Creative by Design is a custom high volume picture framing company. The emphasis is on custom. What you want, when you want it, priced how you want it. The lynch pin is service.

  Our intention is to expedite your decorative art decision with free consulting, sourcing artwork and samples as well as providing on budget quotes. The following dialogue takes you through a decorative art order and describes how Creative by Design fits in.

    Effective Communications

  It's given that for a successful project, excellent communications and planning are necessary. To make sure that you have all the bases covered, Creative by Design will work closely with you by making you aware of all the options.

    Design Flexibility

  By being custom framers Creative by Design allows you a wide range of flexibility. You are given a choice of not two, six or a dozen, but more like thousands of possibilities. The numerous sources for artwork and moulding coupled with the variety of mat colors to meet your needs are presented on the "Art Mats & Moulding" page. 

  This greater choice benefits you with the right solution to your decorative art needs. And so that you aren't overwhelmed by the task, Creative by Design will guide and counsel you through the alternatives.

    Dependable Sources

  Once you have decided on what artwork, matting, frame, glazing, and hardware, and are in agreement on delivery and cost, Creative by Design begins ordering and receiving the framing components. The planning and design phase of a picture framing project is completed and now its time for Creative by Design to perform.

  We ensure the smooth transition of the project by using vendors with a proven track record. The disastrous impact of a vendor who back orders a supposedly available item, mis-ships, poorly packages allowing damage in transit, or has poor quality control easily cripples a project. Inevitably, the timing of the project is extended and the client has to go back to the planning stage.

    Exacting Tolerances

  Upon the arrival of the artwork key measurements are made. From this measurement the exact size of the frame and the mats are obtained. Creative by Design works with measurement allowances of +/- 1/16th of an inch. 

  Mats are normally 3 inches wide with 1/4th inch overlapping the artwork. In multiple mat projects the upper mat has generally has 1/4th inch less exposure than the lower mat. At Creative by Design, mats are hand cut to ensure quality control.

  Mouldings are cut on a guillotine type machine with knives set precisely at 45 degrees. The mitered corners are secured with glue and a metal fastener pneumatically inserted in the under side.

    Precision Assembly

  The next step is the fit. Here the glazing and artwork with mats are fastened in the frame. The backside of the frame is then sealed with a kraft paper dust stop. The fit is the most labor-intensive step relying on absolute cleanliness and exact measurements to achieve a perfect presentation of the art.

  At Creative by Design, each piece of art of orders with multiple pieces is given an identification number. In turn, the frame, mats and glass associated with the art are labeled with the same number. This facilitates fitting, eliminates duplication and mix-ups. The art identification numbers used by Creative by Design have also been on occasion the client's installation identification numbers on the job site.

    Secure Packaging & Shipping

  As a matter of course, Creative by Design uses cardboard corner protectors even for cross-town delivery. If we're packaging for common carrier, the finished product with corner protectors and wrapped with bubble wrap is securely sandwiched between two oversize pieces of cardboard. The sandwiched framed art is then packed in a corrugated box surrounded by popcorn. 

  Creative by Design has experience in nationwide, statewide and local shipments. This experience acquainted us with various carriers and the correct mode to use. One exceptional finding was the attractive cost of using airlines' freight services.

  Whether your picture-framing project is in the conceptual stage or a full blown decorative art solution, we invite you to use our web site. It's a seamless way to take advantage of our expertise.