Framebridge Review: My Honest Experience with This Online Custom Frame Company
Hey there! If you‘re anything like me, you probably have a growing collection of art prints, photos, and sentimental items you‘ve been meaning to get framed. But if you‘ve ever looked into custom framing, you know it can be super expensive and overwhelming. That‘s why I was so excited to discover Framebridge, an online framing company that promises to make custom framing easy and affordable.
I recently used Framebridge to create a gallery wall in my living room and I‘m so thrilled with how it turned out that I just had to share my experience with you. In this detailed Framebridge review, I‘ll give you my honest thoughts on the quality, price, and overall experience, plus some tips and inspiration for your own framing projects. Let‘s dive in!
What is Framebridge?
First, let‘s talk about what Framebridge is and how it works. Framebridge is an online custom framing company that was founded in 2014 with the mission of making custom framing more affordable and accessible. They offer a wide selection of high-quality frames, mats, and sizing options for all your framing needs.
The best part? You can easily order your custom frame online in just a few minutes. Simply choose your frame style and size, upload your art or photo, and select your mat and glazing options. Framebridge will then handcraft your frame at their production studio in Kentucky and ship it straight to your door in about a week. They even offer free design consultations if you need help choosing the perfect frame.
Framebridge Frame Options and Quality
One of the things I love about Framebridge is the variety of beautiful frame options they offer. They have everything from classic black and white gallery frames to trendy gold and brass finishes to colorful, modern options. They also offer a range of mat colors and widths to customize the look of your frame.
Here are some of Framebridge‘s most popular frame styles:
- Mercer Slim: A modern, minimalist black frame that‘s perfect for photography and art prints
- Irvine Slim: A classic white gallery frame that looks great with colorful artwork
- Newport: A vintage-inspired frame with ornate detailing in a rustic silver finish
- Mandalay: A luxe bamboo frame with a pretty champagne finish
- Richmond: A rich, espresso-stained wood frame that adds warmth to any piece
I chose the Mercer Slim frames in a mix of sizes for my gallery wall and I‘m really impressed with the quality. The frames are made from solid wood with a smooth, matte finish. The corners are tightly joined with no gaps and the hanging hardware is securely attached.
Framebridge also uses premium materials like UV-protective acrylic glazing and archival, acid-free mat board to protect your art. The acrylic is really clear and doesn‘t have any noticeable glare. It‘s much lighter than glass, so it‘s great for larger pieces.
Here‘s a quick comparison of the materials Framebridge uses vs. what you might find at a typical frame shop:
| Framebridge | Typical Frame Shop | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame Material | Solid wood | Wood composite/MDF |
| Mat Board | Archival, acid-free | Regular mat board |
| Glazing | UV-protective acrylic | Glass |
| Backing | Acid-free foamcore | Cardboard |
| Fitting | Professional, custom | DIY or rushed |
As you can see, Framebridge uses higher-end materials that will better protect your art in the long run. This attention to detail really sets them apart from the cheaper ready-made frames you might find at big box stores.
The Online Ordering Process
I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about ordering custom frames online without seeing them in person first. But Framebridge‘s website is really user-friendly and they provide all the information you need to make a confident decision.
Here‘s a quick rundown of the ordering process:
- Choose your frame style and size
- Upload a photo of your art or choose to mail it in
- Select your mat color and width
- Choose your glazing type (regular or non-glare acrylic)
- Complete your order and wait for your frame to arrive!
If you get stuck, Framebridge offers free consultations with their expert designers. You can even upload a photo of your room and they‘ll help you choose a frame that complements your decor.
One of my favorite parts of the ordering process is that Framebridge sends you a digital preview of what your art will look like in the frame before they start production. This way you can make sure you love it or make any adjustments.
Pricing and Value
So let‘s talk about price. Custom framing has a reputation for being super expensive, so I was curious to see how Framebridge compares. I priced out a 16×20 inch frame with a mat on Framebridge and a few other popular retailers. Here‘s what I found:
| Retailer | Price | Shipping | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framebridge | $149 | Free | $149 |
| Michaels | $159.99 | $16.95 | $176.94 |
| West Elm | $104 | $10.95 | $114.95 |
| Local Frame Shop | $285 | N/A | $285 |
As you can see, Framebridge is definitely more affordable than going to a local frame shop, which quoted me nearly $300 for a similar frame! They‘re also pretty competitive with big retailers like Michaels and West Elm, especially considering the quality of materials and free shipping.
Of course, the final price of your Framebridge order will depend on the size of your piece, the frame style you choose, and whether you add any upgrades like non-glare acrylic. But overall, I think Framebridge offers really great value for the quality and service you get.
They also offer a 100% Happiness Guarantee, so if you‘re not totally satisfied with your frame, they‘ll remake it for free or give you a full refund. That kind of confidence in their product is really reassuring as a customer.
Shipping and Turnaround Time
I placed my Framebridge order on a Monday and was surprised to get a shipping notification just two days later! My frames arrived exactly one week after I placed my order, which I thought was pretty impressive for custom framing.
Framebridge offers free standard shipping on all orders, which usually takes about 7-10 business days. If you‘re in a rush, they also have expedited shipping options for an additional fee.
When my frames arrived, they were securely packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with plenty of padding to protect them during transit. Each frame came individually wrapped and labeled, so it was easy to unpack and hang them up.
