HOW LONG DOES CUSTOM FRAMING TAKE?

Our normal delivery is one week. Occasionally we must order materials that might delay that schedule. We try very hard to let you know that when you place an order. We also try to call if a job will not be complete on the promised date. Rush orders are always accepted, but material choices might be limited because of time.

I’M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD LOOK RIGHT IN MY HOME OR OFFICE. WOULD YOU COME AND LOOK AT THE LOCATION?

Certainly! Appointments may be scheduled with any of our designers. You shouldn’t have to wait more than a couple of days for a visit.

I HAVE A LARGE MIRROR (PICTURE) THAT I CAN’T HANG. DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO COULD DO THAT?

Yes, we can schedule installation appointments. Occasionally the item may be too big for us to handle. In that case we have other installers that we can recommend.

HOW DO YOU CALCULATE THE COST OF CUSTOM FRAMING?

Each component of framing is calculated separately. The frame (moulding) is measured by the linear foot. The wider the moulding, the more footage is needed. We buy most of our moulding from manufacturers or distributors. The prices range from $5.00 per foot to over $100 per foot. The average is probably around $15.00 per foot.

We are using a state-of-the-art computer system that accurately and fairly calculates the price based on the size of the art and the choices of materials. Please don’t hesitate to ask for an explanation of charges.

We purchase mats and glass by the square foot, and we stock only acid-free mats and better quality glass. However, because we buy in large quantity we are getting the best available price, which we are happy to pass on to you. At Bradley’s we also create many mats from fabrics: linen, silk, moiré, suede and velvet. In most cases we can also use your fabric.

The additional components of a picture frame are hardware items, spacers, backing board, kraft paper, bumpers, hangers, etc.

The biggest single expense, aside from the frame moulding, is the labor. Education, training and skill are needed to execute most of the jobs we work on today. Our staff includes 6 Certified Picture Framers. All together we have more than 150 years experience.

WHAT’S UPSTAIRS?

The new workroom upstairs is a big, open area with 4 large work tables which can be used for frame repair and/or restoration, art restoration and touch-up, or building large or complicated shadow boxes. It is a quiet, out-of-the way space that items can be safely worked on and allowed to dry in a clean environment.

WILL YOU FRAME A PICTURE FOR ME IF I BRING IN MY OWN FRAME?

Of course, please bring the frame with you when you come in so that we can be certain of the measurements.

WHAT DOES C.P.F. MEAN?

Certified Picture Framer is a designation given to a picture framer upon passing a test that covers all aspects of picture framing, except design. Questions include the care of the customer’s art, choice of materials appropriate for the job, framemaking, matting, mounting, glazing and fitting. After 4 years a CPF is required to take an 8 hr. re-certification class which covers new products and technology.

Pat Bradley served on the original test committee in 1982. The committee met at Princeton University and was trained by the SAT test writers. The picture framers wrote over 300 questions initially and over the course of several meetings had to unanimously agree that the questions were appropriate and that the answers were absolutely correct.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY ART IS VALUABLE?

The most accurate way is to use the services of an Art Appraiser. We can recommend an Art Appraiser. Most appraisers will tell you up front if your art has little or no intrinsic value. We have a list that shows the current selling prices of some limited edition art. Our list is updated monthly. You might take your art to one of the “art auction” houses locally. You could check some of the art auction sites on the Internet to see if anything similar has an established price.

I’M LOOKING FOR A PRINT AND I DON’T HAVE MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT IT. CAN YOU HELP?

Probably! Generally we need a title, artist, or publisher. We’ll be happy to search the internet for you or you are free to use our gallery computer. There are some internet sites that can be very useful. Because we’ve seen a lot of art over the years, we may recall a print by just a description. Anyway, we’ll be happy to help – a little detective work can be fun.

SHOULD I USE REGULAR GLASS OR NON-GLARE? WHAT OTHER TYPES OF GLASS ARE THERE?

Regular glass may be used on almost anything that requires glass. However, over a very dark background, you will see reflections from lights in the vicinity. Non-glare glass has been etched on one side, which cuts down on the reflections, but does not totally remove them. The non-glare cannot be used when it is necessary to pull the glass away from the subject, as we would have to do on a shadow box.

