Deciding how to best present and protect your works of photography is an important consideration. The question often starts with identifying which type of framing material is ideal for your piece. After all, every photo is its own unique expression, and each one deserves a frame worthy of its beauty. So, how do you know if custom metal picture framing is the right choice for your photography?
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For starters, it's important to debunk the assumption that every metal frame consists of the same sub-standard quality you might find with an off-the-shelf product at a big box store. The truth is there's a whole universe of choices beyond that stereotype, and in fact, custom metal frames can be some of the sleekest, most sophisticated and highest-quality options for your photographs. The custom aspect also gives you immense control over sizing specifications and stylistic preferences.
Let's explore some of the nuances of custom metal framing that will help drive your decision-making process and determine whether this option is right for you and your work.
The Facts about Custom Metal Frames
Metal frames have been recognized as the backbone of custom framing for some time, beautifully complementing photography of all kinds in a number of ways:
- For photographs that warrant a clean, modern look, metal frames provide a sleek and smooth aesthetic.
- The nature of metal supports a timeless quality, in both style and function. Metal doesn't warp or phase out of style.
- Metal frames are economical and come in an array of highly affordable options to meet various budgets.
- They are conservation quality'a key advantage given the importance of protecting photography from harmful elements, like acid,, which can deteriorate a piece's essence over time.
- Metal frames are light but sturdy, so they are structurally sound without involving an overly heavy frame.
- DIY custom framing is simple when you opt for metal frames that offer easy assembly, with all hardware included.
- If your photography requires sizing that doesn't fit standard, off-the-shelf frames, custom metal provides an optimal fit.
- Metal frames are extremely versatile and flexible, fitting any type of photography. They come in a wide range of different finishes, styles and colors.
The Gold Standard in Metal Frames
There is a top choice when it comes to metal frames, and that's the Nielsen® brand. The inventor of the classic 'gallery' frame and the leading manufacturer of metal mouldings worldwide, Nielsen has been making frames for over 40 years.
The manufacturing of Nielsen metal frames includes an anodization process that makes them highly durable and mar-resistant. A unique electrostatic paint system applies multiple coats to each frame. This means that coverage is exceptional, as is resistance to scratches and scuffs. These frames are made entirely in America, all from 100% recyclable aluminum, which also makes them earth-friendly.
Nielsen produces many different collections of metal frames, and two of our favorites include:
Standard Plus Two: This line of strong, flawless aluminum frames can elevate already dramatic photographs. The finishes on the Standard Plus Two collection are what make them truly special, including the variety of linen texture ones and the range of earth-tone mouldings that add sheen and glamour. From the integrity of these frames and how they're cut, to the seamless connections and easy assembly, this collection shines with simplicity and beauty.
Although photographers are not able to buy directly from Nielsen, American Frame is the nation's #1 online retailer of these frames. Each moulding comes directly from Nielsen's manufacturing plant in Tennessee to American Frame's Ohio facility. And as with all American Frame options, selections from the Nielsen collections can be cut to within 1/16", thanks to our PrecisionCut' technology.
Abundant Color Capabilities
With custom metal frames offered in many hues, there's the perfect shade to complement your photography, no matter the subject or style.
- Black: Always chic, sophisticated and infinitely versatile, black metal frames offer a range of unique looks for your photography, and lend an air of elevated taste and style.
- White: White metal frames give your photography a clean, crisp, modern edge, and are guaranteed to brighten any image.
- Silver: Silver has long been a common and popular element in photography. Whether frosted or reflective, silver's timelessness and unique ability to enhance or blend make it a 'go-to' finish for all types of photos.
- Gold: Gold metal has been a staple in frame mouldings for decades, and it continues to support standout works of photography.
- Graphite: A graphite finish mimics the mineral's namesake. Nicely complementing black & white photography with its subtle satin luster, it serves as an accessory to photos rather than its own showpiece.
- Earth Tones: The warmth of metal is experienced with natural textures and colors, and there's a distinctively comforting quality to these earthy hues.
- Colors: Vibrant, colorful metal frames add impact or a playful touch to various types of photography and poster-sized images.
Some interesting color properties can be found amongst different custom metal selections, like our Twilight collection. These intriguing frames feature translucent finishes for an iridescent shine, along with softly rounded faces and a broad range of luminous colors, from classic to daring. Some finishes even mimic popular jewelry tones. And with the Tiffany collection, you'll find chic, sophisticated frames with a recessed face and contemporary lines accentuated by rich jewel-tone anodized finishes. Playing with these types of moods and aesthetics can help you distinguish whether a custom metal frame is exactly what your photography needs.