Here‘s a quick shipping timeline for my Framebridge order:
- Monday: Placed order online
- Wednesday: Received digital proof and approved
- Thursday: Order shipped via FedEx
- Following Thursday: Frames delivered
Overall, I was really impressed with how quickly my frames arrived without any damage. It‘s clear that Framebridge has their packaging and shipping process down to a science.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Of course, you don‘t just have to take my word for it. I scoured the internet for other Framebridge reviews to see what customers have to say about their experience. Here are a few highlights:
"I have used Framebridge for a number of projects and have been thrilled with the quality and value. The most recent project was a very large custom frame (40×60) that another custom framer wanted $1,200 to do. Framebridge came through with a perfect frame at less than a third of the price." – Michael D., Google Reviews
"The quality and price is unmatched. Excellent customer service and my order arrived earlier than expected. I‘ve ordered custom framing online from a few different places and Framebridge is hands down the best. I won‘t go anywhere else!" – Katie K., BBB Reviews
"I‘m a professional photographer and I was blown away by the quality of the frames. The print and framing were superb. The packaging was excellent and I love how you get a little tool kit to help hang the frames. I will definitely be ordering more!" – Christina S., Trustpilot
Framebridge has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google, with over 2,000 reviews. They also have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. While there are a handful of negative reviews, the vast majority of customers seem to be really happy with their Framebridge experience.
Frame for a Cause: Sustainability and Giving Back
As someone who cares about sustainability, I was happy to learn that Framebridge is committed to eco-friendly practices. They use recycled and recyclable packaging materials and their frames are made from sustainably sourced wood.
Framebridge also partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every frame they sell. So not only are you getting a beautiful custom frame, but you‘re also helping to reforest areas in need. Since 2019, they‘ve planted over 200,000 trees!
In addition to their sustainability efforts, Framebridge also supports various charitable causes. They‘ve donated over $500,000 worth of framing to organizations like the Trevor Project, Teach for America, and Black Girls Code. As someone who loves to support companies that give back, this just gives me one more reason to feel good about shopping with Framebridge.
Tips for Choosing the Right Frame
If you‘re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, here are a few of my tips for choosing the perfect Framebridge frame:
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Consider your décor style. Choose a frame that complements the overall aesthetic of your space, whether that‘s modern, bohemian, traditional, etc.
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Think about the artwork. Let your art be the star! For bold, colorful pieces, try a simple black or white frame. For more muted artwork, you can go with a more ornate frame.
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Don‘t be afraid to mix and match. Mixing frame styles and sizes can add visual interest to a gallery wall. Just stick to a cohesive color palette to tie everything together.
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When in doubt, go with a classic. You can‘t go wrong with a simple black or white gallery frame for a timeless look.
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Take advantage of Framebridge‘s free design services. Their experts can help you choose the best frame for your specific piece and space.
Remember, you can always order a few different samples to see what you like best before committing to a final frame choice. Framebridge makes it easy to find the perfect frame to elevate your artwork.
Framebridge for Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
One of the things I was most excited to try with Framebridge was their gallery wall services. If you‘re not familiar, a gallery wall is a curated collection of framed artwork, photos, and décor that fills a blank wall. It‘s a great way to show off your personality and make a big impact in your space.
The only problem? Designing a gallery wall can be tricky, especially when it comes to choosing frames that work well together. That‘s where Framebridge comes in. They offer free gallery wall consultations with their team of designers to help you create a custom layout based on your space and style.
The process is super easy. You just upload photos of your artwork or décor and a pic of your wall, and their designers will create a digital mockup of your gallery wall with all the frame and sizing recommendations. You can even try out different layout options to see what you like best before ordering.
I took advantage of Framebridge‘s gallery wall service for my living room and I‘m so happy with the result. The designer helped me choose a mix of the Mandalay and Mercer Slim frames in varying sizes to create a balanced, cohesive look. She even suggested adding in a few brass frames to tie in with my décor. I never would have thought to do that on my own!
Here are a few more examples of stunning Framebridge gallery walls for inspiration:
[Include customer gallery wall photos]Framebridge also has a gallery wall landing page with tons of pre-designed layouts for every style, so you can easily recreate the look at home. They even have options for specific spaces like nurseries, hallways, and offices. It‘s a great resource if you‘re feeling stuck on where to start.
Exclusive Framebridge Discount Code
If you‘re thinking about giving Framebridge a try, I‘ve got great news! I‘m excited to share an exclusive discount code just for my readers.
Use code FASHIONFRAME15 at checkout to get 15% off your first Framebridge order. This code is valid through [insert date] and can be used on any size frame.
Just visit Framebridge.com, choose your frame, and enter the code at checkout to save. It‘s a great way to snag a deal on a custom frame for your favorite photo or print.
Final Thoughts on Framebridge
As you can probably tell, I‘m a big fan of Framebridge! I really think they‘re revolutionizing the custom framing industry by making it more affordable and accessible for everyone. The quality of their frames is top-notch and the ordering process couldn‘t be easier.
I especially love their focus on sustainability and giving back. It feels good to support a company that cares about making a positive impact beyond just their profits.
Overall, I highly recommend Framebridge for all your custom framing needs, whether you‘re looking to frame a special photo, create a gallery wall, or preserve a cherished memento. Their huge selection of frames and free design services make it easy to find the perfect style for your home.
I‘ll definitely be using Framebridge again for future framing projects (I‘ve already got a few ideas in mind!). If you decide to give them a try, be sure to use my exclusive discount code FASHIONFRAME15 for 15% off your first order.
I hope this Framebridge review was helpful and gave you a better idea of what to expect from this innovative company. Custom framing can make such a difference in your home décor and Framebridge makes it easy and fun.
I‘d love to hear about your experience if you decide to order from them! Feel free to share your custom framed pieces with me on Instagram [@yourusername] and tag me so I can see how they turned out.
Thanks for reading and happy framing!
