Poster art framing

Don't know if anyone can help, but I've accumulated about 8 concert posters that I need framed, and I'm looking for a place. Seems like frameshops are a bit like mattress stores – many offer these big discounts or coupons, which leads me to worry I'm apt to overpay. However, I want them done nicely – a few are gifts.

Recommendations for places in the District or close-in suburbs?

There's this cute little French store called Targe'. You can buy frames their and diy.

Oh, never mind.

I get all my posters framed at Frame Mart Gallery in Cleveland Park, across from the Uptown. It's a small family-owned shop that's been there for decades. They're not cheap, but they do a fantastic job. They've done about 8 or 9 posters for me so far and I wouldn't think of going anywhere else. If you go there ask for Chris, he's real good at coming up with unique framing ideas that enhance the artwork on the poster.

Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
Don't know if anyone can help, but I've accumulated about 8 concert posters that I need framed, and I'm looking for a place. Seems like frameshops are a bit like mattress stores – many offer these big discounts or coupons, which leads me to worry I'm apt to overpay. However, I want them done nicely – a few are gifts.

Recommendations for places in the District or close-in suburbs?

>>>There is a place I use in Fairfax….but,they are damn pricey……I think no matter where you go you will end up paying more for the frame than the print itself…..it all depends on what kind of quality you want…..I know this didn't help, but it does depend on different factors….

Custom framing will always cost a lot.

Two possible solutions:

Ikea frames - They won't fit exactly, but they still look pretty good.

DIY with http://www.americanframe.com/ You can order any custom size frame and mat and they will ship it to you at more reasonable costs than frame stores.

ggw, cool site. Thanks. Actually, the measurements are online as I ordered them from online sites (except for the oddly-sized WSC posters from their CD release party), so this may actually be pretty easy!

There's also "Frame of Mine," a DIY workshop on 8th St SE that'll help you do it well, with real glass, etc.

I got my Wilco poster framed at a place next to Bedrock Billiards on Columbia Road and they did a great job. I have to say, for me, what's most important is getting it done close to home so that once it's pretty you don't have to transport it far.

Try Michaels craft store.

Originally posted by chimbly sweep:

I got my Wilco poster framed at a place next to Bedrock Billiards on Columbia Road and they did a great job.

how much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking?

michaels will have a 1/2 off sale on framing about once a month or so.

americanframe.com is very easy and inexpensive, although I would recommend measuring your posters before ordering, just to be sure. Sometimes the online descriptions are a little off.

I've had all my gig posters framed at Total Crafts (all located in NoVa)….just dropped a few off there, in fact. They do a really nice job and you can't beat the price. Every time I drop stuff off, they're having a 50% off of custom framing sale (at least at the annandale location) - they seem to have much better prices/sales than at Michael's.

Nice call twangirl. The owners of Frame Mart Gallery are family friends and my family & I have been going there for years. With over 30+ years of experience, you can expect high quality workmanship.

Originally posted by twangirl:
I get all my posters framed at Frame Mart Gallery in Cleveland Park, across from the Uptown. It's a small family-owned shop that's been there for decades. They're not cheap, but they do a fantastic job. They've done about 8 or 9 posters for me so far and I wouldn't think of going anywhere else. If you go there ask for Chris, he's real good at coming up with unique framing ideas that enhance the artwork on the poster.

Originally posted by pollard:

Originally posted by chimbly sweep:

I got my Wilco poster framed at a place next to Bedrock Billiards on Columbia Road and they did a great job.

how much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking?

The place is called Gary Taylor Fine Art & Framing.
$150 incl. frame and mat. The guy has been there forever, and his son helps him out. He was super friendly.

Funny story, actually… they usually ask for 50%+ up front, but I got to the store, opened my bag, and saw my wallet was missing. Woah. It had been stolen, and I realized it after spending 15 minutes looking at his frame recommendations. It sucked. So he took 0% down. What a nice guy!

There is a place called AC Moore Crafts. They are a lot like Michael's, but the prices are a hell of a lot better. I know there is one in Glen Burnie, MD that I normally drive to, in order to get things framed, but I'm sure that they have a website so that you can check locations. Normally they run specials like if you get 3 or more things framed, you get 50-60% off the entire order. I got 12 things framed last summer, one of which was so large they had to special order non-glare plexi for because they didn't make glass that big due to weight problems, and it ended up costing around $700. And they were just about all custom sizes, not redi-mades. Out of all of the places I've gotten things framed before, I've had the best experience with them.

Hope I'm not too late Bags, I was out last week! Definitely go to Image Impact in Rockville and nowhere else. They are the pros. For concert posters, consider either matte lamination over a dry-mount, or a box-mount, instead of framing; it looks more appropriate for a poster than using a frame. This is the only place around here that does it themselves instead of shipping it out.

Originally posted by edbert:
For concert posters, consider either matte lamination over a dry-mount, or a box-mount, instead of framing; it looks more appropriate for a poster than using a frame.

Man…I couldn't disagree more (as long as your not just talking about handbill type things).

Good concert posters can end up looking just like a fine piece of art…in my opinion. Also - if you're a true collector - dry mounting really diminishes their value .
Check these out:
Customers show off their purchases

My purchase this week:
<img src="http://theshameofrockandroll.com/johnharris/jhradiohead.jpg" alt=" - " />

That's beautiful, grotty. A couple of my posters are on really good paper and are definitely for framing, not just dry mounting. And I'd like them all to look the same, so I'm going for black, deep wood frames. I'm going to have quite a few, so I want them to look finished – this is the art I'm going with… It's a quandary 'cuz when you have a bunch, it's so much cashola. I think I'm gonna have to go with American Frame or a self-framing place down on the Hill.

I've used to go to Total Crafts, then Michael's for my parts (I put everything together myself. Had the glass cut by them. Yeah, I had a couple odd jobs back in the day.) Anyhow, never had a problem with either one. I'd say I prefer Michael's now. If I am thinking of the same place in Fx, they are pricey. I will say this - pay extra for archive-safe products - however you choose to frame and whatever products you use. I tend to go toward using anti-glare glass too.
If I find the framer I used to use online when I worked at a gallery I'll let you know. All in all framing is expensive so, go for quality. Twangirl's place sounds good.

Not sure if they have the same store there but if you can find a Ben Franklin store they do very high quality framing and at least once a year they run a 50% sale. The use museum quality materials (acid free paper etc).