{"id":348,"date":"2018-12-14T15:11:27","date_gmt":"2018-12-14T20:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/blog\/?p=348"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:17:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:17:17","slug":"store-bought-picture-frames-vs-online-picture-frames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/store-bought-picture-frames-vs-online-picture-frames\/","title":{"rendered":"Store-Bought Picture Frames VS. Online Custom Picture Frames"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Store
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Store-Bought Picture Frames VS. Online Custom Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you were having trouble seeing and needed some glasses, would you rather go to an eye doctor to get a prescription specific to your eyesight, or grab a pair of stock “cheater”\/reader glasses from the drugstore?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, the store-bought readers will cost less and might help you to see a bit better, but prescription glasses measured to your eyes specifically will surely be a better, more perfect fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So just like the eyeglass frames you wear on your face, the picture frames you put your precious art and photos into are best when custom-made.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a standard-sized photo, purchasing something like an 8\u201d X 10\u201d frame from your local arts and crafts or hobby shop might fully suit your needs, but pre-built, standard-sized frames that you buy off a shelf lack that custom, personal touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the seemingly lower monetary cost \u2014 and instant gratification \u2014 might seem attractive, sometimes you get what you pay for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the good news is, much like Warby Parker revolutionized the eyeglass frame industry<\/a>, picture frames are following suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cost of Online Picture Frames vs. Store-Bought Frames<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Store
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While the common assumption that store-bought picture frames will be astronomically less expensive than custom frames online, the cost for online picture frames and store-bought picture frames is actually fairly comparable when we\u2019re talking about smaller, standard-sized frames made with higher-quality materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, an 8\u201d x 10\u201d frame from our own site with a “Derby” style frame costs around $20<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn’t too much more than what you\u2019d pay in some \u201cbig box\u201d stores<\/a>, although cost can certainly fluctuate depending on many factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also hard to compare custom-made frames to store-bought frames in terms of cost as it’s not exactly apples to apples from a material standpoint. Cheap picture frames are typically just that \u2014 cheaper in a monetary sense, but also cheaper in quality<\/strong>.  (This is definitely a consideration when looking to preserve special memories long-term.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, standard-sized frames bought in a brick-and-mortar store are often made with lesser-quality materials to make up for the overhead a physical store has to account for, whereas online retailers can usually invest overhead savings into a higher-quality material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no denying you can probably find a good deal on stock, standard-sized frames, but what is the true cost over time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This illustrates how there are more considerations in deciding which kind of frame is best for you other than cost alone, as pricing for picture frames is based on many factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems with Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Store-Bought Picture Frames Only Come In Standard Sizes <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the description \u201cstandard-sized\u201d suggests, store-bought picture frames usually don\u2019t come in odd sizes. Rather, they almost always come in basic photo sizes– 8\u201d X 10\u201d,  11\u201d X 17\u201d, 24\u201d X 36\u201d, etc., meaning you’re limited in what art you can frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, you might have to add decorative backing to accommodate a frame that is too large or even trim down your art to fit a frame that might be too small.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With custom framers you can have a frame made to the exact measurements of your art, ensuring a perfect fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Store-Bought Picture Frames Feel Less Personal <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Store-Bought
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most discouraging issue of buying a store-bought picture frame is the lack of personalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With custom framing, every item is cut and assembled according to your specifications, so even if you wanted a standard-sized frame, you can still pick what color and style you wanted (including matting) by going custom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With store-bought frames, you get what\u2019s on the shelf, and not much else.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is less of a technical or quality choice, and more aesthetic, but when buying any product having a variety of choices often adds an extra special touch.   
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Store-Bought Picture Frames Can Have Acidic Backing<\/strong>
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\"Store-Bought
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some people might write the backing off as an unimportant part of the frame \u2014 it\u2019s the back, after all, and most are concerned with how a frame looks from the front. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While aesthetic concerns are valid and should be on your mind when buying & hanging a frame, the backing is something very important to consider when preserving a piece of art long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If backing is not acid-free, that means it will not actively combat the corrosive chemicals found in most prints and pieces of artwork. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many store-bought frames use cardboard-like materials in their frames (acidic), which makes it likely that your art would corrode over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An acid-free backing is always preferable when it comes to maintaining the integrity of your art long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83c\udfeb Learn More: Learn more about the difference between acidic and acid-free framing materials!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Corners of Store-Bought Picture Frames Aren\u2019t Always Lined Up Properly <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Store-Bought
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Custom framers put maximum care in each frame they make, ensuring such details are tailored to the customer, and that the product arrives at your door in the best condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store-bought frames are often mass-produced overseas<\/strong>, it was made with no buyer in mind, just to sit on a shelf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is often visible in the finishing of the frame corners, which can often be misaligned when it comes to store-bought frames. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quality standards in custom frame shops are higher, and they require a thorough corner molding process that ensures cracks won\u2019t occur.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granted, any frame is at risk of damage\/misalignment when being shipped, but any issues with a custom-made frame<\/a> should be the exception, not the standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. The Materials of Store Bought Picture Frames Can Be Subpar <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Store-Bought
Store-Bought Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Frame
Frame It Easy Picture Frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This can be a subjective topic. We\u2019ve covered in other posts\u2014 particularly our wood vs. metal picture frame post<\/a>\u2014 about how some materials are quite rare and expensive, but when it comes to an average consumer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately it all comes down to your willingness to spend money on a project, but in most cases, there has to be a compromise between affordability and aesthetic quality \u2014 you have to find a source that uses affordable, but high-quality materials. (Often not the case with “stock” picture frames.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With store-bought frames, the wrapping material on some wood frames can have creases and is thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you might even have issues discerning what material the frame is made of and may have to assume it\u2019s plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe the rails will snap in half with the slightest amount of pressure and turn to dust by simply pressing the frame rail against a flat surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being made with subpar materials, store-bought frames can also be unattractive \u2014 blemishes and scratches on the frame can cause them to look cheap or damaged.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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