When it matters — Frameworks Northwest

If you're looking for the fastest or least-expensive way to get something framed, there may be a better fit for you.

If you're looking for thoughtful design, professional craftsmanship, preservation-minded materials, and a framing studio that understands that sometimes the thing you're bringing through our door is much more than something to hang on a wall—we should talk.

Custom framing is personal. So is choosing the right framer.

Frameworks Northwest is a professional custom picture and art framing studio. Every project entrusted to us is individually considered, designed, measured, ordered, built and fitted here in our Port Townsend studio.

Our approach isn't necessarily right for everyone—and that's okay. We'd rather be clear about how we work before you entrust something important to us.

And “the right fit” isn't about how much your artwork is worth or how much you plan to spend. We frame everything from treasured family photographs and children's artwork to original fine art, textiles and important collections. What matters to us is helping you find an appropriate solution for the piece you care about.

You value thoughtful design.

• We design around the artwork or object—not around how quickly we can move it through the shop.
• Sometimes the right solution is beautifully simple. Other projects require layered mats, unusual proportions, raised floats, shadowboxes, multiple openings, specialized mounting or something we've never done quite the same way before.
• The goal isn't to put as much framing as possible around your piece.
• The goal is to make the framing belong to it.

You care about how your piece is treated.

• Much of good framing is invisible once the finished piece is hanging on the wall.
• Appropriate mounting and support. Conservation-quality materials. UV-filtering glazing. Proper spacing. Careful handling. 
• Thoughtful treatment of original and historical materials.
• Those details matter to us.

You have something unusual.

• Original artwork. Textiles and needlework. Memorabilia. Three-dimensional objects. Oversized pieces. Multiple-opening projects. Fragile original frames. Things that don't fit neatly into a standard framing formula.
• Those are often the projects we enjoy most.
• You don't need to know how something should be framed before you come in.
• Figuring that out is part of our job.

You understand that truly custom work takes time.

Once you approve a design, the work has only begun.

From there, your project may involve:

• Individually ordering materials
• Building the frame
• Cutting mats and glazing specifically for the piece
• Fabricating mounting systems, spacers or other components
• Assembling, fitting and inspecting the finished work here in the studio. 

Some highly specialized projects may require additional design, restoration, research, sourcing or custom fabrication. That may mean developing a solution specifically for your piece, locating the right specialist, or having custom acrylic, supports, tools or other components fabricated before the framing itself can be completed. Depending on the project, that process can add weeks—or occasionally months—to the work. 

We will not compromise any project by rushing that process.

That requires time and concentration.

We deliberately protect both.

Your first priority is speed.

• Frameworks Northwest does not offer rush framing or guarantee arbitrary completion dates.
• We'll give you the best timing information we have, but custom materials can be affected by availability, backorders, shipping delays and the complexity of other projects already in production.
• If your project absolutely must be completed by a particular date, please tell us before we begin. We would rather tell you honestly that we cannot meet your needs than make a promise we may not be able to keep.

You need frequent production updates.

• Frameworks Northwest maintains protected production time when the studio is closed to the public so that we can concentrate on detailed construction, fitting and preservation work without interruption.
• For the same reason, we don't provide routine project-status updates.

A status inquiry doesn't make a project move faster.

• We'll contact you promptly when your project is finished and ready for pickup.

Your primary consideration is finding the lowest possible price.

• Budget is absolutely part of the design conversation.
• Our work is based on professional materials, appropriate techniques and the time necessary to do the work properly. We won't compromise those standards simply to produce the lowest possible price.
• Sometimes a modest photograph carrying an extraordinary family story deserves exactly the same care as an expensive piece of original art.
• Value isn't determined by an auction price.

• You should expect us to hear your story.
• You should expect thoughtful design and honest recommendations.
• You should expect us to explain your options and tell you when we believe something isn't appropriate for your piece.
• You should expect professional materials, careful handling and preservation-minded techniques.
• You should expect us to tell you when we don't know something or when something requires specialized outside expertise or fabrication.

Most importantly, you should expect your project to receive the same attention at our workbench that we promised you at the design table.

We know our process isn't right for every project or every client.

That's intentional.

But if you're looking for thoughtful design, professional craftsmanship and a framing studio that understands why the things you choose to frame matter—

We should talk.

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When it matters — Frameworks Northwest.

Custom Picture & Art Framing — the professional art of storytelling.