Whether custom framing is worth the money depends on several factors, including the value and significance of the item being framed, your personal preferences, and your budget.

Here are some considerations to help you make a decision:

1. Protection and Preservation: Custom framing often provides better protection and preservation for your items compared to off-the-shelf frames. Custom framers use acid-free materials, UV-protective glass or acrylic, and archival techniques to safeguard your artwork or memorabilia from damage, fading, and deterioration over time. If you have valuable or sentimental pieces, custom framing can help ensure their longevity.
   
   

2. Aesthetics and Display: Custom framing allows you to choose from a wide range of frame styles, mat colours, and mounting options. This flexibility enables you to create a tailored display that perfectly complements the artwork or memorabilia and enhances its visual appeal. Custom framing also allows for unique customization options and special touches, such as engraved plaques or multiple openings for a collage effect.
   
   

3. Expertise and Guidance: Professional framers have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the framing process. They can offer advice on frame selection, matting, mounting techniques, and design considerations. Custom framers can help you make informed decisions that best showcase and protect your items, ensuring a result that meets your vision and expectations.
   
   

4. Unique and Irreplaceable Items: If you have one-of-a-kind or irreplaceable items, custom framing can provide added peace of mind. Professional framers understand the importance of preserving the integrity of such items and can recommend archival techniques that will protect them while showcasing their uniqueness.
   
   

5. Value and Investment: Custom framing can enhance the perceived value of your artwork or memorabilia. A well-designed and professionally framed piece can significantly elevate its overall presentation, potentially increasing its aesthetic and financial value. If you plan to display or sell your items in the future, custom framing can contribute to their desirability and attractiveness.
   
   

6. Budget Considerations: Custom framing tends to be more expensive than purchasing pre-made frames. The cost varies depending on the size, complexity, and materials used. If you have a tight budget or you're framing less valuable items, pre-made frames may be a more economical option. We have a selection of stock frames that we make in-house and are discounted that can be sometimes used. You have the option of using UV glass and acid-free materials. However, it's important to remember that custom framing offers additional benefits and customization options that may justify the higher cost.

Memorabilia framing is a specialized form of picture framing that involves displaying and preserving cherished items, such as sports jerseys, concert tickets, autographed items, awards, medals, and other memorabilia. Unsure where to begin and what to do?  Foremost, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of trusting your local professional custom framers with your prized sports possessions and family heirlooms.  We do not send your precious signed hockey jersey or your antique treasures away to be framed elsewhere as we complete all projects in-house. It's great to enjoy and share your important treasures rather than leaving them tucked away in that drawer or trunk forgotten and lost.

Here are some tips and considerations for framing memorabilia:

1. Select the Right Frame and Display Case: Choose a frame that complements the item and fits well with the overall style and decor. Depending on the item's size and depth, you may need a shadow box frame or a display case to provide enough space for the memorabilia and any accompanying elements.

2. Use Acid-Free Materials: To protect the memorabilia from deterioration, use acid-free matting, backing boards, and mounting materials. Acid-free materials prevent discolouration, yellowing, and damage over time.

3. Arrange and Mount the Items Carefully: With the help of a qualified designer plan the layout of the memorabilia and any accompanying pieces, such as photos, plaques, objects or descriptive labels. Ensuring that the items are securely mounted, using acid-free mounting techniques like archival corners or adhesive, we attach objects using special tools, invisible threads and special wire while being mindful not to damage or alter the memorabilia in the process.

4. Conservation Framing: If the memorabilia holds significant monetary or sentimental value, consider conservation framing techniques. Conservation framing uses UV-protective glass or acrylic to shield the items from harmful ultraviolet light, preventing fading and damage. It also involves using reversible mounting methods that can be easily undone if necessary.

5. Matting and Background: Matting adds depth and visual appeal to the display. Choose a mat color that complements the item and consider layering multiple mats to create depth and separation between the memorabilia and the frame. Additionally, select a background colour or texture that enhances the overall presentation.

6. Handling and Cleaning: When handling the memorabilia, use clean, dry hands or wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints or smudges. Regularly dust the frame and glass gently with a soft, lint-free cloth to keep it clean. If necessary, use a non-abrasive cleaner specifically designed for frames or glass.

7. Secure Mounting: Ensure that the frame has appropriate hanging hardware, such as D-rings and wire or wall buddies that are securely attached to the back. It should be able to support the weight of the frame and the memorabilia. If the item is heavy or delicate, consult with a professional framer to ensure proper mounting and installation.

