May 09, 2022

At Frames & Stretchers, we specialize in designing custom picture frames for photography in the East Village NYC. Combining expert craftsmanship, museum-quality materials, and personalized service, we help photographers, collectors, and galleries present their work with the highest level of care and professionalism. Whether you’re framing a fine art photo, a limited edition print, or a cherished personal image, our framing solutions are carefully crafted to enhance, protect, and display your photography beautifully and securely.
Our East Village clients include a vibrant mix of photographers, collectors, galleries, interior designers, and residents who seek both aesthetic excellence and archival-quality preservation. We understand that each photograph tells a unique story and deserves a frame that not only complements its visual style but also ensures long-term protection. From sleek, contemporary minimalist designs to richly detailed, ornate gilded frames, our custom picture framing options are as diverse as the artworks we handle.
Why Custom Picture Frames Matter for Fine Art Photography
Photography is a unique and powerful medium that captures light, emotion, and moments frozen in time. A frame does much more than simply enclose a photo—it supports the physical integrity of the artwork, highlights the artist’s vision, and safeguards the print against environmental factors that can cause deterioration.
For photographers, collectors, and galleries in the East Village and throughout New York City, custom framing is essential to preserving the longevity and enhancing the presentation of photographic works. Our framing solutions include UV-protective glazing: specialized acrylic or glass options that significantly reduce fading and color shifts caused by exposure to sunlight or artificial light; archival mats and backing: acid-free materials that prevent chemical damage and yellowing over time; precision float or mat hinging: careful mounting techniques that create a clean, professional appearance while protecting the print; closed corner or welded steel frames: durable construction options that provide exceptional structural integrity and a seamless look.
Each frame we build is hand-crafted to museum standards, with tailored finishes, inlays, and mounting techniques designed to suit your artwork’s needs and style.

Custom Picture Frames For Photography in the East Village NYC
East Village Photography Framing Spotlight: Xan Padrón’s “Time Lapse” Series
One of our recent projects involved framing a piece from Galician photographer and composer Xan Padrón (@xanpadron), renowned for his cinematic Time Lapse series. These photographs uniquely capture the rhythm and flow of everyday life around the world, encapsulating both time and movement in stunning detail.
His print, titled “Time Lapse Boston Street, Boston”, is a 30” x 40” Satin Pearl photo print that was expertly framed in our East Village studio with these custom specifications: acid-free museum board mat hinging, providing a clean 1-inch archival margin around the image; custom cherry wood closed corner frame with a whitewash finish, adding warmth and subtle texture to the presentation; Optium Museum Acrylic glazing, chosen for its superior UV protection and anti-reflective clarity that showcases the photo’s sharp detail without glare.
This framing method is ideal for photographers and collectors who want to present their work with a professional finish while ensuring it remains protected and vibrant for years to come.
Reinforcing Artwork with Custom Strainers and Hanging Solutions
Large photographic prints or those framed with heavier glazing often require extra structural support. At Frames & Stretchers, we provide custom strainering solutions—internal reinforcements that secure the artwork’s flatness and stabilize the frame’s weight over time. This is especially important for museum-quality presentation and for pieces that will be frequently handled or moved.
We also offer a wide range of installation hardware options tailored to your display environment, including D-rings for simple and secure hanging; Z cleats for flush mounting, perfect for galleries; Beehive hangers for weight distribution and stability; security hanging systems for public exhibitions or high-traffic locations.
Whether you’re preparing for a gallery show, private collection display, or home installation in the East Village, we ensure your photography is hung safely and elegantly.

Custom Frame Design: Maple Splines, Inlays & More
Our custom picture frames go beyond basic designs. For clients interested in adding unique, artisanal touches, we offer enhancements such as maple or walnut corner splines, adding both structural strength and decorative flair; wood inlays along the face of the frame for intricate detailing; a choice of finishes including satin, matte, or hand-rubbed textures; custom color-matched stains to perfectly complement the photograph’s palette or your interior design scheme.
One standout East Village project featured a walnut frame with delicate maple splines and a subtle maple inlay, showcasing the dedication to craftsmanship and detail that Frames & Stretchers is known for.

Gilded and Hand-Painted Frames for Fine Art Photography
For photographers seeking timeless elegance or those working with black-and-white and historical prints, we specialize in custom gilded frames and hand-painted finishes. These options bring a classical sophistication that enhances the photographic artwork’s depth and character.
Our gilded frame offerings include traditional 22k gold leaf, elegant silver or champagne leaf, and custom patinas to create antique or weathered finishes.
All gilded and painted frames are meticulously hand-finished in our New York studio by artisans experienced in balancing aesthetics with the specific preservation needs of photographic prints.

More Than Framing: Full-Service Support for Artists and Collectors
Frames & Stretchers provides a broad range of complementary services for photographers, curators, collectors, and interior designers, including canvas stretching using museum-grade stretcher bars for photographic prints on canvas; archival mounting and matting tailored specifically for fine art photography; onsite art installation in NYC and Miami, ensuring your pieces are displayed perfectly; Plexiglas boxes and acrylic display cases for 3D photography, lightboxes, and mixed media; art crating and international shipping coordination for safe transport anywhere; art storage and racking systems designed for galleries and studios.
Our expert team offers on-site consultations at homes, galleries, or studios to develop the ideal framing and installation solutions tailored to your artwork and environment.
Locations in NYC, Miami, and New Haven
Frames & Stretchers has a long-standing presence in the East Village and Lower East Side of NYC. Our commitment to quality and service has led us to expand to Wynwood in Miami and New Haven, Connecticut. Each location is staffed with knowledgeable designers and fabricators who deliver local expertise with national reach.
Whether you’re an East Village photographer preparing for a gallery exhibition or a collector shipping framed artwork across the country, we’re equipped to support every stage of your project—from custom fabrication to final delivery.

Handpainted Frames NYC
Why Photographers Choose Frames & Stretchers in NYC
Photographers trust Frames & Stretchers because we combine museum-level quality, client-first service, and design-driven options. Every frame is tailored specifically for your print’s surface, fragility, and display conditions.
Whether you’re printing on Satin Pearl paper, archival rag, or metallic finishes, we customize your frame based on the photo paper’s surface and fragility, the lighting and environment where the piece will be displayed, and your personal aesthetic and exhibition goals.
We never use mass-produced moldings. Every frame is handcrafted in our studio, built to last, and designed to complement your vision as an artist or collector.
Request a Custom Quote for Photography Framing in NYC
Are you a photographer, gallerist, or collector looking for custom picture frames for photography in the East Village NYC? Contact Frames & Stretchers today to schedule a free consultation or request a personalized quote. Let us help you protect and showcase your photography with care, style, and archival integrity.
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Each custom frame is handcrafted in our Wynwood workshop, where precision and design come together to meet the needs of artists, galleries, and collectors across Miami. From arched and round frames to fully custom welded and wood designs, we offer framing solutions that highlight each artwork’s individuality while ensuring lasting protection.
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At Frames and Stretchers Miami, we specialize in designing and fabricating custom frames that merge craftsmanship and creativity. For the El Monte exhibition at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), our Wynwood team created custom arch frames, circular frames, and wood panels with appliqués, all built to museum-quality standards.
Each custom frame is handcrafted in our Wynwood workshop, where precision and design come together to meet the needs of artists, galleries, and collectors across Miami. From arched and round frames to fully custom welded and wood designs, we offer framing solutions that highlight each artwork’s individuality while ensuring lasting protection.