Michael's has 60% off on framing and 75% off next month.

[AjTheGreat]

Michael's craft and framing store has some impressive discounts on special right now, so I took one of my favorite posters in to get an estimate. I noticed 2 things right away.

1. Looking at the pricing before discount, its significantly more then competitors.
2. There pricing is cheaper then competitors in the area. (with discounts)

example: The great frame up (a competitor who I used plenty of times) quoted me $325.00, but Michael's quoted $540.00. (Total and pre-discount)

Great frame up has a 30% coupon....new amount $228. (regular glass).
Michaels has a 65% coupon.......new amount $180. (This includes there masterpiece glass)

While I don't question the great frame up's quality or construction, I have never used Michaels service before. I know people that have and said they were great, and Michael's boasts about there "certified framer's", but it almost seems like they jack up the prices so the discounts are just below the competitors which I thought was weird.

Im wondering if they do this because they dont see as much "framing" business as the Great Frame Up, after all they're a craft store that does framing.  I think I might give it a go.

Anyone here use Michaels before?

[guest4669]

I have used Michaels on three occasions. Once about 10 years ago for two large items (largest was a approx 3' x 4 1/2') and the frames came out great. They were pretty expensive but I didnt know any better. The second was a small picture that came out ok, again equally expensive. After this I started going to an independent framer who was a tad cheaper. Last time I went to Michaels was for a reproduction japanese film poster and they totally botched the job. I had a coupon which is why I went but it still cost about 250 bucks. There are waves all over the place, I didnt bother to take it back. So I guess it just depends on who there does the job. They are really hit or miss...

Luckily for me, I found a great framer in Tijuana that does outstanding work for about 1/3 what it costs here in the US, so I havent looked back.  

[AjTheGreat]

I have used Michaels on three occasions. Once about 10 years ago for two large items (largest was a approx 3' x 4 1/2') and the frames came out great. They were pretty expensive but I didnt know any better. The second was a small picture that came out ok, again equally expensive. After this I started going to an independent framer who was a tad cheaper. Last time I went to Michaels was for a reproduction japanese film poster and they totally botched the job. I had a coupon witch is why I went but it still cost about 250 bucks. There are waves all over the place, I didnt bother to take it back. So I guess it just depends on who there does the job. They are really hit or miss...

Luckily for me, I found a great framer in Tijuana that does outstanding work for about 1/3 what it costs here in the US, so I havent looked back. 

Yeah I was trying to grill the guy to see what he knows, and he seemed qualified. He assured me it would come out great and there would be nothing wrong. They have a good return/refund or repair policy so as long as they dont actually ruin the poster, I think it should be ok to give them a try.

I agree, even with a coupon it seems pretty pricey. For those kind of prices I better not see anything wrong haha.

[erik1925]

And just be sure they don't mount it to any kind of backing board...

That would be awful!  

[guest4669]

I agree. Good luck, dude. As long as you stay on top of it, then it should be all good.

[AjTheGreat]

And just be sure they don't mount it to any kind of backing board...

That would be awful!  

I would go NUTS if they did that haha.

[erik1925]

I would go NUTS if they did that haha.

Can you imagine?? You go in and find that they have used spray adhesive to mount it to a piece of foam core......

It would be a combo of  and 

[AjTheGreat]

I agree. Good luck, dude. As long as you stay on top of it, then it should be all good.

Yeah, Im gonna ask them to confirm that they dont do anything like that haha.

Can you imagine?? You go in and find that they have used spray adhesive to mount it to a piece of foam core......

It would be a combo of  and 

Dam it Jeff, now you're just trying to scare me haha.

[erik1925]

Nah...

Just wanting to make sure you tell 'em exactly what you want done and more importantly, what you do NOT want them to do...  

[AjTheGreat]

Nah...

Just wanting to make sure yo tell 'em exactly what you want done and more importantly, what you do NOT want them to do... 

Good point, im going in there today. Will keep you updated with the details.

[AjTheGreat]

Update: I took them up on there offer, ill post pics when I get it back.

Woo hoo.

[lynaron]

As a former Michaels Farts and Crap framer, I can tell you that some of the folks have a very good knowledge of archival framing, others not so much, as it is a working poor box store.  Just because you talk to someone who is knowledgable doesn't mean that person will actually be the one framing you work.  It's a factory and each day there is a list of the frame work to be completed. I saw good and bad while I was there, mostly good.  Michaels does have a "certified" framer certificate but it one you get by taking a computer program class, which I felt was a waste of time and never bothered with it. If you have any COAs or other documentation, be sure to request it to be pocketed on the dust shield.

As far as pricing. Whooo.  Well, even with my employee discount (25%) it was cheaper for me to use my internet frame supplier (americanframe.com). I also waited for the half off sales and recommended many of my clients to wait a week or so and take advantage of the upcoming sales.  And Michaels, at least in the New Orleans area where I was, did a ton of work.  The frame shop operated on a slightly different level than the arts and crafts merchandise portion.  They do have a pretty good selection of ready mades for certain sizes.  You can get for example, a 16x20 and have a mat only cut to 11x14 and DYI for a lobby card, just depends on your "frame" of mind  .  Hope this is of some help.

