Have you ever held a beautiful print or a cherished photograph, only to feel a wave of anxiety at the thought of framing it? The fear of measuring incorrectly, choosing the wrong style, or getting lost in a complicated process is real. But what if you could order made to measure photo frames online with the same confidence and quality you’d expect from a trusted local artisan? What if the entire experience could be simple, inspiring, and result in a spectacular, professionally finished piece that perfectly complements your art?
This complete guide is designed to empower you. We are here to demystify the process, transforming what seems intimidating into an enjoyable act of creativity. We’ll walk you through every step, from measuring your artwork with pinpoint accuracy to confidently selecting the perfect combination of frame, mount, and glazing. Consider this your personal roadmap to designing a premium, bespoke frame that not only fits flawlessly but protects and elevates your piece, ensuring a beautiful result you’ll be proud to display.
Why Choose a Made to Measure Frame Over a Standard Size?
You’ve found the perfect piece of art—a stunning print, a cherished family photograph, or an original canvas that speaks to you. Now, it deserves a presentation that does it justice. While a standard-size frame might seem like a quick solution, the number one reason to opt for a custom-made frame is to achieve a flawless, seamless fit. A bespoke picture frame is designed not just to contain your art, but to complete it, transforming it from a simple image into a professionally curated masterpiece for your wall.
To see just how simple it is to get the perfect fit for your art, this short video explains the process:
With a made to measure frame, you eliminate the compromises. There are no awkward gaps between the mount and your art, and you never have to crop a precious image to force it into a standard size. This approach gives you greater creative control over the final look, with endless style combinations of mouldings, mount colours, and glazing to perfectly match your art and your decor. Furthermore, bespoke framing provides superior long-term protection, safeguarding your piece for years to come.
The Problem with Off-the-Shelf Frames
Mass-produced frames are built for convenience, not for character. This often leads to a series of frustrating compromises that detract from the beauty of your artwork. Common issues include:
- Limited Sizes: Finding a frame for non-standard art, vintage posters, or panoramic photos is nearly impossible, often resulting in an ill-fitting presentation.
- Quality of Materials: Off-the-shelf frames frequently use lower-grade wood or plastic and basic glazing that offers little to no UV protection.
- Poorly Proportioned Mounts: A standard mount can easily overwhelm a small piece or look lost around a larger one, throwing off the visual balance.
- A Generic Look: A ‘one-size-fits-all’ frame gives your unique art a generic appearance that lacks personal character and professional polish.
The Bespoke Advantage: A Worthwhile Investment
Choosing to order made to measure photo frames online is an investment in your art and your home. Each frame is crafted with precision to complement your specific piece, becoming an integral part of its story. By using premium, conservation-grade materials, we ensure your artwork is protected from fading and environmental damage. This level of bespoke craftsmanship adds significant value and visual impact, turning your walls into a truly personal gallery that reflects your unique style.
How to Measure Your Artwork for a Perfect Frame: A 3-Step Guide
Getting the measurements right is the single most important step in creating your perfect frame, but don’t worry—we’ve made the process simple and foolproof. Before you begin ordering your made to measure photo frames online, grab these simple tools: a quality tape measure, a piece of paper, and a pencil.
Remember two golden rules. First, always measure the artwork itself, never an old frame it might have been in. Second, measure twice to be absolutely certain! The dimensions you provide will be the exact size of the frame’s opening, so precision is the key to a beautiful, professional result.
Step 1: Measure Your Artwork’s Exact Dimensions
Carefully lay your artwork on a clean, flat surface to avoid any creases or damage. Using your tape measure, find the exact width and height. For the best precision, we recommend measuring in millimetres (mm). If your artwork isn’t perfectly square or rectangular, simply take two measurements for both the width and height and use the smaller of each. Jot these down clearly, for example: Width (W) = 210mm, Height (H) = 297mm.
Step 2: Decide if You Need a Picture Mount
A picture mount is the elegant border that sits between your artwork and the frame. It does more than just look good; it creates visual ‘breathing space’, drawing the eye towards the art. Crucially, it also serves a vital preservation function by keeping your artwork from making direct contact with the glazing. For more expert advice on this, the Canadian Conservation Institute’s guide to framing is an excellent professional resource. When you add a mount, you only need to give us your exact artwork size. We handle the rest, cutting the mount window slightly smaller to neatly overlap the art and hold it in place.
