If you make a living selling paintings, drawings, prints or illustrations, you probably put good materials, careful use of time and a tight budget ahead of everything else. Nothing is guaranteed for a self-employed artist, and when money is tight it's tempting to cut corners on framing.
It's easy to see why framing becomes an afterthought. Unless the frame is integral to the artwork, it can seem like a minor feature whose only job is to protect the work. Talk to customers and fellow art lovers, though, and you'll get a very different picture.
Framed work is easier to buy
Some artists leave their work unframed and let customers buy a frame afterwards. Some people like that. Others find it a hassle to arrange a frame at extra cost, and some are put off buying at all.
Framing the work yourself makes buying easier. You also get the final say, which saves your artwork from someone with poor taste in frames.
Not all frames are equal
Framing before you sell is not as simple as bulk-buying discount ready-made frames and putting your work in them. You'll save money, but a cheap, shoddy frame may damage your chance of a sale more than no frame at all. Frame-making is an art in itself, and it pays to use professionals if you want to make the most of your work.
A good frame protects the work
A poorly made frame is unattractive, and it may also damage your artwork. Improper framing can let the artwork fall from the frame or the wall, and can leave it open to sun damage.
A quality custom-made frame is built to hold the weight of the artwork. UV-protected glass and specialist assembly techniques protect it from fading and yellowing.
You can't beat experience
A professional framer brings years of experience to the job and can craft a frame that complements, protects and preserves your artwork. Professional framers also have a vast range of materials and styles, so you can commission the ideal frame and mount for each piece.
How you frame your work is up to you. But an outside view from a framer can be invaluable, and they may suggest an idea you didn't know was possible.