My wife tells me it costs $130 for a 16x20" picture frame

Chuck Banshee · 2012-02-16T15:16:37+00:00

My wife is framing artwork and told me she will spend about $130 for a 16x20" wooden frame.Aghast, I asked for a breakdown. She replied:1. Frame = $602. Mat = $303. Glass/plexiglass = $15/$304. Picture backing = $105. Frame backing = $56. Assembly = free (she will do the work)Since she has actually done this quite a few times, I'm not disputing her figures (they must be correct, for her); but I can't but help believe that if I made the frame (with the right tools), it wouldn't cost me half of what she's planning on spending.Do any of you have experience building picture frames?I figure something like:FRAME: I'd uy pre-cut molding by the board foot (prices will vary);I'd pay the one-time charge for four L-clamps (I already have a chop saw);Glue, nails, brads, screws, wire (for hanging), eyehooks, etc, would be negligible.MAT:I would buy the uncut mat; I realize these are expensive (acid free and all that); but they're amazingly expensive for a lousy piece of paper!Then I'd buy a mat-cutting tool (one-time charge).GLASS/PLEXIGLASS:I'd buy the thinnest cheapest clearest stuff that works.To cut, I'd use a saw or knife or a cheap glass cutter on a flat table.PICTURE BACKING:Unless it needs to be acid resistant, I'd dig into my trash pile for a thin piece of cardboard. FRAME BACKING:I'd buy a cheap roll of plain brown wrapping paper to glue onto the entire back of the frame.Have any of you done this before?Can it possibly cost her $130 but cost me less than half that (amortizing the one-time tool costs).Any advice from the experienced?

Feb 16, 2012 24 Replies

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bob haller 14 years ago

frameshops minimal markup is 3 times cost. of course they have overhead

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The Daring Dufas 14 years ago

Is your wife using some sort of very expensive exotic wood for the frame? o_O

TDD

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krw 14 years ago

Yeah, at that price, pine. Framing is expensive. BTW, one of the best places I've found to have it done is at Hobby Lobby. They have great framing sales. Cheap on Sundays, too. ;-)

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Cliff Hartle 14 years ago

I guess you have never had anything framed.

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The Daring Dufas 14 years ago

Just myself, that's why I don't trust women. ^_^

TDD

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