8. Information and Labeling: Consider including descriptive labels or plaques that provide information about the memorabilia, such as the event, date, or significance. This adds context and enhances the storytelling aspect of the display.

9. Customization and Personalization: Memorabilia framing allows for customization to suit your preferences. You can choose from different frame styles, mat colours, and background options. Additionally, you can add personalized touches like engraved plaques or special cutouts in the matting.

10. Professional Assistance: If you have valuable or delicate memorabilia, or if you're unsure about the framing process, consider seeking professional assistance from a reputable framing shop. Professional framers have the expertise and experience to handle your memorabilia with care and provide guidance on the best framing techniques.

Remember to protect your framed memorabilia from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme temperature changes to prevent damage. With proper framing and display, you can showcase your cherished memorabilia while preserving their condition for years to come.

Photo restoration services can help you bring old, damaged, or faded photographs back to life. These services utilize digital tools and techniques to repair and enhance the quality of the image. Here are some key points about photo restoration services:

1. Repairing Damage: Photo restoration can fix various types of damage, such as scratches, tears, creases, water damage, stains, and fading. Skilled professionals use digital editing software to carefully restore the damaged areas of the photograph.

2. Color Correction: Faded or discoloured photos can be restored to their original vibrancy. Photo restoration experts can adjust colour levels, remove colour casts, and restore accurate tones to make the image look natural and vibrant again.

3. Removing Blemishes: Unwanted marks, spots, or blemishes on the photo's surface can be removed through careful retouching techniques. This includes eliminating dust, stains, mold, or other imperfections that may have accumulated over time.

4. Restoring Details: Photo restoration services can help bring back lost details and sharpness to the image. This can include enhancing facial features, improving texture and clarity, and recovering fine details that may have been obscured or damaged.

5. Reconstructing Missing Parts: If a photo has significant damage or missing portions, restoration experts can reconstruct those missing parts using advanced digital techniques. This may involve recreating missing areas based on surrounding details or using reference images provided by the client.

6. Digital Archiving: Photo restoration services often provide digital archiving options, allowing you to preserve your restored images in a high-resolution digital format. This helps safeguard the restored photographs for future generations and allows for easy sharing and printing.

7. Customization and Editing: Some restoration services offer additional customization options, such as cropping, resizing, removing unwanted objects, or combining elements from multiple photos. These services can help you achieve specific aesthetic or compositional preferences.

When choosing a photo restoration service, it's essential to work with a reputable provider with experienced professionals who specialize in photo restoration.  

Learn more and see examples of J & S work here: https://www.jandspicture.com/photo-restoration/

1. Choose the Right Frame: Consider the style, colour, and material of the frame. It should complement the artwork or photo while also fitting with the overall aesthetic of the room where it will be displayed. It’s main purpose is to protect the artwork or the object that you are framing

2. Matting: Adding a mat can enhance the presentation of your artwork it also lets your artwork or needle work breath. When you use matting it lifts the glass off of the artwork of needle work.Use acid-free mats to prevent yellowing and damage over time. The designer will help and advise you on the size of the mat in poportion to the artwork and the size of the finished piece. Mounting: Use acid-free mounting materials, such as archival photo corners or acid-free tape, to attach the artwork to the backing board. This helps to keep it in place without causing any damage.

3. Conservation Framing: If you have valuable or irreplaceable artwork, consider conservation framing. This involves using acid-free and UV-protective materials to prevent fading, discolouration, and deterioration over time.

4. Proper Handling: When framing, we make sure to handle the artwork with clean hands or wear cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints or smudges. Be gentle and avoid touching the surface of the artwork directly.

5. Hanging Hardware: We ensure that your frame has appropriate hanging hardware, such as D-rings and wire or wall buddies that are securely attached to the back. This will make it easier to hang the frame evenly on the wall.

6. Display Location: Consider the lighting conditions and environment where the framed picture will be displayed. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause fading. Also, keep the artwork away from areas with high humidity or extreme temperature changes.

7. Level and Placement: Use a level to ensure that your frame is straight when hanging it. Consider the height and placement of the picture on the wall, keeping in mind the surrounding decor and furniture.

8. Grouping and Arrangement: If you have multiple frames to hang, experiment with different arrangements to create an appealing display. You can try arranging them in a grid pattern, a gallery wall style, or in a staggered formation.

9. Cleaning and Maintenance: Never spray a glass cleaner onto the glass in the frame. Spray your cloth and then wipe the glass. Regularly dust your framed artwork with a soft, lint-free cloth to keep it clean. If needed, use a non-abrasive cleaner specifically designed for frames or glass.