A study once concluded that the number one reason people didn’t go to a custom framer was because they were anxious about the process. Here’s the deal: A) Bring in your art/print/photo/object B) we help you choose the perfect design within your budget C) Pay a deposit D) When done, you get to enjoy a custom crafted piece of “furniture for your walls” for generations!  Custom framing is here to preserve and display your piece of art, photograph, memory, etc…

#2 – MATERIALS MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

There’s a reason those store-bought frames cost under $10. For one thing, the glass is very cheap. I can sell you a relatively inexpensive piece of pro-grade glass that has great clarity and UV protection that will help protect your print/artwork.  I’m talking $10-$15. Oh, and have you seen Museum Glass yet? – it’s unbelievable!  We can also help you make sure the materials surrounding your art will not ultimately ruin it…wood, glues, sub-par mats, and other factors can destroy over time.

#3 – THE COST.

Average ticket for a custom frame in the US is $225.  Expect to pay at least $100 for a custom frame – this is a custom piece of work!  That being said, we love helping our customers make something work if it’s possible.  A common suggestion you hear from us is to bring us your frame you already have, and we can cut a custom mat for it, put some nice glass in it, and Voilà, you have a semi-custom frame on a budget!

#4 – THE COUPONS

Yes, we are aware of those weekly 50-60% off coupons from the big guys.  Truth is, chances are we can meet or beat that sale price…even at our normal pricing!  Give your local frame shop a chance to bid on your project before you decide to have a clerk frame your precious memories/art.

#5 – DESIGN & BUILD

Good design can make or break the look of your work.  Experience and resources of your frame shop make a huge difference in how your work will turn out.  It’s amazing when we start putting certain elements of the frame design together, how a piece can “gel” in a magnificent way.  Another thing most people don’t realize, is how complicated properly building a frame can be.  We are constantly on the phone with experts and consulting our resources because almost every item that needs to be framed needs to be treated differently.  A good framer can make the difference between your piece being preserved, or not, of being out of style in a few years, or timeless.

One more thing – most framers I know are not salespeople – but we are very passionate about preserving and displaying art and memories.  We have lots of knowledge to share!  To do things right, it will cost money and time, but for many of these things, it hurts our artist’s soul to not do it right because it is cost prohibitive.  We don’t want to sell you what you don’t need or want – but we love to present things that will make you really happy you had your piece custom framed.  Some examples of framer pet peeves?

• Single white mat and a black frame – if you are going go custom, let’s do it right! A double mat works wonders…wait till you see 3 mats, lifted mats, filets, and stacked moulding!
• Glass touching the art/photo – this is a BIG no-no!  If you have someone frame something that has no mat, and no spacers, RUN the other way!
• A tiny mat – in general, the more generous the mat, the better it looks!

Let us take care of you and your unique piece!  www.clearimagedarkroom.com

Traditionally, when you print or paint on canvas, you stretch it and staple the edges of the canvas to the side of the wood stretcher bar, and would cover that up with a frame.

The modern “Gallery Wrap” is nice because the image wraps around the edge of the stretcher bar, so you don’t need a frame – although you can “float” the gallery wrap in a “floater frame” if you want to.

So why come to us for a gallery wrap? Here’s our process:

Here’s the process:

First, we take your image of choice – you can email it to us, or bring it in.

If you don’t have a digital image, no problem. We can professionally scan any print, negative, or slide you bring us.

We then print your image on high quality canvas using incredibly vivid archival inks.

After letting your print rest, we then triple coat it using a special spray coating that makes your canvas water resistant, and protects from color fading and scratching.
In the photo world, these things are bullet proof!

After this, your print is then hand stretched on heavy duty pine artist’s stretcher bar and made ready for hanging!

3 Gallery Wraps on a wall look really great! (This is our studio)

Gallery Wrap Edge wraps around a thicker than normal stretcher bar.

Although Gallery Wraps don't really need to be framed, it doesn't mean that it won't look GREAT with any of our hundreds of profile choices!

A "Floating Frame" is a cool addition to a gallery wrap.

An example of a gallery wrap with a floating frame (in our portrait studio)

We are committed to being the best choice for senior portrait photography in Snohomish County – we are reasonably priced and we are REALLY proud of our photography and what we can offer you.  Mindy, our studio manager and portrait photographer, is a rock star.  Give her a call to talk about this very important photo session – 360.653.5005.

Not only is Mindy’s photography the best we’ve seen in the area  - but Clear Image also has it’s very own “Darkroom” that can do very cool stuff for the studio – think Metallic Papers, Wallet Albums, MTV style DVD videos, and Canvas Gallery Wraps.  We even make you your own “Preview Book” for you to take home with you to help you decide what you want!

Unlike the many local photographers in our area – we have a full service indoor studio, and we use professional lighting on location – why
compromise?

We never pressure you into sales, and we are committed to giving you a first class experience.  Please call Mindy at our studio @ 360.653.5005.  Or text us @ 360.474.7773, or email us for more information at info@clearimageportrait.com.  You can also see examples of our work, as well as a full price sheet on our studio website – www.clearimageportrait.com.

We hope to meet you soon!

Get Connected:
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We also have a wide variety of ready-made mats.  We can cut any opening size while you wait.  Photo Mats are a relatively inexpensive way to make a framed picture go from “blah” to “kazow!”