Proper framing is essential for preserving and displaying fine art. These top 10 art framing and custom framing shops in the SF Bay Area offer expert craftsmanship, museum-quality materials, and creative design solutions.
Top 10 Art Framing and Custom Framing Shops in SF Bay Area
Proper framing is essential for preserving fine art and creating beautiful displays. The right frame protects your artwork, enhances its presentation, and complements your home decor. The San Francisco Bay Area is home to numerous expert framers offering museum-quality craftsmanship, archival materials, and creative design solutions. Here are the top 10 art framing and custom framing shops in the SF Bay Area.
Location: 2239 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (Castro) Website: underglassframing.com Established: Over 30 years Specialty: Museum-quality framing for fine art, photographs, and shadow boxes
Why it's top: Underglass Custom Picture Framing has been serving the Castro neighborhood for over three decades, specializing in museum-quality framing. The shop is known for its expertise in framing fine art, photographs, and shadow boxes, using archival materials and professional techniques. Their long-standing reputation and commitment to quality make them a trusted choice for serious collectors and artists.
What to expect: Expert consultation on framing options, museum-quality materials including acid-free mats and UV-protective glass, and creative design solutions. The shop offers a wide selection of frame styles and can handle everything from small photographs to large-scale artworks. The experienced staff provides personalized service and guidance throughout the framing process.
Best for: Serious collectors, artists, and anyone seeking museum-quality framing with expert guidance. Perfect for fine art photography and valuable artworks requiring archival preservation.
Location: 4310 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118 Website: artisansofsf.com Established: 1947 Specialty: Expert custom picture framing with top-quality workmanship
Why it's top: Artisans of San Francisco has been serving the Bay Area since 1947, making it one of the longest-running framing shops in the region. The shop offers expert custom picture framing with a focus on top-quality workmanship and creative designs. Their decades of experience and commitment to quality have made them a trusted name in Bay Area framing.
What to expect: Expert craftsmanship, creative design consultation, and a wide selection of frame styles and materials. The shop handles everything from traditional to contemporary framing, with attention to detail and quality. The experienced staff provides personalized service and can help you choose the perfect frame for your artwork.
Best for: Those seeking experienced, established framers with a long history of quality work. Perfect for both traditional and contemporary framing needs.
Location: 2500 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107 Website: frameson3rd.com Established: Over 15 years Specialty: Custom framing solutions for various budgets
Why it's top: Frames On 3rd has been serving the community for over 15 years, providing custom framing solutions tailored to various budgets. The shop offers quality framing services that are accessible to a wide range of customers, from first-time art buyers to experienced collectors. Their commitment to providing quality framing at different price points makes them a valuable resource.
What to expect: Custom framing solutions that work within your budget, quality craftsmanship, and helpful consultation. The shop offers a range of frame styles and materials, ensuring you can find options that fit both your aesthetic preferences and budget. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you make informed decisions about framing choices.
Best for: Those seeking quality framing at various price points, first-time art buyers, and anyone looking for accessible custom framing services. Perfect for finding quality framing solutions that fit your budget.
Location: 2100 Fifth St, Berkeley, CA 94710 Website: holtonframes.com Specialty: Handcrafted hardwood frames with extensive design catalog
Why it's top: Holton Studio Frame-Makers provides handcrafted hardwood frames with a vast catalog of designs, offering both custom and ready-made options. The shop combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities, creating frames that are both beautiful and functional. Their handcrafted approach ensures quality and attention to detail.
What to expect: Handcrafted hardwood frames, extensive design catalog, and both custom and ready-made options. The shop offers frames that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, ensuring your artwork is presented beautifully. The handcrafted approach means each frame receives individual attention and care.
Best for: Those seeking handcrafted frames, supporters of traditional craftsmanship, and anyone looking for unique frame designs. Perfect for artwork that deserves special, handcrafted framing.
Location: 494 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111 Website: jaxframes.com Specialty: Traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques
Why it's top: Jax Art & Frames combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, offering a range of styles from minimalistic to renaissance. The shop's ability to work in various styles makes it versatile for different types of artwork and aesthetic preferences. Their combination of traditional and modern approaches ensures quality framing for any artwork.
What to expect: Expert framing in various styles, from minimalistic contemporary to traditional renaissance-inspired designs. The shop combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, ensuring quality work regardless of style. The staff can help you choose the right style for your artwork and home decor.
Best for: Those seeking versatile framing options, artwork requiring different style approaches, and anyone looking for expert framing in various aesthetic styles. Perfect for matching frames to different types of artwork and decor styles.
Location: 1710A Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Website: bobscustomframing.com Established: Nearly a decade Specialty: Framing for photography, paintings, and memorabilia
Why it's top: Bob's Custom Framing has nearly a decade of experience handling a variety of framing projects, including photography, paintings, and memorabilia. The shop's versatility in handling different types of artwork makes it a valuable resource for various framing needs. Their experience and range of services ensure quality framing for diverse projects.
What to expect: Expert framing for photography, paintings, and memorabilia, with experience handling various types of artwork. The shop offers quality craftsmanship and can help you choose appropriate framing for different types of pieces. The staff provides helpful consultation throughout the framing process.
Best for: Those with diverse framing needs, photography collectors, and anyone seeking experienced framers who handle various types of artwork. Perfect for framing different types of artwork in one place.
