery can generally take up to one week, depending on the size, materials and nature of the project.
If you have a graduation, exhibition, gift or other deadline, let us know when you bring the piece in. Expedited service may be available.
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You can visit Hector Framing & Gallery during regular business hours, and appointments are available when you'd like dedicated time to work through a framing project.
On-site consultations can also be scheduled for homes and businesses when seeing the space will help with the framing or installation decision.
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A ready-made frame is manufactured in a predetermined size. Your artwork has to fit that size.
A custom frame is built around the dimensions of your piece. That also gives you control over the frame style, matting, glazing, mounting and level of protection.
Ready-made frames can work well for common print and photograph sizes. Custom framing is useful when the piece is an unusual size, needs preservation materials, has significant personal or financial value, or requires a particular presentation.
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Start with the artwork rather than the room.
The frame should work with the colors, materials, period and visual weight of the piece. From there, it's useful to consider the room where it will hang.
During a framing appointment, we'll place moulding and mat samples directly against your artwork so you can compare the options before deciding.
If you have photographs of the room or wall where the piece will hang, bring those too.
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Conservation framing is an approach intended to reduce avoidable damage to artwork over time.
Depending on the piece, this can include conservation-grade matting and backing, UV-filtering glazing, appropriate spacing between the artwork and glazing, and mounting methods chosen to avoid unnecessarily altering the original.
It's commonly considered for original artwork, photographs, limited editions, works on paper, historical documents and anything that would be difficult to replace.
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No glazing can completely prevent fading.
UV-filtering glass or acrylic can reduce exposure to ultraviolet light, which is one contributor to fading and deterioration. Visible light, heat, humidity and where the artwork is displayed also affect how materials age.
Even with protective glazing, original artwork and photographs should generally be kept away from prolonged direct sunlight.
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Not always.
Matting creates visual space around artwork and can help keep certain types of artwork from resting directly against the glazing. It can also be used as part of the overall design.
Some artwork looks better without a visible mat, and some framing methods use spacers or other construction instead.
The right approach depends on the piece.
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Yes.
Items with depth are typically framed using a shadow box. The additional space allows objects such as jerseys, medals, textiles, military memorabilia and collectibles to be displayed without being compressed into a standard picture frame.
The required depth and mounting method are determined by the object being framed.
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Sometimes.
If the existing frame is structurally sound and the dimensions work with the artwork, it may be possible to reuse it while replacing the matting, glazing, backing or other materials inside.
Bring the frame and artwork to the shop so we can evaluate them together.
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Bring the piece you want framed.
If you know where it will hang, a photograph of the wall or room can also be helpful. For memorabilia projects, bring any photographs, tickets, documents or other objects you might want included.
You don't need to decide what belongs in the final frame before the appointment. We can look at the options together.
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Yes.
Hector Framing & Gallery provides volume and trade framing for galleries, artists, interior designers, offices, businesses and organizations.
Projects can be built to an established specification so frame styles, matting and finished presentation remain consistent across multiple pieces.