Another of the most frequent questions I am asked is- How much am I likely to pay to get my portrait framed?
I have contacted my local framer, and he has written a guide below which should help.
The price that you will pay for a bespoke picture frame depends on two factors:
1. MATERIALS AND OTHER ITEMS SPECIFIC TO THE JOB:
Charges specific to the job, ie cost of frame moulding, stretchers, boards, glass and fittings, plus any unusual charges that might be incurred to meet special requirements - such as higher delivery charges for an extra fast service from suppliers. When framing original art on paper it is recommended that there should be a front mount and undermount (both Conservation quality mountboard), plus glass and backing board. Generally, fairly narrow frame mouldings are used, not often exceeding one inch (25mm) in width. When framing an oil painting it should not be enclosed behind glass. An (uncommon) exception to this is where a high value painting is displayed in a public area where it may need toughened glass for protection. Normally an oil painting has a frame around it with hanging fittings and nothing else. Oil paintings tend to be framed in much larger and more expensive mouldi ngs of perhaps 2.0 - 2.5 inches in width or wider, even on small pictures.
2. TIME TAKEN TO MAKE THE FRAME.
To calculate this cost per hour, the total of annual overheads (rent, rates, electricity, telephone, depreciation etc.) and annual wages is divided by the number of productive hours per year. This gives you the hourly cost, which can be adjusted to find the cost of the actual time spent on a particular job. This can vary from £25 to £40 per hour depending on location and other factors. It is unfortunate that people who are not in business for themselves tend to overlook most of these costs and imagine that the "time charge" is just wages - whereas wages may be as little as £5 - £8 per hour. The time taken to make a frame varies depending on the type and size of frame. For example, it might take 45-50 minutes to make a complete 14 x 12in frame with mounts, glass etc. for a 10 x 8 sketch or drawing on paper, 70-75 minutes to make a 24 x 20in frame to the same specifications for 20 x 16 artwork, or around two hours for a si milar 35 x 25in frame (to suit 30 x 20 artwork). Larger frames always take longer. Smaller frames always seem disproptionately expensive - because, however small the frame one still has to do all the same jobs to complete it. When comparing prices it is essential to compare like with like - and there is no comparison between bespoke frames and the cheap. mass-produced imitations in so many shops.
PORTRAITS ON PAPER (drawings and sketches in pencil and coloured pencil).
In the price tables shown below for art on paper, the size of the painting is shown first, followed by the frame size in brackets, and then a reasonable average price for that frame.
10 x 8in. (14 x 12in.) £45.
12 x 10in. (16 x 14in.) £49.
16 x 12in. (20 x 16in.) £60
20 x 16in. (24 x 20in.) £79.
24 x 18in. (29 x 23in.) £100.
24 x 20in. (29 x 25in.) £106.
30 x 20in. (35 x 25in.) £120.
OIL PAINTINGS on board. Add 10% for paintings on canvas. The use of glass will require spacers or even a slip and will add a further 20-30% to the prices shown below.
10 x 8in. £25.
12 x 10in. £27.
16 x 12in. £32.
20 x 16in. £35.
24 x 18in. £38.
24 x 20in. £42.
30 x 20in. £48.
Please note that the above prices are a very rough guide only. Although they appear to indicate that larger frames always cost more, picture frame mouldings vary widely in cost and this is not always obviously proportional to their size or finish. Therefore, it happens frequently that a smaller frame in a more expensive moulding actually costs more than a frame in a different moulding but one or two sizes bigger.
The only way to arrive at an accurate price for framing a particular picture is to take the actual picture to the framer's shop (where you will be under no obligation) and find out which frames (etc.) suit it.
