Framing large pieces of art comes with its own nuances. Carla reviews what you should look into when custom framing these bigger projects.
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Reasons to go with custom framing
Purchasing a ready-made frame from a big box store can be tempting because of the price. When it comes to protecting treasured family photos or other special items, it pays to do a little research. The quality of materials can drastically affect the condition of your artwork over time. Custom frames cost a little more than a ready-made frame but we will break down reasons why it is worth the investment.
Protect Your Art
Whether you have a poster from a concert, event or a cherished photo, these memorabilia should be treated properly. Anything that comes in contact with your artwork should be acid free and archival in quality or else you risk damage to your art over time. Custom framing with archival components is the best way to ensure your items last as long as possible in the best condition.
Make the Frame Work For Your Art
With custom framing, there are hundreds of options available providing many ways to create a special frame for your cherished item. If you are trying to use a ready-made frame when trying to frame artwork with non-standard dimensions, you will end up with an uneven mat or other make-it-work solutions. Custom framing ensures your final product will look tailor made and will perfectly fit your artwork.
Personalized Service
When just picking up a frame from the store, you are more or less on your own. It is not always a bad thing, but ideally, the frame you end up with should work to enhance what you are putting inside it.
If you do not quite have a vision for your project, there is nothing like the insight of a framing expert. Wyman Frame can work with you to choose a mat and frame that will perfectly compliment the artwork and look right at home wherever you display it.
We will always go the extra mile to ensure your favorite pictures, prints and other memorabilia are preserved properly, beautifully framed and received in a timely manner.
Carla Folks works at Wyman Frame, a division of Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC). Carla has been a Certified Picture Framer since 1989 and has framed for DRTC since 2013 where she trains/supervises people with disabilities on various projects.
DRTC is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Four framing options for a print
I recently had the chance to frame one poster, designed by Dale Rogers Training Center Senior Graphic Designer Brian Landreth, four ways. Each person having their print framed had a different idea of what they wanted, and ended up highlighting various elements within the same artwork.
In this case, the multitude of colors in the piece, along with the many combinations we can offer at Wyman Frame, worked for their framing project.
The results
The white frame with grey mat was chosen because of the neutral colors in the client’s home. This person also wanted the framed result to be larger because she had a big space to fill on her wall.
The clean lines of the black frame gave the piece a gallery framed look.
The brown frame was used for the client that had a lot of warm wood tones in the room where the art was going to hang. It brought out some of the warm colors in the art that weren’t really noticeable at first.
The frame on the right was chosen by the artist who was interested in bringing out the less dominate blue in the piece. We chose a blue mat that worked well and then used two frames to achieve the look we wanted. The bright green inner frame looks great between the blue mat and black frame making a dynamic framing option for an exceptional piece of art.
Conclusion
All of the frame choices worked because we used colors that could be found in the art. There is no right way to frame a picture so choose what works for you and enjoy it.
Carla Folks works at Wyman Frame, a division of Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC). Carla has been a Certified Picture Framer since 1989 and has framed for DRTC since 2013 where she trains/supervises people with disabilities on various projects.
DRTC is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
When partnership turns into family
Anytime you’ve been in a relationship for 15 years, you’re bound to have endured many good times while creating cherished memories. The relationship between Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) and Pelco Products, Inc. is no different.
The two partnered with one another in 2002, expanding DRTC’s Mobile Workforce Program, which sends a team of up to eight individuals with disabilities and a DRTC staff member to various locations to complete projects.
Hard at work
DRTC’s crew has helped package more than 100 various kits for Pelco’s traffic and utility products. These kits, comprised of anywhere from 2-48 pieces, are used to assemble street lights, stop lights and other products made at the traffic and utility hardware manufacturer’s headquarters in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Upon assembly, completed components assembled by DRTC’s skilled workforce are distributed worldwide. Pelco sells products to all 50 states and international markets as well.
Through the 15-year partnership, DRTC’s Mobile Workforce has produced 3.5 million kits for Pelco.
“I don’t know of one kit that ever came back wrong,” said Phil Parduhn, Pelco Co-Owner.
Pelco President & CEO Steve Parduhn added, “There’s been enough kits that every man, woman, child in the state of Oklahoma could have one of these kits.”
15-year anniversary
During a 15-year anniversary celebration, DRTC presented Pelco Products a poster framed at Wyman Frame, a division of DRTC, with the words “You Make a Difference,” signed by members of the Mobile Workforce team.
Pelco’s inclusion of individuals at DRTC is notable, from staff luncheons and activities, signage welcoming the crew, or online as the company demonstrates its commitment to community.
“It’s a joy working with you guys, having you here,” said Steve Parduhn. “Being a part of the Pelco family has been wonderful and we really appreciate it.”
The feeling is mutual from Mobile Workforce participants.
“We are family,” said Chris.
“We do a good job and like working the kits,” said Bonnie.
“We are good employees and we get the kits done,” added Sandra.
“Pelco’s commitment to providing real job opportunities for people with disabilities is something that should be modeled in more places,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash McGoodwin. “They (Pelco) have included our individuals, making them feel welcomed and part of the team.”
New opportunities
While DRTC’s Mobile Workforce completes the kitting jobs at Pelco’s large facility, others on Dale Rogers Training Center’s main campus complete subcontract work, providing more work opportunities for people with disabilities.
Individuals in DRTC’s Vocational Services Program also help kit items up to 19 pieces. Another subcontracting job with Pelco creates jobs for people with disabilities by having them install reflective tape along the edges of massive traffic light borders.
Bright future
As we celebrate the success we’ve had in the past, we continue to look toward the future.
Dale Rogers Training Center is excited for what’s to come with Pelco and the exciting opportunities for those served to develop skills and earn a paycheck.
DRTC, its clients, and their families are eternally grateful for the partnership, and relationships formed over the past 15 years.
About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
