With the rise of picture framing kits and online tutorials, it is incredibly tempting to think that framing your own artwork or family photos is a quick weekend DIY project. A quick trip to a big box craft store might seem like the easiest way to get your piece on the wall. But before you buy a mass-produced frame and attempt to mount that valuable print yourself, it is important to understand the stark differences between DIY framing and professional custom framing.
Here at The Picture Framing Group (also known as The Frame Shop), we see the results of DIY framing gone wrong on a weekly basis. Our owners Cole and Don Glassner, along with our entire team of expert framers, have spent years serving the Chicagoland area. We frequently find ourselves rescuing damaged artwork that could have been preserved beautifully from the very start. While taking the DIY route might seem like a money saver upfront, the long-term costs to your artwork and your wallet can be exceptionally high.
The Hidden Risks of DIY Framing
The primary issue with most off-the-shelf framing kits is the poor quality of the materials. Standard, low-cost frames utilize wood pulp paper for matting and basic, untreated glass. These inferior components actively work against the longevity of your art. Furthermore, assembling these components without professional training introduces severe risks to the items you are trying to proudly display in your home or office.
- Acid Damage: Non-archival mats contain lignin, which is an organic compound found in wood pulp that breaks down into acid over time. This acid literally burns the edges of your artwork, leaving irreversible brown scorch marks known in the industry as mat burn. Once this chemical reaction occurs, the structural integrity and the overall financial value of the piece are permanently compromised.
- Fading: Standard glass provides absolutely zero protection against ultraviolet light. If you hang a DIY frame in a sunlit room, you will start to notice the vibrant colors on your print or photograph fading away within a matter of months. Even indoor fluorescent lighting can accelerate this fading process, leaving your precious memories looking washed out, blue, and dull.
- The Struggle of the Mount: Getting an image perfectly aligned inside a mat is much harder than it looks to the untrained eye. DIY enthusiasts frequently resort to using standard masking tape, packing tape, or craft glue to hold the image in place. These common household adhesives are highly acidic and will permanently ruin the value of the piece. Additionally, improper mounting methods fail to account for humidity fluctuations. This is especially true during dramatic Chicago weather shifts, which causes the artwork to buckle, warp, and ripple inside the frame.
The Value of Professional Picture Framing Services
When you walk into a custom frame shop like The Picture Framing Group, you are paying for unmatched expertise, precision, and longevity. We do not just put pictures in frames; we preserve your personal history and elevate your interior design. Custom framing is an investment that protects your most cherished items for generations to come.
- Archival Protection: Professional framers exclusively use acid-free cotton rag mats and advanced UV-protective glass options. By utilizing museum-quality conservation materials, we ensure that a piece framed today will look exactly the same fifty years from now. The artwork is completely isolated from harmful environmental factors that cause premature aging.
- Precision Craftsmanship: Using cutting-edge tools like Computerized Mat Cutters, a professional framer can cut a mat to the exact millimeter needed for your specific piece. Furthermore, the joints on a custom-built frame are securely glued and v-nailed together by hand. This structural integrity means the frame will never warp, bow, or sag on your wall, regardless of its overall size and weight.
- Flawless Presentation: A professional ensures the glass is completely spotless, the artwork is perfectly flat and secure, and the entire assembly is completely flawless. We use reversible, conservation-safe hinges that hold the art gently without applying any damaging adhesives. Finally, the back of the frame is sealed with a durable dust cover to keep out moisture, dust, and insects, followed by the installation of heavy-duty hanging hardware suitable for your walls.
The Custom Design Experience
Beyond protection and preservation, professional picture framing offers a level of personalization that DIY kits simply cannot match. Store-bought frames come in standard, highly limited sizes. If your artwork is an unusual dimension, you are forced to improperly crop the image or accept awkward, uneven mat borders that distract from the art itself.
At The Frame Shop, our design experts guide you through thousands of frame molding options and mat colors to find the perfect complement to both the art and your home decor. Whether you need a sleek contemporary metal profile for a modern Chicago loft or a heavily ornate gilded frame for a traditional living room, we tailor the entire design to your exact aesthetic preferences. Our team takes the time to understand where the piece will hang, what the surrounding lighting looks like, and how the frame can best highlight the subject matter.
The True Cost of Preservation
Many people hesitate to invest in professional framing because they are focused solely on the initial price tag. However, replacing a ruined limited edition print or attempting to restore a damaged family heirloom will cost significantly more than framing it correctly the first time. Cheap frames often break, warp, or lose their finish after just a few years, requiring you to purchase replacements repeatedly. A custom frame built by our expert team is designed to last a lifetime, making it a much more cost-effective solution in the long run.
When you are framing something that truly matters, whether it is a cherished family portrait, a hard-earned university diploma, or a piece of original art, it is always best to skip the DIY kit. Investing in professional picture framing services guarantees that your piece will look completely flawless and remain fully protected for a lifetime.
If you are in the Chicagoland area and want to experience the highest standard of custom framing, visit Cole and Don Glassner and the dedicated team at The Picture Framing Group. We are ready to help you turn your most valued possessions into stunning, permanent displays that you can be proud to showcase in your home.
