Best place to get a cel framed?

Priss-chan · Post by **Priss-chan** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:16 am

I've had this cel since '03, and it's huge -- a full 21" across. But because it's so big, the only place I can store it is in the cardboard thing it came in. It's a lovely cel, and I'd much rather be able to display it (away from the sun, of course). But there's so many places that I could go to to frame it, like Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I'm just wondering, does anyone have a preference as to who to go to? How are the prices?

And just 'cause details are good: the cel is two layers that are partially stuck together, and they are stapled to the background on top.

EDIT: The cel in question:

http://prisschan.rubberslug.com/gallery ... emID=44317

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:46 am

i use fast frame- they are nice people and convenient if you're in a rush.

here's a link:

http://www.fastframe.com/storeLocations/search.php

EternityOfPain · Post by **EternityOfPain** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:44 pm

Caroline wrote:i use fast frame- they are nice people and convenient if you're in a rush.

here's a link:

http://www.fastframe.com/storeLocations/search.php

Interesting, i am only 2 miles away from one locally

. Ill have to remember that if i ever decide to get anything framed...

Edit: check out the post count

http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=devilmv4.jpg

lol

duotrouble · Post by **duotrouble** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:27 pm

The cels I had framed I went to Deck the Walls. They did an awesome job.

However, if I were to go back in time, I wouldn't have framed any of my cels. When you don't have any place in your house that doesn't receive bright sunlight, your beautifully framed cels sit on the floor in a closet not to be seen by anyone.

I've also heard horror stories about framing at Michaels so I personally would avoid them.

Golden Boy · Post by **Golden Boy** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:35 pm

Hi Priss,
Not convenient nor cheap, but the best IMHO:
http://laartexchange.com/home.htm
Check their client list!

Good luck,
gb

cgscelgallery · Post by **cgscelgallery** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:28 pm

I have had a few of my cels framed at Artinsights, they are the only place in my area that specailized in animation art framing, plus I like to look at all their beautiful American animation art thry have.

http://www.artinsights.com/

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:38 pm

I just do all of the framing myself. It definitely takes more time than dropping off your cel at the framers, but I had a HORRIBLE experience with one of them (they basically glued or welded the cel to the matte, which ultimately lead to me RIPPING the cel when I tried to take it out). So, it is cheaper and safer because you know how to handle your cel.

Once you see the first frame, then it would not be difficult to figure out how to do it on your own. I have saved literally thousands of dollars by cutting out the middle man.

I purchase all of my material at American Frame
http://www.americanframe.com/

I use all 100% acid free museum quality mattes and the non-glare UV plexiglass. I used to make wooden frames, but I now prefer using the metal ones because they are more durable, CHEAPER, and they really do enhance the colors of the cel. You don't want too much of a fancy frame. Otherwise, people will look at the frame more than the art inside.
I also normally use 2-3 mattes for the frame. Sometimes I layer 2 on top of the cel and use the 3rd one to space it from the backing board (100% acid free foam board), or, if I have a background, I would use about 2 mattes to separate the cel from he background. Being in Texas, it can get a bit humid. So, I don't want to risk the cel getting stuck to the background.

Hope this advice helps you a bit. Here are some cels that I recently framed with the metal frames. They look MUCH nicer in person, but hey, I am using a cheap digital camera.

Some metal frames
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=210912
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=210612
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=191854
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=205167

Here are some wooden frames that I put together.
http://www.rubberslug.com/user/5f1a2de2 ... Framed.jpg
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=110495

Priss-chan · Post by **Priss-chan** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:38 am

Wow, thanks a lot, everybody! You've been a big help ^_^

I'm in CO, so I don't have to worry too much about humidity. Still, do you think I should put a matte between the cel and the BG, just in case?

Matting it, ugh, I completely spaced that out. Still, it probably would make it look better (as would a metal frame, I agree completely on that).

Again, thanks bunches!

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:25 am

i always space the cel from the bg to let the art breathe, plus it adds a nice effect.

EternityOfPain wrote:
Edit: check out the post count

http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=devilmv4.jpg

lol

make that 667

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:38 pm

star-phoenix ~ The cels look great! Out of curiosity, how much does a 'standard' cel generally cost you to frame through them, doing it yourself?

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:53 pm

Arrow wrote:star-phoenix ~ The cels look great! Out of curiosity, how much does a 'standard' cel generally cost you to frame through them, doing it yourself?

Well, when I did a frame at Michaels (when I first started framing), I was charged the SALE price of $120 for a standard size cel. So, normal price would probably go up to $150-175(?).

For my large size Sesshoumaru Ending cel, I bought 3 Museum mattes (used the 3rd one for the spacer), + UV non-glar plexi-glass, + 100% acid free foam backing + a black metal frame (assembly requires, but not hard), and that came out to about $45-55. So, I saved almost $100 by doing it myself. For my 4 cels that I recently did (all were larger sized cels), I paid about $230 total including shipping. So, that would have probably cost me about $500-ish if I were to have done it at a frame shop.

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:59 am

star-phoenix wrote:when I first started framing), I was charged the SALE price of $120 for a standard size cel. So, normal price would probably go up to $150-175(?).

For my large size Sesshoumaru Ending cel, I bought 3 Museum mattes (used the 3rd one for the spacer), + UV non-glar plexi-glass, + 100% acid free foam backing + a black metal frame (assembly requires, but not hard), and that came out to about $45-55. So, I saved almost $100 by doing it myself. For my 4 cels that I recently did (all were larger sized cels), I paid about $230 total including shipping. So, that would have probably cost me about $500-ish if I were to have done it at a frame shop.

Wow, that really is a saving! I still have dozens of cels I would like to frame some day, including this set (http://arrow.rubberslug.com/gallery/mas ... esID=17127) I would like to put all in one mega frame eventually, so whatever money I can save on framing to spend on more cels works for me.

Thanks for the tips! The only problem is that I live in the UK, so postage may be brutal.

Priss-chan · Post by **Priss-chan** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:10 pm

Ok, maybe I'm nitpicking, but help me out again here XD

My pan cel does have the matching BG, and naturally it's bigger than the cel. But I just want the cel itself visible, not the extra part of the background that's bigger than the cel itself. So on americanframe.com, when it asks for the measurement of the artwork, do I just provide the measurements for the cel itself, or should I include the BG as well?

The BG's not THAT much bigger than the cel, and having the mats should help account for it, but still...I'm just confused

I just wanna make sure that if I order a frame and mats from that site, that the BG doesn't end up getting crushed or something, y'know?

I hope I'm making sense here