Step 3: Understanding Frame Overlap (The ‘Rabbet’)
Every frame has an inner lip that holds your artwork, mount, and glazing securely in place. This is called the ‘rabbet’. Because of this, a small portion of your artwork’s outer edge (typically around 5mm) will be neatly covered by the frame. It’s important to check that no crucial details, like an artist’s signature or date, are located right at the very edge of your piece. This overlap is a standard part of professional framing craftsmanship, ensuring everything is held together snugly and securely for a perfect, lasting finish.
Designing Your Frame: Choosing Mouldings, Mounts, and Glazing
Ordering made to measure photo frames online means you get to control every detail. Beyond just the right size, this is your opportunity to create a beautiful finish that complements your art perfectly. Think of the frame as the bridge between your artwork and your room’s decor. To get it right, consider the style of the piece, its dominant colours, and the aesthetic of the space where it will hang. Our online visualiser helps you see every choice come to life, ensuring a perfect result.
Selecting the Right Frame Moulding
The moulding is the body of the frame, and its style, colour, and width set the overall tone for the finished piece. We offer a premium selection to suit any artwork.
- Wood Finishes: From rich oak to light pine, wood offers a classic, warm feel that is versatile enough for both traditional and modern art.
- Black, White & Grey Frames: These contemporary choices provide a clean, gallery-style look that creates a stunning contrast and allows the artwork itself to be the hero.
- Ornate & Metallic Frames: Gold, silver, and decorative mouldings are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to traditional paintings or creating a bold statement piece.
- Profile Width: As a rule, a slim profile complements delicate prints and photographs, while a wider profile adds presence and impact to larger or bolder artwork.
Choosing Your Picture Mount
A picture mount (or mat) creates a visual ‘breathing space’ between the art and the frame, drawing the eye inward and protecting the artwork from touching the glazing.
- Single vs. Double Mount: A single mount offers a clean, classic look. A double mount, with a second layer of colour subtly visible, adds exceptional depth and a premium, luxurious finish.
- Mount Colour: While off-white is a timeless choice, a carefully selected coloured mount can pick out and enhance a specific hue within your artwork for a truly bespoke look.
- Conservation Grade: We cannot stress this enough—always choose acid-free, conservation-grade mounts. This prevents the ‘browning’ and damage that acidic materials can cause over time, a professional standard supported by the Library of Congress guidelines for preservation framing.
Explore our full range of bespoke framing options to find the perfect combination for your art.
Understanding Glazing (The Glass)
Glazing protects your artwork from dust, moisture, and damage. We exclusively use high-quality acrylic (also known as Plexiglass) as it offers superior optical clarity and is shatter-resistant, ensuring your frame arrives safely.
- Standard Acrylic: Our premium acrylic is lightweight and optically pure, offering a crystal-clear view of your art without the risk of breakage associated with glass.
- Anti-Glare Acrylic: If your frame will hang in a brightly lit room or opposite a window, this option minimises distracting reflections for an unobstructed view from any angle.
- UV Protective Glazing: An essential choice for valuable prints, original art, or sentimental photographs. This specialist glazing blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays, preventing fading and preserving your piece for decades to come.
Placing Your Order Online and What Happens Next
You’ve explored the options and designed the perfect home for your artwork. The final step is bringing it to life. Our intuitive tool makes ordering your made to measure photo frames online a seamless and satisfying experience. Before you finalise your purchase, you’ll see a complete summary of your choices, allowing you to review the exact size, moulding style, mount colour, and glazing type. Once you confirm, your unique specifications are sent directly to our expert framers, who are ready to begin their craft in our Falkirk workshop.
We believe in true craftsmanship. We don’t just assemble pre-made parts; we meticulously craft each frame with the care and precision your artwork deserves, transforming your digital design into a beautiful, tangible piece for your home.
The Simple Online Ordering Process
Our bespoke frame builder is designed for clarity and ease, guiding you through each decision. In just a few clicks, you can create the perfect frame:
- Enter Your Dimensions: Start by inputting the exact width and height of your artwork. Our system will automatically calculate the final frame dimensions, including your chosen mount and moulding.
- Select Your Style: Browse our extensive collection of premium mouldings and acid-free mount boards to find the perfect combination that complements your piece.
- Choose Your Glazing: Pick from our range of high-quality glazing options, from standard acrylic to anti-reflective Artglass, to protect and enhance your artwork.
