Why do they do this??!!!

[Handy]

There is a store in the city (or should I say there WAS a store in the city??) that does beautiful framing. They do the style of frames where the matting is painted with that chalky paint, and the frames are hand gilded with the decorative corners, etc. ( I know there is a name for this style - but I can't think of it)

This same shop was also a needlework store. So many people took their needlework there for framing to get that "special look".

EVERY single one of these that people have brought in (for cleaning, etc) have been a complete mess inside!!

They use paper mats (but you can't tell because the bevels are painted) they GLUE or STAPLE the work to the board, then they use that big wide brown packing tape to hold it in place!!

It just really ticks me off because people spend so much time on their needlework, and if you are going to get it framed in a style like that it pretty much means that you want it to be around forever - such as a family heirloom. They pay a lot for this framing. THis store has such a good "reputation" amongst stitchers!!

What gets me is this - these frames must be a lot of work to produce - and a lot of skill! But then to cheapen the whole thing by cutting corners inside the package SO undermines the work you are doing!

I just don't get it. We had one in this week that is only 7 years old - no excuses of how old it is and they didnt know better....... THankfully they are closed down and can't destroy any one else's stuff - I think they closed because they divorced or something like that.

 

[RoboFramer]

Sandra,

It's called 'Out of sight, out of mind'

Most customers first, or only thoughts are on presentation. The world's worst framers think the same.

The world's best framers have their true colours hidden out of sight and out of mind.

So do the worst, the customer only finds out which is the case the hard way.

Some framers seem to go to a lot of trouble to do a botch job. Lacing is easy, conservation quality is no big deal these days, so in answer to your question - God knows!

 

[Cliff Wilson]

Sandra, I oepned up a bunch of needleart done much like you described. The framer explained to me that that was how they were taught and they had no reason to believe it wasn't proper.

At one point in time I have been told, that was the norm. If you (the generic you) don't attend classes, read regularly, and stay up on the state-of-the-art, you don't know any better and think you're doing the right hting.

I have a framer here in town -- 20+ yrs in the business, bachelor of Fine arts ... dry mounts EVERYTHING! won't even talk about whether it's ok or not. I try not to bad mouth them, but explain to my customers that there are "new" techniques being invented all the time. Just make sure they understand that you didn't slather the glue on their precious piece.

 

[Jim Miller]

It could be that they simply did not know better. There are lots of framers who do dastardly things inside their frames for that reason.

I wouldn't say ignorance of framing methods & materials is a good excuse, but maybe it's a reason.

 

[FramerRandy]

Last week I took in a job to stretch & frame a needlework. The customer also brought in one that had been framed several years ago at one of the local BBs. Outwardly it looked pretty good & probably cost quite a bit. The inside was a disaster. Needlework had a few T pins & lots of tape holding it together.

 

[MarkyW]

On a somewhat related/somewhat unrelated matter: I just saw up at Sam's Club some framed limited edition prints. They had a sticker on them stating "acid free mats". They looked like regular paper mat to me with a cream bevel (which are buffered to a neutral ph, but not what I would call acid free).

A couple months ago a customer brought in one of these prints that they wanted a new frame to better match their decor. When I opened it up, I found the print was scotch taped to the mat and directly behind the print was corrugated cardboard!!! Paper mats, too, of course. I put a real acid free board behind it and hinged it for no charge and told the customer about it. I didn't change the mats for free though, but told the customer if they wanted them changed I could do that for them. Haven't heard anything from them about it.

 

[Jay H]

Somebody mentioned this in another thread but I'll bring it up here.

When I see a piece that I suspect might have some problems, I ask "Are you in a hurry? I would like to open this up and take a look at it while your here. I see all kinds of things in frames and would just like to have your here if there is any problems that need to be addressed." I have a few tools there at the design counter to pull these babies apart while the customer looks on.

This is a good time to show the customer exactly where the problem is without bad mouthing some other shop. You can just say, "See this? That is one of the dumbest antiquated idiotic ways to do this. We do it different."

Carry on.

 

[Handy]

We do that quite often too Jay - as a matter of fact - this last one was at a guild meeting and when we saw who framed it we suggested she bring it in for a check-up.

 

[Val]

I recently reframed a Thomas Kincade print for a woman who said she paid "a lot of money" for it. It had been shipped to her from a Kincade dealer and the frame was damaged enroute. A sticker on the back touted "This authentic Thomas Kincade print has been framed with all archival materials". It had thick mylar, not even plexi, for the glazing and was matted with paper mat (the core was already starting to turn) When I opened it up I was shocked to find it mounted down with masking tape, fitted with staples that went through the print, and backed with corrugated cardboard!

I called her to come and take a look and then reframed it properly. She kept the old materials and was talking about claiming damages, etc. Don't know if she ever did.

 

[imaluma]

Jay's got it right in my book. I ALWAYS unfit framed art at the design table. Most customers will say, "I don't need a new mat" but when you show them the dark line running around their print, they change their tune very quickly.

I had a customer very recently (who was actually an associate's customer) who was wanting to frame a family portrait matted and mounted by the photographer. The original designer who worked with this couple had placed a quote for them to frame as is, using museum glass. I explained to the customer that the mats were not acid free, were cut unevenly, dirty, and the mounting wasn't even correct. They obviously didn't mind paying top dollar for the museum glass, so why didn't my associate even try to sell new mats and mounting? They didn't even bat an eyelash at the extra $150. Thank goodness that order didn't go to the shop as is. I would have been so embarassed.