[AjTheGreat]

As a former Michaels Farts and Crap framer, I can tell you that some of the folks have a very good knowledge of archival framing, others not so much, as it is a working poor box store.  Just because you talk to someone who is knowledgable doesn't mean that person will actually be the one framing you work.  It's a factory and each day there is a list of the frame work to be completed. I saw good and bad while I was there, mostly good.  Michaels does have a "certified" framer certificate but it one you get by taking a computer program class, which I felt was a waste of time and never bothered with it. If you have any COAs or other documentation, be sure to request it to be pocketed on the dust shield.

As far as pricing. Whooo.  Well, even with my employee discount (25%) it was cheaper for me to use my internet frame supplier (americanframe.com). I also waited for the half off sales and recommended many of my clients to wait a week or so and take advantage of the upcoming sales.  And Michaels, at least in the New Orleans area where I was, did a ton of work.  The frame shop operated on a slightly different level than the arts and crafts merchandise portion.  They do have a pretty good selection of ready mades for certain sizes.  You can get for example, a 16x20 and have a mat only cut to 11x14 and DYI for a lobby card, just depends on your "frame" of mind  .  Hope this is of some help.

I appreciate the info, and yeah I agree that some are good and bad. But luckily the one by me has all positive reviews, you jerks still got me worried though haha. 

I should try americanframe.com, everyone seems to use them.

[CSM]

I should try americanframe.com, everyone seems to use them.

I frame my own posters but use their materials.  They come highly recommended from me

[AjTheGreat]

HOLY F*CKIN SH*T

So I decided to call Michael's and spoke to what sounded like a high schooler just now and asked if they use any adhesive backings or spray adhesive to mount a poster to the backing board. Guess WTF he says.

"Yes we do but sometimes it depends, sometimes we will just staple or screw it down to the frame"....?

Im like are you serious? I dont want any of that happening on my poster, and he replied well we also have an acid free tape that we use that doesn't damage posters or artwork (I read online that this is sometimes common). I asked to speak to the manager who is also the person I was dealing with and is also the framer....they said he will be in tomorrow.  I got the poster with a matte, so would tape be common for framing?

I think Im having a STAGE 5 melt down right now.

[erik1925]

I think I would call them back ASAP, and tell them to do nothing to your poster, until you talk to the manager....

YIKES! 

[AjTheGreat]

I think I would call them back ASAP, and tell them to do nothing to your poster, until you talk to the manager....

YIKES! 

The manager told me it would be 2 weeks because they have to order in the frame, so I dont think it will be touched. In the mean time, they said he will be in tomorrow night so I will be going there to make sure.

Jeff, there shouldnt be anything when framing a medium sized poster right?

[erik1925]

Aj, is this a backed or un-backed poster?

And when you ask if there should be anything for framing that size poster, what do you mean exactly?

[AjTheGreat]

Aj, is this a backed or un-backed poster?

And when you ask if there should be anything for framing that size poster, what do you mean exactly?

Yeah its backed, and what I mean is taping backed posters the standard when framing?

[erik1925]

Yeah its backed, and what I mean is taping backed posters the standard when framing?

If the poster will be sandwiched between a mat and the acid free backing board, and the frame is made to the exact size, I dont know why it would need to be taped, as the would be held securely, once it was all assembled. Did they say they use this archival tape all the time, as a matter of practice? If the archival tape was used on the linen only, and not touching the poster, that would also not pose any problem.

Im sure some others here might chime in, too..

BUT NO STAPLING...lol.. be sure to tell them that!

[AjTheGreat]

If the poster will be sandwiched between a mat and the acid free backing board, and the frame is made to the exact size, I dont know why it would need to be taped, as the would be held securely, once it was all assembled. Did they say they use this archival tape all the time, as a matter of practice? If the archival tape was used on the linen only, and not touching the poster, that would also not pose any problem.

Im sure some others here might chime in, too..

BUT NO STAPLING...lol.. be sure to tell them that!

No they didnt say that they use it all the time, Im hoping this kid was just talking out of his ass haha. Ill find out more tomorrow with the manager I guess, and yeah you make a good point... If its measured correctly and to size there should be no use for tape or staples or screws LOL.

Yes I will make sure to tell them NO STAPLES EVER haha.

[erik1925]

No they didnt say that they use it all the time, Im hoping this kid was just talking out of his ass haha. Ill find out more tomorrow with the manager I guess, and yeah you make a good point... If its measured correctly and to size there should be no use for tape or staples or screws LOL.

Yes I will make sure to tell them NO STAPLES EVER haha.

Yeah.. but the issue is.. had you not called... they could have stapled or screwed your poster into the frame... and that would have had me worried, too.

Good thing you called them, AJ.... whew.

 

[AjTheGreat]

Yeah.. but the issue is.. had you not called... they could have stapled or screwed your poster into the frame... and that would have me worried, too.

Good thing you called them, AJ.... whew.

 

I know, I had this random feeling that I should call and kinda glad I did.....whew is right.

[Neo]

Personally, I just send the measurements to the professional framer folks, and they make the frames, and then I can put my posters in myself.  It's very simple, and the best method, for various reasons, IMO.

Anyway, good luck.

[AjTheGreat]

Personally, I just send the measurements to the professional framer folks, and they make the frames, and then I can put my posters in myself.  It's very simple, and the best method, for various reasons, IMO.

Anyway, good luck.

Thanks man, ill post an update tonight.