Both regular and non-glare glass are available with an ultraviolet coating that will filter 97% of UV which causes fading of art. Both sunlight and fluorescent lighting emit ultraviolet rays.

Museum Glass is anti-reflective clear glass with a UV coating. The technology was developed to be used in nuclear power plants and the gauges in night flying aircraft.

Our designers will help you make the best decision for your art.

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER USING ACRYLIC?

Acrylic is most often used on very large pieces of art where weight becomes a factor. We also recommend acrylic in public areas in hospitals and schools. Acrylic can be placed in direct contact with some art, especially textiles.

Acrylic is available in regular, non-glare, and ultraviolet filtering. We stock all kinds in 48” x 96” sheets. The newest product on the market is Optima which is similar to Museum Glass in that it is clear, non-reflective and filters UV.

Acrylic must be cleaned with a plastic cleaner and soft cloth. It will scratch fairly easily. Rubbing the acrylic can set up a static charge, which can draw loose particles to the surface.

Acrylic boxes can be a decorative alternative to shadow boxes. If you have some tall objects, and want a lighter and perhaps more contemporary look, then we might suggest using an acrylic box. These can be designed with and without a frame around the edges.

If we do use acrylic on something for you, we’ll give you specific instructions on caring for your framing.

DO YOU RECOMMEND GLASS ON NEEDLEWORK?

We generally do not recommend glass on needlework unless there are smokers in the house, the work is hung in the kitchen or by a fireplace or where it might be touched, if the background is white or very light, or if it is a fragile antique piece.

If we do frame with glass, we always space the glass away from the needlework. Moisture can condense inside glass, which can cause mold and mildew and eventually rot the fabric and/or fibers. We have several lovely designs that adequately space the glass.

CAN YOU FRAME SOMETHING SO I CAN SEE BOTH SIDES?

We certainly can. You’ll see some in the YOU FRAMED A WHAT? area. Frame moulding can be fit back-to-back if the object is to sit on a table. When hanging on the wall, we finish the back of the moulding. Sometimes you might not want to remove the frame from the wall, but just be able to see through the glass. Special care is taken to space the glass properly and make allowances for the additional weight of two pieces of glass.

WHO WILL ACTUALLY DO THE WORK ON MY ART?

Almost all of our staff are Certified Picture Framers. You’ll see them at work in the ABOUT US area. They are craftsmen who really care about your possessions as if they were their own. They take great pride in your pleasure and satisfaction.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Bradley’s Art & Frame opened for business in 1970, and has remained family owned and operated.

WHAT IF I’M NOT HAPPY WITH THE FRAMING?

Then we’ll do whatever we can to make you happy. Bradley’s Art & Frame unconditionally guarantees our quality and your satisfaction.

We have a wonderful tool called Picture-it-First. It is a camera that photographs your artwork with our frame and mat corner samples on our counter. The image is then manipulated in the computer to show you “completed” framing on your art. We can try different frames and place the pictures side-by-side on the monitor.

Our designers are very sensitive to your wishes. We might make alternate suggestions because of construction constraints or availability of materials.

If you ever have a problem with a Bradley’s frame, we expect you to let us know and give us the opportunity to please and satisfy you.

HOW CAN I PUT A CAPTION OR TITLE ON THE PIECE YOU ARE FRAMING?

There are several ways. One is an engraved brass or silver plate. Our engraver has a large selection of sizes, shapes, fonts and decorative designs. Plates may be attached to the frame or a liner or inside the glass on the mat. We can also make a decorative cut in the mat around the plate.

We can make additional cuts in the mat and insert computer generated captions. If you do not have the capability to produce the captions, we’ll be happy to do it.

WHAT IS A GLASS MAT?

A glass mat is literally a piece of glass with paint applied to the inside in the shape of a mat. The appearance is usually very glossy. Glass mats are a very old technique. We see them used on antique samplers in the 17th & 18th centuries. At that time they were black and sometimes captions were included using gold leaf.

Today we use whatever color is appropriate. A glass mat looks terrific on high gloss photography.