Framing That Respects the Value of What You're Protecting
Custom Framing in Show Low for artwork, memorabilia, and personal collections requiring archival-quality presentation
A certificate exposed to direct sunlight in the White Mountains fades within eighteen months without UV-protective glazing, and improper matting techniques create acid burns that permanently discolor the paper underneath. Kittle's Art & Supply provides custom framing throughout Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake, and surrounding areas with attention to both preservation standards and design choices that complement your space. The framing process involves selecting materials based on what the piece requires structurally and what your display environment demands.
Custom framing addresses the challenge of presenting keepsakes, photographs, original artwork, and certificates in ways that prevent damage while matching the style of the room where they'll hang. The service includes frame molding selection from wood, metal, and specialty finishes, mat board options in various colors and textures, and glazing choices that range from standard glass to conservation-grade UV-filtering acrylic. Each decision affects how the piece looks under your lighting conditions and how long the materials inside remain intact.
Schedule a consultation to review framing options for your specific piece and display location.
What Proper Framing Requires Beyond the Frame Itself
Custom framing begins with evaluating the piece itself—its size, material composition, sentimental or monetary value, and where it will be displayed. Kittle's Art & Supply walks through frame style options that align with home decor styles, office environments, gallery presentations, or gift purposes, then discusses matting configurations that create visual separation between the artwork and the frame edge. The mat serves a functional role by preventing the glazing from touching the surface of the piece, which can trap moisture and cause mold growth in humid conditions or condensation during seasonal temperature shifts common in the White Mountains.
Once framing is complete, you'll notice the piece sits evenly within the frame without wavering or slipping, the colors appear more vivid against the selected mat, and the glazing eliminates glare from specific angles in your room. Certificates no longer curl at the edges, photographs stay flat without buckling, and original artwork remains protected from airborne particles and handling contact. The frame itself becomes part of the room's design rather than a distracting element.
The framing process also includes guidance on hanging hardware appropriate for wall types common in the region, whether drywall, log home construction, or plaster. Backing materials seal the rear of the frame to prevent dust infiltration and insect entry, which matters in areas with dry, dusty conditions for much of the year. Wire, sawtooth hangers, or D-ring hardware gets selected based on frame weight and final placement.
Questions Local Customers Ask About Framing Services
The framing decisions you make directly affect how long your piece lasts and how it looks in the specific lighting and humidity conditions of your home or office.
What type of glass should I choose for a piece displayed near a window?
UV-filtering acrylic blocks up to ninety-nine percent of ultraviolet light, which is the primary cause of fading in photographs and paper-based artwork, and it weighs significantly less than glass for larger frames.
How does matting prevent damage to the artwork?
The mat creates a buffer zone that keeps the glazing from touching the surface of the piece, preventing moisture traps and pressure marks that occur when materials rest directly against glass or acrylic under changing temperatures.
Why do frame styles vary so much in cost?
Frame molding is priced by material composition, profile width, and finish complexity—solid hardwood frames with hand-applied gilding cost more than composite frames with simpler finishes, and wider profiles require more material for larger pieces.
Can I frame irregular items like sports jerseys or three-dimensional keepsakes?
Shadow box framing accommodates items with depth by using a deeper frame profile and creating a recessed display area, often with mounting hardware that holds the item securely without damaging the fabric or surface.
What should I bring to a framing consultation in Show Low?
Bring the piece you want framed, measurements of the wall space where it will hang, and photos of the room if possible so frame and mat selections can be coordinated with existing colors and design elements in your home or office.
Kittle's Art & Supply works with local artists, homeowners, and businesses throughout the White Mountains to create framing solutions that protect meaningful pieces and complement the spaces they occupy. Bring your artwork, photographs, or memorabilia to the store for personalized framing assistance and material selection based on your specific display needs.
KITTLE'S FINE ART FRAMING SERVICES
A Wide Selection of Beautiful Frames for Your Custom Framing Project
Kittle’s Fine Art & Supply Company offers extensive custom framing and a selection of custom frames with many beautiful frame options, a multitude of colors and textures of mats, and several glass options as well.
Larson Juhl Custom Frames
We only use the highest quality Larson Juhl products to ensure you are getting the best final custom framing product for your artwork and memories. Our resident artist and frame maker will walk you through the process of choosing frame stock, mats, and glass for your pieces.
If you need a canvas stretched or an existing frame repaired, come see us and we will help you get the job done. Our custom framing mission is to give our customers superior craftsmanship, quality product, and a great value to display and protect your treasured pictures and artwork.
More Information about Custom Framing
For more information about Kittle’s Fine Art & Supply Company’s custom-framing services, phone (928) 207-5350, or bring your art by the store located at 100 N. White Mountain Rd., Suite 101, Show Low, AZ 85901, and we can provide you an estimate once you have chosen your custom frame, mat, and glass. For general questions, you can also complete our contact form and we will respond promptly.