When a memorable moment happens, the best way to keep it preserved in memory forever is with a photo.
However, photos stored on your phone won’t do anyone good.
A better solution is to have your photos printed and placed in a picture frame.
The problem with picture frames is that they can be pretty expensive.
Considering that picture frames just hold your photos, you may wonder why they’re so expensive.
Why Are Picture Frames So Expensive? (10 Reasons)
The average cost of a picture frame is around $10.
Certain factors like the frame’s size, whether it has glazing on it, and if you need a custom frame made can make picture frames as expensive as more than $200.
Let’s look at these factors in more detail.
1. Frame Size
The size of the frame is one of the biggest factors that can make it more expensive.
Smaller frames tend to be on the cheaper side.
However, you can sometimes even find small picture frames that cost as much as bigger ones.
That then comes down to the material.
In general, however, the larger the picture frame is, the more expensive it’s going to be.
There are a few reasons size makes picture frames more expensive.
The first reason has to do with production costs.
Larger picture frames typically need more materials.
Since the manufacturer is using more materials to make one larger product, that one product is going to have a higher cost.
They need to buy more materials to make that frame.
Since they’re spending more money, they’re going to charge more for the product.
Another factor is labor cost.
Larger picture frames take a bit longer to make.
If you’re buying the frame from a professional frame maker, then they’re going to need a bit more time to design, sculpt, and fabricate the frame.
Since they’re taking more time on a single product, they’re going to charge for it.
They’re not making money by working on other frames since they’re devoting all their time to your large order.
That also influences the price.
Picture frames are expensive when you buy a large size.
2. Frame Material
Another big factor that determines the price of a picture frame is its material.
A picture frame can use several different materials to make its frame.
The most common is wood.
Wood isn’t always as cheap as some people might think it is.
That’s especially true when lumber prices are high.
If there are shortages occurring or other factors that impact the price of lumber, then you can expect all wood-related products to increase in price, too.
Some wooden frames are more expensive than others because some manufacturers might invest in better wood.
Some might go for a rustic sort of appearance with their frames.
In this regard, they’re very specific about the type of wood that they use.
If it doesn’t have enough knots or doesn’t look distressed enough, then they don’t want it.
This limits their access to wood, which means they tend to spend more money to get the wood that they want.
Besides wood, you’ll also find that metal frames are quite expensive.
Metal frames are often in demand because they’re durable and give a modern appearance to pictures.
They’re usually shiny and metallic and look great in practically any room aesthetic.
You don’t have to worry about your picture frames clashing with the rest of the decor of the room.
The problem with metal frames is that they’re also expensive to source.
Depending on what the metal is, a manufacturer could spend a good amount of money to get it.
The cheapest material is plastic.
It doesn’t always look great, but if you’re budget-conscious, then plastic frames can get you by.
Picture frames are expensive based on the material of the frame.
3. Frame Mounting Costs
A lot of thought goes into the material of the frame when considering the expense behind a picture frame.
However, what goes on behind the frame also matters.
There are several different types of picture frames.
One of them is a frame that comes with some sort of mount.
The mount allows you to either prop up your picture on a surface or hang it on a wall.
Wall mounts tend to be a bit more expensive than counter mounts.
That’s because it requires a bit more engineering.
A wall mount has to be sturdy enough to hold up the picture without falling off.
It also needs to be directly in the center to ensure the frame doesn’t dip to one side while on the wall.
Since it takes a bit more work to get the mounting right, it ends up becoming a bit more expensive.
Mounts that allow the picture frame to rest on a surface also add an expense to the frame.
It’s an additional detail, and materials, that cost the manufacturer more to make.
Since it costs the manufacturer more money, they’re going to charge buyers more for it.
You’ll often find that picture frames that come with mounts are more expensive than pictures that don’t come with mounts.
The ability to hang your pictures on the wall or set them on a table is convenient.
It allows you to show them off in an organized way.
If you want that sort of presentation, then you can expect to pay more for it.
Picture frames are expensive when they have some sort of mount on them.
4. Photo Printing + Frame Services
Some framing companies do more than just build a picture frame for you.
They’ll also allow you to print your photos with them.
The company will call it photo printing and frame services.
In the store, they’ll print your photos on a professional printer.
Then they’ll professionally fit your photo into one of their frames.
You usually have a choice between selecting your own frame or letting them choose one for you.
If you allow them to choose the frame, then they’ll pick one that best goes with the picture itself.
For example, if the picture depicts a beach scene, then they might choose a frame that reflects that sort of beach aesthetic.
This makes their services more expensive for a few reasons.
The first is that it means they’re spending more time on your order.
If you’re having them choose the frame for you, they have to look through their entire collection to find one that fits.
That will take a while.
You’ll get charged for that time.
Secondly, you’re basically paying for two services in one.
You’ll have to pay a charge to use their printer.
Since they use high-quality ink and paper, you can expect that to be on the expensive side, too.
The benefit of having photo printing and framing services is that your photos come out looking great.
There’s a bit of a difference between having a professional frame your photo and doing it yourself.
They also ensure that your photo is secure within the frame.
Since some frames require you to screw the photo into them, the company can take care of all that for you.