- Review and Checkout: Add your creation to the basket. You’ll have a final opportunity to review all specifications before proceeding to our secure checkout.
From Our Workshop to Your Wall
This is where our passion for framing truly shines. As soon as your order is received, our skilled team gets to work with a process honed by years of experience:
- Precision Cutting: Using state-of-the-art equipment, we cut your chosen moulding and mount board to your precise measurements, ensuring flawless accuracy.
- Expert Assembly: The frame corners are expertly joined and secured, creating a strong and seamless finish. Your selected glazing is cut to size and prepared for assembly.
- Final Quality Check: Every completed frame undergoes a rigorous quality inspection to ensure it meets our high standards of excellence before being prepared for dispatch.
- Secure Packaging: We use specialist, robust packaging to protect your frame during transit, ensuring it arrives at your door in perfect condition and ready to hang.
This dedication to quality ensures your bespoke frame is not just a border, but a lasting piece of craftsmanship that elevates your art. For inspiration on how a professionally crafted frame can transform a piece, take a look at our online gallery.
Your Masterpiece Deserves a Masterpiece Frame
As we’ve explored, choosing a bespoke frame transforms your cherished artwork from just a picture into a professionally presented centrepiece. The process is simpler than you might imagine; by following our guide to measuring and designing, you can confidently order made to measure photo frames online that are a perfect, seamless match for your art and your home’s décor. The right frame doesn’t just protect your piece; it enhances it, drawing the eye and completing the story.
With over 20 years of professional framing experience, our team is dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship. Every single frame is handcrafted with passion in our Falkirk, Scotland workshop, using only premium, conservation-quality materials to ensure your memories are beautifully preserved for years to come. We believe every piece of art deserves the perfect partner.
Ready to give your art the finish it deserves? Design your perfect made to measure frame online today. We can’t wait to help you create something truly special.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to receive my made to measure frame?
Each frame is a bespoke piece of craftsmanship, created just for you. Our skilled team typically takes 5-7 working days to build, assemble, and professionally finish your frame. Once it passes our quality checks, it is dispatched via a trusted UK courier, which usually takes an additional 2-3 working days. We are passionate about getting your beautiful frame to you safely and will keep you updated throughout the process, ensuring a seamless and reliable service from our workshop to your wall.
What if I make a mistake with my measurements?
We understand that mistakes can happen. We strongly advise double-checking your artwork dimensions before placing your order, as each frame is custom-built to your exact specifications and cannot be returned. However, if you realise you have made an error shortly after ordering, please contact our customer service team immediately. If we have not yet started production, we will do our absolute best to amend the order for you. Our goal is to ensure you receive the perfect frame.
Can you make frames for canvases or 3D objects like sports shirts?
Absolutely. While our online design tool is perfect for prints and photos, we offer specialist framing for more dimensional pieces. For canvases, we craft beautiful bespoke floater frames that create a stunning gallery-style effect. For 3D memorabilia like sports shirts or medals, we build custom box frames with the necessary depth to protect and display your treasured items perfectly. Please contact our friendly team directly for a consultation and a bespoke quote for these specialist framing services.
How much does made to measure framing cost compared to standard frames?
Bespoke framing is a premium service, so it naturally costs more than a standard, off-the-shelf frame. The price reflects the individual craftsmanship, high-quality materials cut to your precise dimensions, and the perfect finish you simply can’t get from a mass-produced product. Our tool for creating made to measure photo frames online provides an instant quote, with prices for smaller frames starting from around £25. The final cost depends on your choice of size, moulding, and glazing.
Is it safe to ship a custom frame with glass?
Yes, your frame’s safety is our top priority. We use specialist, robust packaging designed to protect fragile items during transit across the UK. For smaller frames, we use high-quality picture glass. For larger frames or for customers who prefer a safer, lighter option, we offer premium acrylic glazing. This material is shatter-resistant, lightweight, and has the same crystal-clear optical clarity as glass, ensuring your beautiful frame arrives in perfect condition, ready to display.
Do the frames come ready to hang on the wall?
Yes, every frame we create is delivered fully assembled and ready for your wall. We believe in providing a complete, hassle-free service. Your order will include the frame, your chosen glazing, a backing board, and all the necessary hanging fixings (such as D-rings and picture cord) already attached by our professional framers. All you need to do is put your artwork inside and place it on a hook. It’s the perfect, simple way to display your art beautifully.