A Word About Style & Width
If you thought metal only offered a standard look or created a basic profile, think again. The custom process enables you to choose from not only a myriad of colors, but also a wide selection of styles and widths.
Widths can range from a thin 1/4" for lightly outlining your photography with a minimalist look, to a very wide 1-3/8" for oversized pieces. No matter the width, each frame can be PrecisionCut' to your specifications in order to get just the right fit for your photographs.
Making the Choice
To get an even better feel for how individual choices of custom metal framing might pair well with your photography, take advantage of the opportunity to order free samples so you can feel confident about your purchase. Simply explore our wide selection of custom metal frames online, choose one you'd like to see firsthand and then click to add the sample to your cart. The only cost to you is a small shipping fee, which is well worth it in the end.
Essentially, you can't go wrong with custom metal frames, regardless of your photography style, size or budget. And while it all comes down to personal choice, there are simply so many ways the choice of metal can be ideal for your photography needs.
Here at Frame It Easy, we strive to provide our customers with high-quality, affordable frames that are completely customizable. We have 8 different frame styles, which include 5 metal frames and 3 wood frames, which means we have tons of options for you to create your perfect, custom frame for your home. We've covered light and dark wood frames in our Learning Center before, so today we will be covering our metal frames' color options giving you plenty of metal frame ideas.
There are a few different materials frames can be made out of, both metal and wood. Here at Frame It Easy, all of our metal frames are made out of aluminum, through a process called 'extrusion' that's either anodized or powder-coated, which are processes to create a decorative, durable, and corrosion-resistant finish. Plus, all of our frames ' metal and wood ' are made in America.
Between all of our metal frame styles, there are 12 different colors to choose from ' Satin Black, Silver, Gold, Gloss Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, White, Hot Pink, Red, Blue, and Green. Whether you choose to design all of your frames using the same color for a uniform look or mix and match your frames to create an eye-catching display, we will be going over some options for choosing the best frames for your space.
So what is the best choice for your home ' light or dark? Satin or glossy? Neutral or a fun color? Maybe mixing and matching is the best option? Let's find out more!
First, lets talk about the difference between our Satin and Gloss frames. These variations are offered in Black, Silver, and Gold. While the verbiage might be self-explanatory to some, we figured we'd go over the differences in how they look ' just so you have a better idea of what you're getting.
Our gloss option is the shinier variation. If you're looking for a classic look, it's not quite that glossy, but it is a good in-between; if you're looking for a color that's shinier than our satin, but isn't quite chrome, a gloss color would be a good pick for you.
Then you have our Satin finish, which offers a more contemporary look with a matte finish. Our Satin finish frames would be perfect for those modern and minimalistic styles.
Let's take a look at all of our Silver options to inspire your metal frame ideas and styles. Silver frames have a hue that makes you think of something expensive and sleek. Silver is just one of those colors that go well with everything, will enhance any color it accompanies, and, luckily, is available on our site in tons of different styles of silver picture frames.
Ashford and Hanover Silver Frames
Here are the two most popular metal frame styles ' great for just about anything! They're only 3/8' in width when looking at them from straight ahead. This means they don't really take up much of the viewer's attention when looking at them. This allows for the art itself to shine through the brightest.
What's the difference between our Ashford frame and Hanover frame styles, though? They are similar, but of course, are different and unique in their own way. Ashford has a flat profile face while Hanover is rounded. For a more in-depth look at the difference between these two styles ' check out our frame styles page.
So while they're similar, there is a key distinction that could impact your display. Again, there's no right or wrong choice here ' just whatever you feel would be most appropriate for your walls.
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That said, it does have more noticeable frame rails than our Hanover frame. So if you want the frame to occupy just a little more space in the display, this could be a good choice. This is a great choice frame for precious art that you want to display around your home because it is simple, yet classic and beautiful.
Bradford and Stafford Silver Frames
Our final two styles are our two largest frames, profile face-wise. Our Bradford frame style measures 1' and our Stafford frame style measures 1 1/2'. The two frame styles are similarly shaped, just one is a little thicker than the other.
What would be good to put in one of these frames? Well, again, that's up to you, though we do recommend these for much larger pieces. A large family photo, a sign for your office, or even a large flag! These frames are big, and they'll catch people's attention.
When you think of gold, you likely think of victory, royalty, or something else of high prestige. This is why gold picture frames are so popular! Chances are, if you're planning on framing something on your wall, you hold what you want to display in high regard. It could be an award, a certificate, or it could be a diploma, or a nice photo of you and your closest friends all dressed up.
So let's take a look at all the gold frames we have, and what they might be best for.
Hanover Frame In Satin and Gloss Gold
Let's start with the Hanover style.
