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There was a time when photo frames were common gifts for Christmas and birthdays but it soon became shunned. Although photo frames may seem undesirable and unnecessary, you may find yourself in need of them at some occasions such as decorating your new room or even as a memento for family, wedding or graduation portraits.
Not only for photos, frames can also come handy for paintings, calligraphy, posters, certificates, autographs or any other prized possessions that you wish to cherish and display for a long time.
Here are 10 shops in Singapore where you can visit to get your customised frames for any occasion and any purpose! Prices are based on the materials selected and requirements of the customisation so you may wish to contact the store directly to get a more accurate quotation.
1. Merlin Framing
One of the largest custom frame makers in Singapore, Merlin Framing has 3 outlets located in the central areas - River Valley, Waterloo Centre and Orchard Paragon. With a long history and state of the art workshop, Merlin Framing has helped countless clients frame up their cherished pieces and also worked with artists, collectors, galleries and museums.
When they mentioned the state of the art workshop, it is not just a fancy name but they do have a computerized mat board cutter from Switzerland and specialist framing machines from France. Combined with craftsmen who have been working with them for more than 20 years, it is no surprise that they have acquired many positive reviews.
A customer shared, “this place has very special & unique frames. With the staff’s expertise, she has recommended a frame that brings out the life in my artwork. Everyday when I look at art, it brings a smile to me.”
Merlin Framing is located at three locations, namely 290 Orchard Road, #05-30, Paragon, Singapore 238859, contact: 68352988, 292 River Valley Road, #01-00, Singapore 238333, contact: 6735 1866, and 261 Waterloo Street, #01-10, Waterloo Centre, Singapore 180261, contact 6837 2009.
2. Framelines Gallery
Framelines Gallery was founded by Ron Soh, who did not inherit the business from his family, but rather started it from scratch with a humble beginning. He dropped out of school at 15 and struggled with self-confidence and self-worth then. However, with resilience and perseverance, he pushed on and the business now has more than 200 five-star reviews on Google.
Most of the customers go to Framelines for framing of expensive paintings and even autographed jerseys. The majority of the reviews praised Ron for his eye for details, professionalism and customer service. If you decide to make a visit to Framelines, Ron would specially advise you on which frames to get to match the artwork as well as your home aesthetics.
Framelines Gallery has a range of frames from silver and bronze, to rosewood and contemporary coloured frames for you to choose from.
Framelines Gallery is located at 364 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427609. Contact: 62477667.
3. Ittibaa Glazing Enterprise
Operating since 1945, Ittibaa Glazing is a long-standing name in the frames and glass business. Just a 3 minutes walk from Boon Keng MRT station, the store offers more than 1000 frames catered for various uses including canvas frames, lego tiles and jigsaw framing, 3D objects shadow box framing, carpet framings and glass boxes.
Ittibaa Glazing does customised framings according to your preferences and needs, and also offers additional services such as reframing and packaging. A review shared that he had to send the framed painting overseas and Ittibaa Glazing did an amazing job at ensuring that the frame was packaged in a way that was safe and ready for cargo shipping.
Ittibaa Glazing also offers installation services for your frames and CDC vouchers are accepted!
Ittibaa Glazing Enterprise is located at 22 Boon Keng Rd, #01-31, Singapore 330022. Contact: 62982281.
4. SGFrames
Located at Toa Payoh and Chinatown, SGFrames is dedicated to delivering a wide selection of frames at a quick turnaround time as short as 5 days. From contemporary to baroque and antique frames, SGFrames keeps a large collection at the stores for you to view and choose from. Not just customised orders, they do accept wholesale and bulk orders as well.
On top of the professional customer service rendered, most reviews also mentioned that the communication is very clear and smooth and the staff are very responsive to enquiries. If you are an art collector, you can also bring your art pieces for canvas stretching with options such as Gap Framing and Gallery Wrap Framing.
SGFrames also offer some pictures of their product samples on their website so you can get a glimpse of what they have to offer before heading down to the store.
SGFrames has two locations - 1003 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, #01-1511, Singapore 319075, contact 66357989. Chinatown branch is at 228 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058777, contact 69808404.
5. Ansa Picture Framing & Art Gallery
Ansa Picture Framing is another long established framemaker that started in 1948. The company prides itself on their modern machinery and high-quality workmanship, delivering creative and good quality frames. Offering over 300 types of frame options, you can bring anything from paintings to scarves and mirrors for framing.
Most reviews commented on their professional customer service, seamless process from order to delivery, quick turnaround time and affordable prices. They also have many returning customers. One of the customers came back to frame 51 items, and another has been patronizing the store for more than 14 years.
