Custom framing in the US typically runs $100–$300 for a medium-size piece at a craft-store framing counter, $55–$200+ at online services, and considerably less from direct made-to-order workshops — for the same materials. The spread comes from labor and retail overhead, not the frame. Here's the full picture for 2026.
Typical prices by option
| Where | Typical range (16x20 print) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Michaels custom framing | $100–$400+ before promotions | Frequent 50–60% off framing sales — the list price assumes you'll wait for one |
| Hobby Lobby | $80–$300+ | Similar promotion-driven pricing |
| Local frame shop | $150–$600+ | Hand work and consultation; widest quality range |
| Framebridge-style mail-in | $55–$200+ | You ship the art; fixed-price tiers |
| Online made-to-order (your art stays home) | Often a third or less of counter quotes | You enter exact dimensions; frame ships ready to hang |
Ranges are typical advertised prices as of 2026 and shift with promotions — treat them as orientation, not quotes.
What you're actually paying for
Four inputs set every framing price: size (moulding length plus glazing area), moulding choice (the biggest lever — slim painted wood vs wide hardwood), matting (a bevel-cut conservation mat adds a little cost and a lot of polish — see picture mats), and glazing (standard clear is included most places; UV and anti-glare upgrades are where counter quotes balloon).
Why framing-counter quotes run high
A custom framing counter prices in retail rent, staff time per consultation, and the chain's margin — then discounts heavily during sales. An online workshop cuts the same moulding to the same fraction-of-an-inch with those overheads spread across far more frames, which is why the everyday price can undercut a craft store's sale price.
Getting an exact price in seconds
Every frame we make is cut to order and dispatched in 2–5 working days with glazing, backing board, and hanging hardware included. Pick a finish on our picture frames page, enter your exact dimensions, and the price updates instantly — no consultation, no waiting for a sale. For a full custom framing job, frame and mat together, price it in the designer.