Our Services

The primary responsibility of the picture framer is to preserve and enhance your work of art. The goal of the picture framer is that these works of art will be protected from damage for as long as possible, and that the framing process will be reversible so that the works of art can be restored to the same condition in which they were presented to the framer. In addition to this conservation responsibility, the framer must create an environment for the work of art which presents it in a visually interesting and pleasing manner. The Frame & I staff is trained in conservation framing practices and we use only the finest archival materials. Whether we are framing works of art on paper, paintings on canvas or other supports, or objects of value, we use careful conservation techniques for securing the artwork in a manner that is safe and completely reversible. We have many glazing options available to either reduce reflections and/or to protect artworks from ultraviolet light. Because of the danger of harsh lighting in Arizona, we recommend that you fight fading of your artwork with conservation quality glazing. Visit the Frame & I and our helpful, well trained staff will show you how to protect your artwork with the finest conservation materials available.

---

Take your treasured articles out of the drawer or box and let our skilled designers turn your jumble of memories into a story. Show off and preserve your special mementos in a shadowbox frame. Shadowboxes can be made to accommodate anything from mom’s wedding ring to a full size hockey stick, complete with the uniform! The staff at the Frame & I recommend shadow box frames and displays for all collectible items such as sport objects, collectors plates, diplomas and tassels, clothing, and other memorabilia. The idea of shadowbox framing is to create a tableau which both displays and preserves your treasured items. The objects remain in pristine condition, to be admired and enjoyed for years to come. Bring your treasures out of hiding, and enjoy them every day in a shadowbox frame made by The Frame & I!

---

We offer drymounting and wetmounting when a flat, ripple-free presentation is required, if conservation of the item isn’t an issue.

• Drymounting is a heat process using a dry adhesive and a mechanical heat press.
• Wetmounting is a cold process using spray adhesives or wet pastes and a vacuum press.

Some items should not be mounted, especially if they’re collectible, limited editions, signed, rare, or one-of-a-kind, so before permanently mounting an item give careful consideration to its value. We’d love to show you some examples of different types of mounting and help you to decide what’s best for your project!

Our highly trained staff can help you determine if mounting is appropriate.

---

Our artisan framers can enhance your mounted poster with hand painted brushstrokes, giving the look and texture of a real painting at a fraction of the cost! Not all items can be brushstroked, but many can! Just ask our helpful staff.

---

Bought a print on canvas, and it came to you rolled up? Have a painting that was shipped to you in a tube? We can stretch canvases onto stretcher bars so they can be displayed again! Some canvases can even be “Gallery Wrapped” so that they can be displayed without a frame. Let us help you decide the best way to stretch your giclee prints or originals.

---

We can repair damage to most frames. We can perform many different types of repairs including re-gluing, re-finishing, and re-construction. Ask our skilled staff for more details on techniques and hourly rates for repairs and restorations.

---

Do you have an unusual framed artwork that you need help hanging? Is it heavy or would you like it in a precise location? Call the Frame & I and ask for Russell to set up an appointment. Russell has five years experience hanging pictures and also had an internship at the University of Arizona Art Museum, assisting in exhibit displays. Rates vary depending on each situation. Russell would be glad to assist you with installing your picture, framed mirror, and any other art hanging projects you need help with at your home or office.

---

A mat is more than a pretty color! Traditionally matting serves a twofold purpose – the first, and most recognizable, is the visual effect. A properly designed mat can enhance and even improve the beauty of the artwork. The second (and less obvious) reason for matting is to preserve works of art or photographs on paper. A mat provides the proper depth for airspace between the artwork and the glazing. This is important because temperature shifts can cause moisture to condense on glass, which can then cause mold, fungus, rippling or sticking of framed items to the glass! A mat also serves the function of isolating the artwork from environmental contaminants that can leach in from the edge of the frame.

The best mat boards are cotton or high alpha cellulose, archival, lignin and acid-free boards. Don’t settle for inferior wood pulp (also known as paper) matboards! They can damage your art or collectibles by off gassing acid as they age, causing fading and yellowing. High quality matting provides the best support for framed objects by protecting and enhancing it. Not only will proper matting help to protect and preserve your art, it will set the mood for the finished piece.

Decorative Matting


• A double or triple mat is a beautiful way to accentuate your artwork. A mat can reflect your personal style with additional decoration, such as a v-groove, decorative corners or cut art, French lines, or hand painted panels or bevels. Our skilled designers have over fifty years of combined experience to customize a look that suits your unique project.

InLay Matting

• 
A mat can be designed with inlays of alternating mat colors for a beautiful, refined custom look. Reminiscent of marquetry and fine inlaid wood furnishings, an inlay mat can add sophistication to that special project.