Location: 3646 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 Website: galleriascola.com Specialty: Museum-quality framing, conservation framing, and art restoration
Why it's top: Galleria Scola offers personalized design consultations and a range of services including museum-quality framing, conservation framing, canvas stretching, and art restoration. All work is done in-house to ensure the safety and quality of your artwork. The shop's comprehensive services make it a one-stop solution for framing and art care needs.
What to expect: Personalized design consultations, museum-quality framing, conservation framing services, canvas stretching, and art restoration. All work is completed in-house, ensuring quality control and the safety of your artwork. The shop provides comprehensive services for both framing and art care.
Best for: Those seeking comprehensive art services, serious collectors needing conservation framing, and anyone requiring art restoration services. Perfect for artwork requiring specialized care and conservation.
Location: 1545 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707 Website: nielsenarts.com Established: Over 60 years Specialty: Quality custom framing with in-home consultations
Why it's top: Nielsen Arts has been serving the East Bay for over sixty years, providing quality custom framing at competitive prices in a relaxed, friendly environment. The shop offers in-home design consultations, pickup and delivery of art, and installation at your home or business. Their comprehensive service and long-standing reputation make them a trusted choice.
What to expect: Quality custom framing at competitive prices, in-home design consultations, pickup and delivery services, and installation services. The shop provides a relaxed, friendly environment and comprehensive service that makes framing convenient. Their long experience ensures quality workmanship.
Best for: East Bay residents, those seeking convenient in-home services, and anyone looking for quality framing with comprehensive service. Perfect for those who want the convenience of in-home consultation and installation.
Location: 2142 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 Website: frame-store.com Established: Over two decades Specialty: Museum-quality preservation framing, woman-owned business
Why it's top: FRAME is a small, woman-owned custom frame shop with over two decades of experience, offering services such as museum-quality preservation framing, custom mats, plexi-boxes, shadow boxes, and canvas stretching. The shop's focus on preservation framing and comprehensive services makes it valuable for serious collectors and artists.
What to expect: Museum-quality preservation framing, custom mats, plexi-boxes, shadow boxes, and canvas stretching services. The shop emphasizes preservation and archival quality, ensuring your artwork is properly protected. The woman-owned business provides personalized service and expertise.
Best for: Those seeking preservation-focused framing, supporters of women-owned businesses, and anyone needing specialized framing services like shadow boxes. Perfect for artwork requiring preservation-quality framing.
Location: 934 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (Mission District) Website: backtothepicture.com Established: 1985 Specialty: Museum-quality custom framing with gallery space
Why it's top: Back To the Picture is a family-owned business founded in 1985, specializing in museum-quality custom framing with personal service and expert care. The shop also has a gallery space showcasing local, national, and international artists, creating a unique combination of framing services and art gallery. Their long-standing reputation and gallery connection make them valuable for both framing and art discovery.
What to expect: Museum-quality custom framing with personal service, expert care, and a gallery space featuring local, national, and international artists. The shop combines framing expertise with art gallery experience, providing a unique perspective on art presentation. The family-owned business offers personalized service and long-standing community connections.
Best for: Those seeking museum-quality framing with personal service, art enthusiasts interested in gallery connections, and supporters of family-owned businesses. Perfect for combining framing services with art discovery.
Minimalist: Thin, simple frames that don't compete with artwork. Perfect for contemporary art and photography.
Traditional: Classic wood frames with decorative elements. Ideal for traditional artwork and formal settings.
Floating Frames: Frames that create space between the artwork and the frame, giving artwork a floating appearance.
Gallery Frames: Simple, elegant frames designed to showcase artwork without distraction.
Custom Designs: Unique frames designed specifically for your artwork and space.
Single Mat: One layer of matting, classic and timeless.
Double Mat: Two layers of matting, adding depth and visual interest.
No Mat: Modern, clean look without matting, often used with contemporary frames.
Colored Mats: Mats in colors that complement the artwork or room decor.
Neutral Mats: White, cream, or gray mats that don't compete with artwork.
Regular Glass: Standard glass, most economical option.
UV-Protective Glass: Protects artwork from UV light damage, essential for valuable pieces.
Non-Glare Glass: Reduces reflections, making artwork easier to view in various lighting conditions.
Museum Glass: Premium option combining UV protection and non-glare properties.
Acrylic Options: Lightweight alternatives to glass, available with UV protection and non-glare properties.
The Artwork: Bring the artwork you want framed, or accurate measurements if bringing it isn't possible.
Room Information: Photos or descriptions of where the artwork will be displayed can help framers make recommendations.
Budget Considerations: Have a budget in mind, but be open to framer recommendations that might enhance the presentation.
Timeline: Discuss your timeline, as custom framing can take time depending on the project complexity.
Materials: Ask about the materials being used, especially for valuable artwork. Ensure archival, acid-free materials are used.
Timeline: Understand how long the framing process will take.
Cost Breakdown: Ask for a cost breakdown to understand what you're paying for.
Warranty or Guarantee: Inquire about any warranties or guarantees on the framing work.
Care Instructions: Ask about how to care for and clean the framed artwork.
Proper framing is essential for preserving and displaying fine art, and the San Francisco Bay Area offers numerous expert framers who can help you create beautiful, protective frames for your artwork. From museum-quality framers like Underglass Custom Picture Framing to sustainable options like Eco Framing, these top 10 framing shops provide quality craftsmanship, expert guidance, and creative design solutions.
From established shops like Artisans of San Francisco with over 75 years of experience to innovative services offering sustainable framing options, these framing shops demonstrate the Bay Area's commitment to quality craftsmanship and expert art presentation. Visit these shops to find the perfect framing solution for your artwork.
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