{"id":11317,"date":"2022-01-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/?p=11317"},"modified":"2025-04-03T11:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T15:29:22","slug":"what-to-expect-when-you-order-a-custom-frame-from-frame-it-easy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/what-to-expect-when-you-order-a-custom-frame-from-frame-it-easy\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Expect When You Order A Custom Frame From Frame It Easy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You got your frame, and unless you ordered a print with it, you’re likely ready to insert the art you already have. Your framing journey is almost complete! That said, you might still have some questions, and while our support team<\/a> is always ready to address any of your concerns, we thought we’d tell you just how your frame is supposed to look when taking it out of the box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, let’s go over how the frame itself should look, by discussing some of our popular styles in depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Derby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Derby
Derby in Black Grain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Derby<\/a> is our most popular frame style; it’s a finger-jointed poplar wood frame<\/a>, with a decorative wood pattern wrap. This means that everything will be even and consistent throughout the frame. There will be no blemishes or quirks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dayton <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Dayton
Dayton in Cocoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dayton<\/a> is our second wood style. It has a similar thickness and appearance to our Derby, but there is one key difference: Dayton is natural wood<\/a>, meaning you will see the wood grain on the frame. Due to the natural features of this finished wood, the frame molding grain pattern may not be as consistently matched as our finger-jointed wood profiles. You can expect variations in grain patterns, courtesy of Mother Nature. We happen to think this is very cool because every Dayton wood frame will be unique in its own way! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granby <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Granby
Granby in Gold<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our final wood style! Our Granby<\/a> is a more ornate, gilded frame. This means that foil \u2014 either gold or silver, in our case \u2014 is placed over the frame and adhered to it, giving it a decorative finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanover and Ashford<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hanover
Hanover in Gloss Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our first, and most affordable, metal frame style, the Hanover<\/a> is a thin frame. It’s less than 1\/2″ thick when looking at it from straight ahead \u2014 making it perfect for posters or larger pieces where you want just the image itself to do all the work. Hanover is rounded in front, and the finish of the frame will vary depending on the color you get. If you get satin black, gold, or silver, you should expect a matte finish. If you get another color, such as glossy black or silver, you can expect a shinier appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ashford
Ashford in Gloss Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next is our Ashford<\/a> frame style. The reason for categorizing it with the Hanover is that it’s very similar, with the only real difference being that the Ashford has a flat front, and the Hanover has a rounded one. Everything else? Totally the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bradford and Stafford<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"silver
Bradford in Satin Silver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now for our final styles \u2014 the Bradford<\/a> and Stafford<\/a>. If you’re wondering why we’ve lumped two styles in with each other, similar to the Ashford and the Hanover, it’s for the same reason. They’re very similar. Both are metal and have flat surfaces. They are also both very thick when you look at them from straight ahead. Our Bradford is 1″ thick when looking at it from straight ahead, and the Stafford is 1 1\/2″ thick \u2014 making it the thickest frame style we currently offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"metal
Stafford in Gloss Silver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for the finish? Your options are matte for satin, and shiny for gloss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Acrylic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Clear<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The acrylic is the window through which you view your art. But you might notice that it’s a little murky when you receive it. Don’t worry! This is by design, so, when you prepare it, it’ll be as clear as anything you’ve peered through in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you’ll have to get the film off first. It’s a pretty simple process, and you can see what that’s like in this video<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might notice, though, writing on the acrylic. That’s normal! It’s just something to let you know that there’s film on it, and it’s meant to be removed. In addition, if you ordered a non-glare<\/a> acrylic cover, you might notice your frame looks… blue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t worry! This is also just the film. Remove that as well, and your frame will be all set for hanging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Backing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not much to see here! If all goes according to plan \u2014 correct measurements, etc. \u2014 the backing shouldn’t be visible in the frame. That said, our acid-free foamcore backing is off-white and about 3\/16″ thick. You can expect it to be totally smooth upon receiving it, with no dents or quirks at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanging Hardware <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Picture<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You might not think too much about the back of your frame once you have it hanging up. But the hanging hardware<\/a> is very important, it is what keeps your frame hanging up after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main different types of wall-hanging mechanisms: sawtooth and wire hangers. The distinction can seem meaningless to some: Why would you put so much thought into a part of the frame that won\u2019t be visible once you hang it on the wall?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good question. But sometimes, it\u2019s the parts of the frame you don\u2019t see that make the biggest difference. Wire and sawtooth hangers can serve different functions, and which exactly is right for your project can depend on the size of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, here at Frame It Easy<\/a>, we make it, well, easy for you. We have a system that automatically dictates which type of hanger you get, and it all depends on the size and material of the frame. If you have a wood frame that\u2019s over 30\u2033 wide, you\u2019ll be getting sawtooth hangers. For everything else, the wire hanger should do the trick. But let’s dive deeper into the differences between the two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sawtooth Hangers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"sawtooth<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sawtooth hangers are less conventional in the hanging world. Indeed, most people expect wire on the back of their frame. And if they receive sawtooth hangers instead, they might have some questions. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here to help you out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame It Easy, we put sawtooth hangers on our wood frames of 30\u2033 in width or more. This is to prevent bowing. Sawtooth hangers have some benefits, too. On top of them being more preventative of bowing, you also won\u2019t have to adjust the frames to keep them level. Just make sure their corresponding wall buddies are aligned, and you should be all set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, wires have their benefits, too. Let\u2019s go over them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wire Hangers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Metal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is the more traditional hanger, often preferred by art galleries and the like. Art galleries prefer them because they leave fewer holes in the wall since you will only need one to hang the wire on. Wires are often dependent on how secure they are to their corresponding D-rings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame It Easy<\/a>, we test all framing hardware to be efficient and sturdy. This means that your hangers and rings that hold your wire should work great, so long as you assemble everything per the instructions sent with the frame! That said, we couldn\u2019t speak for any hardware that isn\u2019t directly from us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wire hangers also have the luxury of being easier to adjust. If you notice your frame isn\u2019t quite level, you won\u2019t have to worry about removing any nails from the wall, like you would with brackets. Instead, you would just need to move the wire along the hanger, until it\u2019s level. A wire is also slightly easier to set up, with fewer tools needed, so that\u2019s an advantage as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a big one, and we’ve saved the biggest for last for a few reasons. First, not everyone orders their frames with matting; it’s a totally optional decorative lining \u2014 and it’s not essential to whether a frame works or doesn’t from a functional standpoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, a good chunk of our customers get matting with their frames<\/a>, so it’s important to address this. In particular, we ship our matboards facing down. This provides extra protection in transit, to ensure the front-facing side of your mat is free of scuffs on arrival. So, when you first open your frames, you might be worried that your totally epic orange and blue matboard color is… all white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to worry! All you will need to do is flip your matboards around when you’re ready to add in your art<\/a> and put the frame back together! It’s as simple as that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custom Packaging <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"packaging\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame It Easy, we pride ourselves on striving to be\u00a0the most environmentally friendly picture-framing company<\/a> in the world. We use corrugated cardboard packaging that is precisely cut to each and every order, meaning that you won\u2019t receive a huge box for one small 5\u201dx7\u201d frame. This reduces waste and means we don\u2019t have to ship using bubble wrap (or even paper wrapping) to keep your frames safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what exactly is the anatomy of your frame\u2019s packaging? Well, let us give you the full tour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straps and Wing Trays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Wing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most people ask us how we keep our frames secure when they\u2019re being shipped. Bubble wrap? Extra cardboard? Well, it\u2019s a bit of a multi-step process, but it all starts with the straps and wing trays. The latter is cut exactly to the frame\u2019s size (we mentioned our packaging was custom, right?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are they called wing trays? Simple. Before we wrap them around your frame, they look like little pieces of cardboard with foldable, well, wings along their edges. Once they\u2019re folded around the frame, it creates a snug space for your frame to occupy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your order has multiple frames, each wing tray will have a pocket geared for that particular frame, but they\u2019ll all be the same size overall \u2014 meaning each wing tray will fit snugly in the package. For instance, if you order a 50\u2033 X 20\u2033 frame and a 5\u2033 X 7\u2033 in the same order, the latter\u2019s wing tray will have some extraneous cardboard attached to it, and the box itself will be cut around the largest frame. This guarantees little to no movement of the frames while shipping instead of adding an unnecessary amount of bubble wrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do the frames stay snug in the wing trays, though? That\u2019s by using the straps! We secure them around the frames tightly, and they\u2019re easily removable by finding the point where each end is joined, and then splitting that apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Outer Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Custom<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The box that your frames will be shipped in is custom-made as well! Your frames will fit snug in the box, so, as we mentioned, there will be no movement during the shipping process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where necessary, we also put tape around the edges of the box, as well as across the seams. It\u2019s clearly labeled \u201cFragile,\u201d too \u2014 to let the carriers know that they need to handle your frame with as much care as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Team That Cares <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our dream team is composed of over 30 artisans tasked with caring for each step of crafting your frame. From professionally printing your photos to cutting, assembling, and shipping your order, we work to ensure that a beautiful, ready-to-hang frame arrives at your door as fast as it can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you order from us, you are supporting a product created from Made in America materials by American workers. We encourage you to ask questions about or suggest improvements to any part of our process because at the end of the day we want to make it as easy as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making That First Impression <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame it Easy, we definitely want you to love your frame the second you see it. But we have to take precautions on our end to make sure you get your order completely intact and with no damage. As such, we have to dress it for a potentially long journey. Just remember the following, though, and you should be all set: <\/p>\n\n\n\n