French Matting

• 
Traditional French Matting incorporates watercolor or pastel panels painted on the mat and enhanced with hand-drawn ink lines. This classic look can really set off antique to contemporary items. We work with you to come up with the perfect French mat, hand crafted to enhance your object d’art.

Fabric Mats


• Fabric mats come in a multitude of colors and textures. Suede, linen, leather, cotton or silk – we have a fabric to suit your particular style and taste. Some mats come pre-covered with fabric, while others are hand-wrapped with fabric from the bolt. Let us custom tailor a look for you.
  

  ---

One of the most common misconceptions in framing today is that picture framing glass is the
 same as any other window glass. While they may occasionally look the same, there are some
major differences to consider, such as reflectiveness, clarity, weight, and UV protection.

Some qualities common to all picture framing glass, regardless of finish, are:

• It is thinner than window glass, which makes it lighter. This is so that the completed picture frame is not excessively heavy.
• It is pre-cleaned from the factory, so there is no powdery residue on it.
• Picture glass is checked for flaws, such as scratches, roller marks, inclusions, and bubbles. Glass that doesn’t meet our exacting standards will not be used for picture framing.
• It is iron reduced, so it doesn’t look as green as plain window glass.

Now for the different types of finishes!

• Regular: A clear glass, which is not treated to block ultraviolet light. Regular glass does reflect more than any other, which gives it a mirror-like appearance in some settings. Naturally filters about 45% of UV light
• Non-glare: An etched glass, not treated to block ultraviolet light. Non-glare glass doesn’t reflect like regular glass, but because of the etching can mute colors and blur detail if there is too much space between it and the art it covers. Naturally filters about 45% of UV light.
• Anti-reflective (or A/R): A clear glass which has been coated with an anti-reflective, “invisible” coating. This glass is the clearest and the least reflective of the three – it can even look as if there isn’t any glass in the frame! Not treated to block ultraviolet light, it still naturally filters about 75% of UV light.

All three of these finishes are also available in ultraviolet filtering types. These are coated on one side with a film that blocks 98% of harmful UV rays. The different types are, respectively:

• Conservation Clear: Similar in appearance to Regular glass, this is a clear glass with a special coating on one side designed to filter 98% of harmful UV light. This is the most economic choice, while still maintaining conservation quality.
• Conservation Non-glare: Similar in appearance to Non-glare glass, this is an etched glass with a special coating on one side designed to filter 98% of harmful UV light. Non-glare finishes appear softly etched and muted. Good where reflection control is necessary, and a diffused appearance is desirable, non-glare glass isn’t appropriate for frames with substantial depth.
• Museum: When nothing but the best will do, Museum glass is anti-reflective and filters 98% of harmful UV light. This glass is the clearest and least reflective glass we offer. It is “water white”, meaning that the iron has been reduced to eliminate the greenish cast from other types of glass. Beautiful!

Acrylic: We use acrylic in framing when a shatter-proof glazing is called for. It also is lighter than any type of glass, so if weight is a concern, acrylic glazing is the appropriate choice. We only use the best grade of acrylic in our framing applications. It has the appearance of glass, is non-yellowing, and doesn’t scratch easily. Available in Regular, Non-Glare, and Anti-reflective finishes.

Glazing as a part of Conservation Framing: If the item you are framing has sentimental or monetary value of any kind, or if you just don’t want to see it fade over time, we strongly recommend using conservation glass as a part of its preservation! Along with proper matting, backing, and handling, UV filtering glass is integral to the longevity of your framed artwork, heirloom or collectible.

In addition to mounting we offer surface lamination. In this process we heat apply a laminate onto the surface of a foamcore mounted poster. Our laminates can impart either a luster or linen finish to the mounted item, and gives it a durable protective coating which eliminates the need for glass. Surface laminates are a great option when glass isn’t desirable.

---

You put a lot of care and hours into your needlework. It deserves to be framed beautifully for all to enjoy, and a well-framed needlepoint starts with the stretching of the fabric itself. We stretch your needlework over acid free foam core board, lined with cotton rag mat board, and pinned into place. If desired we can lace your needlework as well. Either method helps to flatten the needlework in preparation for matting and/or framing. Proper stretching can be done without having to use chemicals or irons to flatten the work, and should be completely reversible so the needlepoint is not harmed by the stretching technique.

The Frame & I offers a wide selection of ready-made frames, including elegant gold leaf frames, ornate silver frames, sleek black frames, a rainbow of different color frames, and rustic frames from western to barnwood. You will find tiny frames, photo frames, canvas frames and large frames. Since we make many of our ready-made frames in our store, you will also find fine custom moulding made into ready-made frames in standard sizes and priced very economically. Let our creative staff help you select the perfect frame for your artwork.

Readymade frames are available in the following sizes…
●5×7 ●8×10 ●9×12 ●11×14 ●12×14 ●14×18 ●16×20 ●18×24 ●20×24 ●22×28 ●24×30 ●24×36