Home Book of Picture Framing

I was frankly surprised to see this book get anything but five-star reviews, but I suppose it depends on where you're coming from. I'm a cabinetmaker, and my wife and I went to Hawaii on our 25th anniversary in 2001. I saw a map of the Sandwich Islands that I loved. Unframed it was $95. Framed in koa wood, it was $795.I told my wife that I could go home, get a book on matting and framing, and for what they were going to charge for the one item, I could frame it and the other things we'd purchased as souvenirs. And that's just what I did. Interestingly enough, koa wood is very expensive. At that time I paid $26 a board foot for it. I purchased two boards which cost me $700, but from them I made six frames. I have no idea of what the price would be today.I spent over a week going through this book. I studied it like I was preparing for a test, taking notes and so forth. Personally, I found it enormously helpful, but perhaps it was geared to people like me. I do know that I have just purchased a second copy which I mean to give to a friend of ours. She is a fledgling photographer who is starting to get some notice. However, she has her photos matted, and the person doing the job is terrible. This book will set her straight.I can honestly say that I have gotten raves for my matting over the years. And I learned every bit of it from this book. I like the mat cutter he used and got one for myself. It's easy to work with, but again, as a cabinetmaker I do much more complex things, so I may not be a fair judge of it. I just know it works for me, and I would recommend it to anyone starting out in the field. As for the matting, there is a whole method to which mats to use and how to use them, all of which I got from this book. Finally, for those who may not be able to make their own molding, the author sets forth several methods of work.Again, what works for me may not work for others. But since I was getting this book for a friend, I thought I'd give my two cents on the subject.

I purchased this book based on the positive comments left by the other reviewers here. This is a wonderful book. Possibly the best how-to-book on any subject I have read. The text is easy to follow and the pictures used to clarify the text were obviously selected with a great deal of care. I can not stress the choice of photographs used to illustrate this book enough, they are superb. The book explains each process in a systematic manner. You are never left with the feeling that something is missing. From the table of contents to the index, the quality of this book comes through. The address, telephone numbers, email, and description of services for 85 different suppliers are listed. It even covers the economics of purchasing ready-made frames at discount prices. This is truly a comprehensive work on framing for the novice and intermediate framer. This is one book purchase you will never regret.

I was looking to acquire enough information to start framing a couple of items, and so wanted a book that would discuss the basics in detail. This book takes a more general introductory approach, including chapters on woodworking basics and various types of framing jobs--ideal for someone with no background looking to start framing as a hobby or business. If you have some woodworking background and know what type of framing you want to do, you should probably look elsewhere. However, if you want an introduction to the overall practice of framing, the types of tools and skills required, and are ready to pursue other information for deeper coverage, it's a good starting place.

This book covers just about everything on framing, but it doesn't really give you a feel for the whole process of framing. The topics really don't build well on each other and there's nowhere to get an overall perspective on doing a complete framing job. The author rightfully is trying not to be too prescriptive but he just presents so many options that you never get a good feel for what you should do. If you are into making frames though I think that part of the book works pretty well.

Author writes from first hand experience and adds in good technical details. Good examples of using common tools and professional tools to create desired results. Many examples and pictures to show how to perform each step. Many areas of framing, matting, and hanging the art are covered. Many references to the best practices are included. Overall a very well written reference book. A great place to start, but include a lot of extra material so the intermediate framer will get a lot out of this book also.

You can save a fortune matting and framing your own photos, posters and other art work. There's a bit of up-front cost getting the tools, but they are rapidly paid for in the cost savings. This book shows what you need and how to do it to enhance the subject matter. The opportunities for customization are practically endless. Lots of great ideas here.

Order a new book. Looks used. Pages are folded over.

Focused more on commercial framers which was interesting but not my situation or the inference of the title. Also a bit dated in terms of styles and references. Clearly pre-internet.

Book and service were as ststed

This is a great intro. to picture framing.Kenn chats away, demystifying and explaining the whole process of framing and mounting with a sense of humour.I would recommend.

Everything you need to know and more, now I just have to get my husband to get making the frames!

Looked good when I got it but within a week the ok started falling apart, looks like it had been wet at one time

Can't say I would recommend it to anyone. Why? First of all it seems a little dated - not necessarily the content but the book style. It's all in B&W - no colour illustrations at all. Secondly, it's written by an American author so not always relevant to those of us in the UK.A far better book on this subject is written by Andy Parks (Frames and Framing)