They ensure that your photo is secure and looks great.
Picture frames are expensive when you order photo printing services alongside your frame services.
5. Packaging Costs
Packaging costs can also impact the price of your picture frame.
Picture frames are usually delicate.
They use thin wood or thin metal.
Even plastic picture frames can chip or crack when mishandled.
As such, when shipping frames, a lot of thought goes into their packaging.
Manufacturers will spend a good amount of money to ensure they have enough packaging material to keep the picture frame safe.
Not only does the frame need to refrain from cracking, but the picture itself needs to be safe.
A lot of work goes into protecting the pane that rests over the photo, so the photo stays protected.
The last thing any manufacturer wants is for the picture frame to get damaged on the way.
You might open it up and find that your precious photos have also received damaged.
It could very well be that you don’t have backups for that particular photo.
Besides investing heavily in ensuring they’re using high-quality packaging, manufacturers also want their packaging to look great.
If you buy your picture frame from a frame company, they tend to go a bit above and beyond.
They want you to remember the experience of buying a frame from them.
As such, they might put your picture frame in a fancy box or use some sort of decorative packaging.
That’s an expensive way to package a product, too.
Since it costs them more money to ensure the safe arrival of a picture frame, the manufacturer charges more money.
6. Custom Frames
A big factor that can make your picture frames expensive is whether they’re custom or not.
Custom-made picture frames are going to be more expensive than mass-produced frames.
When you go to a store that sells picture frames, you’ll find that the prices tend to be a bit cheaper for frames that manufacturers make in bulk.
That’s because they’re able to run them through the factory at a fast rate.
Even professional frame makers will have slightly cheaper prices on frames of standard sizes.
They likely have a few things automated or build them in their spare time to have them ready to go.
That’s because there’s a high likelihood that someone is going to need that specific size for their photo.
Custom frames, on the other hand, aren’t mass-produced.
They can’t be since they’re made to order.
When you have a unique photo, you usually need a unique frame.
Photos that are either super tall or super long won’t fit in a standard frame.
Even photos that are more artistic in design and don’t take the regular rectangular shape will likely need a custom frame.
This becomes more expensive because the frame maker has to build a frame specifically for your photo.
You essentially get special attention from them.
Since they’re focusing on your frame alone, they’re going to charge you for that sort of focus.
Custom frames might also require them to use more materials.
If they’re using more materials to make your frame, then they’re going to charge you more as well.
They’re taking on higher costs, so they’re going to cover their costs by charging you more money.
Custom frames can also refer to the material.
You might want something different beyond the standard plastic, wood, or metal frames.
In this case, the frame maker has to source that material.
That also adds to the cost.
Picture frames are expensive when you need a custom one made.
7. Glazing Costs
Another big factor that makes picture frames expensive is the glazing.
The panel that rests over your picture frame is more important than you realize.
Some might think it merely exists to ensure dirty hands don’t smudge the photo.
While that is a benefit, it isn’t always the reason for the panel.
The panel usually has some sort of glaze on it.
Depending on your budget, you can choose some of the more expensive glazes.
One of the most important glazes is UV protection.
If you choose this glaze, the frame maker will use a panel that offers UV protection.
This allows you to put your photo in a place that gets sun without worrying about the image fading.
If you were to put the photo in a place that gets sun without UV protection, then you’d be risking your photo.
Sunlight makes a photo fade with time.
Eventually, you wouldn’t be able to see what’s in your picture.
Other glazes might help protect against oxidation or water exposure.
Whatever glaze you choose, you can expect it to cost more than just a simple plastic panel.
Picture frames are expensive when you choose a more advanced glaze.
8. Molding Costs
The small decorations or art on a frame matter when you want a decorative piece.
They’re called molding.
If you want a custom piece, then you’re usually looking at getting some custom molding work.
Molding can become very expensive depending on the frame maker.
If it’s a frame that’s mass-produced, then having a molding on the frame will likely only make it a bit more expensive.
If you’re going to a professional frame maker, however, you can expect molding services to be more expensive.
You’re essentially paying an artist to create some sort of artistic design on the frame.
Since you’re paying for a service that you can’t get anywhere else, they’re going to charge you for it.
9. Backing
The backing of your frame also matters.
If you use just standard backing, there’s a chance that your photo will yellow with time.
Professional frame makers will use a special type of backing that prevents yellowing.
Since it’s a bit more expensive, you can expect to pay more for it.
The benefit is that your photos will essentially last for a very long time.
If you care about your photos, then you’ll take the added expense to ensure you get the right backing.
10. Labor And Expertise Costs
A final reason picture frames are expensive comes down to labor costs.
In particular, if you’re using the services of an expert, then you’re going to pay expert prices.
Experts charge a lot of money because they provide services that others can’t match.
The quality of their work is incredible.
When you get a product from an expert, it’s usually built to last.
It just looks different.
However, you’re also paying for their expertise.
Some frame makers have been in the business for decades and come from a line of frame makers.
Their businesses might have several hundred years’ worth of experience under their belts.
That comes with expensive prices.
Conclusion
Picture frames are a great way to elevate and show off your photos.
However, due to frame materials, expert services, and the other reasons listed above, picture frames can become pretty expensive.