The satin gold is a lighter shade, and it's more matte. The satin has a more contemporary look, while the gloss has a more classic look ' so choose which you would like best! We also have photos of all our colors and profiles on our Instagram page, if you want to get a better idea of what they look like.
That said, our Hanover frame is thin, only 3/8' thick when looking at them from straight ahead. This makes it a minimalistic frame great for someone who wants their art to be more prominent when displaying it. If you want to give your frame a thin golden halo to make it shine on your wall, the Hanover might be your best bet!
Ashford Frame In Satin and Gloss Gold
As we mentioned, the Ashford frame is similar to the Hanover frame. There are two main differences: it's slightly more expensive, and it's flat in the front rather than rounded. This difference is subtle, but it makes a big difference in your display.
The Ashford frame in gold would be great for wedding or engagement photos since it can add that tasteful look to your photos. Consider framing your first dance photo or a photo of the two of you in front of the sunset in either our Satin Gold or Gloss Gold Ashford frame style.
Black picture frames are great for creating a bold look on your walls that are elegant and tasteful. They also match with pretty much any decor style or color you choose for your home, so if you decide to switch up your decor in a few years, you won't need to order new frames to match!
Ashford and Hanover Frames in Satin or Gloss Black
If you've been on our site, you'll know that our Ashford and Hanover are our two most affordable metal frame styles.
In black, these frames are great with movie posters. They almost have that feel of the old movie theater frames ' the ones that always advertised the upcoming pictures coming to that cinema. Have some movie posters you want to frame? If so, Ashford or Hanover in black could be the right color and style combo for you.
Bradford and Stafford Frames in Gloss and Satin Black
Last, but certainly not least ' especially when talking about their size ' are the Bradford and Stafford. They're both similarly shaped, just with different widths. The Bradford is 1' thick when looking at it from straight ahead. A style with a commanding presence, indeed, and our third biggest style. The Derby and Dayton are tied for second, and the Stafford is the first; it's 1 1/2' in thickness, but despite that, is shaped similarly to the Bradford.
So what are these frame styles good for? Well, if you have a sign at work ' something that you want everyone to see ' either of these would be a good option. Because they are metal, too, they can accommodate our maximum 'Art Size,' which is 42' X 62'.
Ashford Frame In White
The Ashford frame style in white has an especially contemporary look, which pairs well with more modern or abstract artworks ' the profile is thin enough to provide a subtle border without being overpowering.
Our Ashford frame style in white would be perfect for your beach photos. What is usually associated with a beach day? Bright colors and nice days. And nothing would help bring about those thoughts better than a white frame. Have a photo of you in front of the water or of your dog playing in the sand. Why not give it the display it deserves on your wall in our Ashford frame in White? It will make you smile every time you pass by it.
Hanover Frame In White
Our Hanover frame style in white would be the perfect display for any portrait photos. School photos, a headshot used for your LinkedIn profile, or photos you used for your last holiday card, whatever portrait you have of yourself or your family would look great in our Hanover frame. The soft touch of the rounded edges makes it perfect for those more serious photos that you want to make fun!
Ashford Frame In Hot Pink and Rose Gold
When it comes to our Ashford frame style in Hot Pink and Rose Gold, we understand that they may not be everyone's cup of tea. But for those of you who are looking for a fun and unique way to add a pop of color to your home decor, either would be a perfect choice to add to your home.
Either frame color would be the perfect choice for your colorful art. What better way to display a bright and fun colored piece of art than with a bright ring around it? If you've been to our Learning Center before, you know that we are big fans of colorful art. What better way to add some depth to your neutral-colored walls than with some colorful art? And both of these metal frame ideas would be a great addition to your piece.
Hanover Frame In Red, Blue, and Green
Along with the other options that we've talked about, our Hanover frame style is also offered in Red, Blue, and Green, and there are many ways to add these to your home.
Our Red and Green colors would pair perfectly with a holiday photo that you may want to display on your wall or tabletop. You can add a coordinating matboard color or choose white to make the frame color stand out!
Our Blue frame color would be perfect for framing for your kid's room. The fun color can add a nice touch to artwork they made comic book covers, sports pictures, or any of their interests.
Framing Things All Together
As you can see, there are tons of options when it comes to choosing the perfect metal frame for your house, but don't let that limit you to just one, why not mix and match a few (or all!) different frame styles? We hope this post helped you to narrow down your choices and find the best option for your space!
Once you've figured out which frame style and color is the best for your home, head over to our Frame Designer to start creating your custom frames.
As always, if you put any of our metal frame ideas into practice, be sure to share them with us on social media so we can see what amazing things you created with your decor.
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