Ansa is located near Little India MRT station, and you can also find a range of ready-made frames at their store if you are looking for something generic to buy on the spot.
Ansa Picture Framing is located at 29 Kerbau Road, Singapore 219164. WhatsApp: 9880 4415.
6. Sin Yip Seng Glass & Frame Merchant
Sin Yip Seng is also a heritage framemaker that has been around since 1976. Today, they have 2 branches at Toa Payoh and Yishun and have won awards such as the Heritage Enterprise and Framing Service of the Year in the past 10 years.
A local business amongst the HDB estates, many customers are pleased with the warm service provided by Aunty Peggy and Aunty Wendy, the two lady bosses who are highly skilled and experienced in frame customisation, repairing, mounting and more.
The materials of the frames and glasses are sourced from different countries around the world and produced locally to ensure that customers receive their orders promptly. Besides having a wide range of affordable frames at their store, you can also purchase framed artworks and paintings there.
Sin Yip Seng Glass & Frame is located at Blk 94, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-14, Singapore 310094, and Blk 930, Yishun Central 1, #01-117, Singapore 760930. Contact: 62554054.
7. FrameIT
A refreshing break from the traditional heritage framemaker businesses, FrameIT is a millennial and digitalised concept where you can create a custom frame on their website, pay online, and wait for the frame to arrive at your doorstep!
The services FrameIT provides are similar to the traditional stores including custom framing, art printing and canvas stretching. If you are afraid that the frames are dropshipped and the quality would be compromised, you can be assured that FrameIT has their own 6,000 square feet workshop that uses high quality materials and art framing technology to produce the best frames.
FrameIT also has full five-star Google reviews that speak well about the quality of the frames and service. When it comes to online service, you may be concerned about the difficulty of reaching out to someone should any issues arise. At FrameIT, most of the customers reviewed that the owner and staff are very helpful and knowledgeable in replying to their concerns and would also give detailed suggestions on what to do. FrameIT also provides installation services so you can be assured that they see through the process from start to end.
FrameIT is located at 120 Lower Delta Road, #08-01/02, Cendex Centre, Singapore 169208. WhatsApp: 8798 6867.
8. Ace Framing Gallery
Started in 2008 by a couple who is motivated to help clients create suitable and beautiful frames, Ace Framing Gallery is located next to Fort Canning MRT station, and now has 20 full time employees that are dedicated to the company’s mission.
On their canva-aesthetics website, you may find information about the services they provide including a very detailed FAQ page that answers questions about the lead time and technicalities of their services. Ace Framing also actively shares general information on their website and Instagram such as the use of wires and hooks in frames, how to secure jigsaw puzzles in frames and more.
Besides offering customised framing services, artworks and ready-made frames are sold on their website and in-store from $55 onwards.
Ace Framing Gallery is located at 226 River Valley Road, Singapore 238284. WhatsApp: 9467 6842.
9. Talent Arts Frame Maker
Established in 1976, Talent Arts Frame Maker is a family business that has been operating across two generations. Taking pride in their workmanship, the frames are completed by Talent Arts from start to finish, designed and fabricated directly at their workshop to control the quality at every stage.
Talent Arts also does custom printing with options such as acrylic face mount, canvas print, photo and poster print and woodblock print. If you would like to transform your photo into an oil painting, you can bring it to their store and have their artist create an oil painting for you. Another interesting service they provide is Chinese rice paper restoration. If you are a collector of Chinese calligraphy and find that your artwork turns yellow or mouldy after some time, you may also engage Talent Arts to fix it up for you.
They also have an online store that allows you to shop for framed artworks, paintings and ready-made frames. Some of these artwork include framed Hermès scarves, paintings of local landmarks and art sketches, priced at $60 onwards.
Talent Arts Frame Maker is located at 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-19, Singapore 082001. WhatsApp: 9238 1644.
10. Barakkath Frame Maker
Located at Chinatown, Barakkath has been making frames with the traditional craftsmanship that has been passed down since 1913. They also make use of premium wood and aluminium in various shapes, texture and colours to create the best fitting frame for your art.
Many of the reviews are made by returning customers who are pleased with the quality of their work and speed. Fast turnaround time is always appealing but Barakkath has exceeded expectations and even completed one of the customer’s frames in just one day. A replacement of glass for a broken frame took only 10 minutes!
If you are looking for a quick fix or a simple customised frame, you may wish to visit Barakkath for a reliable and fuss-free experience.
Barakkath Frame Maker is located at 219 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058768. Contact : 6223 3027 or 9488 0657.