How do I describe a hand-finished closed-corner frame to my framer?
Quick answer
Ask for a closed-corner frame: joined first and finished after, as one piece, so the finish runs unbroken across the corners. Then name the finish (color and sheen, e.g. warm grey, satin), the profile and width, and any liner or fillet. Most frame shops order closed-corner frames from makers rather than build them.
The question
On a framing forum, an artist who had just started selling paintings framed described exactly what they wanted: a handmade wooden frame with closed corners, hand-painted in a warm grey with a satin finish, nothing distressed. They were happy to pay for it, but kept getting stuck on the terms when emailing their framer. Here are the terms, and an order line you can copy.
The words framers use
- Closed-corner
- A frame that is joined first and finished after, as one piece, so the finish runs unbroken across the corners. A frame made from moulding that was finished beforehand is cut and joined after finishing, so the corner joint stays visible.
- Profile
- The shape of the frame's edge seen from the side: flat, scooped, stepped or beveled.
- Width
- How wide the face of the frame is, usually given in inches.
- Finish
- The color and how it is applied: hand-painted, stained or gilded.
- Sheen
- How much the finish shines: matte, satin or gloss.
- Lip
- A narrow inner edge finished in its own color. Our Finish 5G, for example, is Soft Black with a Smooth Gold Lip.
- Liner
- An inner frame between the painting and the frame, often wrapped in linen. Also called a slip.
- Fillet
- A thin strip, often gold, that sits just inside the frame or liner.
- Rabbet depth
- The depth of the recess at the back that holds the art. It has to fit the thickness of your canvas or panel.
A sample order line you can copy
“Closed-corner frame, 2-inch flat profile, hand-painted warm grey, satin sheen, ivory linen liner with a thin gold fillet, to fit a 24 × 30 in. canvas, 7/8 in. deep.”
Swap in your own colors and sizes. Give the size of the artwork, not of the frame, and its depth, so the rabbet fits.
Closed-corner vs. cut-and-joined
| Cut and joined from finished moulding | Closed-corner | |
|---|---|---|
| Order of work | Finished first, then cut and joined | Joined first, then finished as one piece |
| At the corner | The joint stays visible | The finish runs unbroken across the corner |
| Finish | Whatever the moulding came in | Applied to the whole frame after joining |
Our frames: any finish of your choosing
- Closed-corner construction. Joined first, then finished.
- Hand-finished frames. Many of our wood frames are still carved by hand.
- Built to your specifications. Standard and custom sizes.
- Any finish of your choosing. See the Finishes Gallery.
Selling your work? Buy wholesale
Working artists and photographers who sell their work can buy our gallery-quality, hand-finished frames wholesale. Fill out the registration form to become a wholesale dealer; we send login credentials so you can view pricing and place orders online. Please have your resale number available. The minimum order is $100.00 plus freight/shipping.
Related: Why don’t the corners match on my patterned frame?
Questions about closed-corner frames? Call 619-423-2929 or email sandiegoframeco@aol.com.