E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Picture framing is an art form in and of itself! It goes far beyond woodworking and mitering a few pieces of material together.

Look at it this way. You put a lot of effort into your photography. Of course, not every image you make is a "wall-hanger" but if you want to display your best work effectively, the final presentation is important. I poorly designed and crafted framing job can distract from an otherwise good image.

In my photography business, I have offered custom framing for many decades. Of course, it is good business in that it makes for important add-on sales but more importantly, for me, is that my work that's intended for home or corporate display, is well presented.

I don't mean to say that effective and unique frames can not be improvised from untraditional materials or form frames or parts found in second-hand shops. I have made frames from plumbing pipe, barnwood, and all sorts of strange stuff as well as fine moldings.

Someof the folk on this forum speak of "fine art" photography. Fine art deserves unique, compatible, and well-coordinated display methods.

Consider some of these concepts. Base your selection of framing techniques and materials based on them on the image, picking up or bringing out certain colors or tones in the image, and also factoring in the style and environment whereit is going to hang.

There are so many creative methods, styles, and materials with which to craft stylized, unique, and protective frames. Besides the traditional rectangular or square format, there are many voters to consider. There are round, oval, hexagonal, and spandrels- those are rectangular fram with oval or round openings made of the same material. You can use traditional or compound mattes, or carved mattes. There are floating frames, styles with corner ornamentation, hand-carved moldings, and modern styles in metals. There are also compound frames made of multiple moldings and other materials such as cloth liners.

The thereare frameless frames, which are methods utilizing stretched canvas on wooden bars that are edge-pained and finished, lamination on wood, mounted on various s thicknesses of foam-like materials, and more.

For image protection and preservation there are many archival materials methods. There are lacquers, various kidsof non-glare, and conservatory glass, special adhesives, hinges, and dry mounting materials.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

Very Nice Farm Boy I had a Woodworking shop for 40 years big equipment , and nice woodwork cabinets and stairs all wood . That frame is extra nice looks like a 3 piece glue up for each side from templates nice execution .

dick ranez

Just google framing supply near me or artist supply. valley frame is a great source in los angeles and they do do mail order. There must be someone near you. Ask a local frame shop where they get supplies.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Very cool. I presume you made each side out of 3 pieces, but if it’s cut from a single piece, I’d be interested in knowing the technique and tools involved. Either way, excellent work.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

I sold my wood shop about a year ago, so I have no router table or table saw anymore to do the rabbets, but I used to make frames out of a lot of different types of wood. Still have some of them, but I don't make prints anymore either, so I don't need them. If I was to decide to make a print now, I would probably give the business to a local shop.

Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY

I would highly recommend Vermont Hardwoods (www.vermonthardwoods.com) You can purchase lengths of moulding, or, order chops from them in many varieties of wood. Even if you don't order from them, their website is chock full of very useful information. To make your own frames, you must be able to do at least two things: cut accurate 45 degree angles and cut repeatable lengths when you cut the angles - even a tiny difference in length will make it impossible to join the frame correctly. Good luck - it is very rewarding to look at a frame that you made to put your photgeraph in!

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

It also can be done on a large pattern shaper fitted with large bearing to follow the pattern the pattern or some call a slave board has hand made handles to hold on to while you move the pattern though the shaper . very scary procedure not for the faint of heart . I had such a shaper and did volutes and turn outs for stair rails and still have all my fingers . You only do that for real wood that is clear coated and want no glue up . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOTHhVjVYBw

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I'm glad I read further into the responses, because this is also mysuggestion.

rgproctor Loc: Central Florida

Try https://www.unitedmfrs.com/ they sell to professional picture framers. I've used them for years.

Wasabi

Try Smaller, local lumber company's or millwork specialists. The big boxes do not alway have a millwork section.

neillaubenthal

I make mine…but then I like simply rustic frames so for me it was just use an oak or whatever board ripped into 2 inch or so side strips then routed on one edge to provide inset for glass and/or backing. Stained dark brown and then cut to length and glue/assemble.