A delicate print, large photograph and textured canvas need different framing decisions. At Berliner Bilder Galerie on Kaiserdamm 5, we compare materials and presentation with you. Bring the artwork to an agreed appointment, or begin with photographs and dimensions.
Discuss your picture framingPlanning your framing at Kaiserdamm
- The artwork
- Print, photograph or canvas: material, dimensions and visible edges guide the construction.
- The choices
- Compare moulding, mount and glass with the work itself, rather than relying on a sample photograph.
- The visit
- Personal advice at Kaiserdamm 5 in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Photos and measurements help start the conversation.
Look at the frame and artwork together
A dark, narrow profile may give a print a precise edge, while a wider wooden moulding can create a more substantial boundary. Neither effect is right for every image. Paper tone, visible margins, texture and the balance of the composition all influence how a frame feels. Looking at samples beside the actual work makes these relationships easier to judge.
A photograph of the intended wall is useful, particularly where several pictures will hang together. It shows nearby furniture, competing colours and possible reflections. That does not mean the frame must match every feature of the room. Often a quieter choice allows the image to remain the centre of attention. Tell us whether you are reframing a familiar piece or planning the presentation of a new acquisition; the starting questions may differ.
Leave room for the character of a print or drawing
A plate mark, handwritten number or signature can be an important part of an original print. A drawing may have an irregular paper edge that you would prefer to show rather than cover. We discuss the visible area before assuming that a standard opening or a tightly cropped mount is appropriate. The sheet and the image are not always the same size.
A window mount creates a visual interval around the work and can help separate paper from glazing. Its colour should be considered against the actual sheet rather than selected from a screen alone. How the work is held also matters. A method suitable for an easily replaceable display print is not necessarily suitable for an original. Our guide to framing original prints explores the questions to bring to a framing discussion.
Photographs and reproductions have their own priorities
A photograph with large dark areas can make reflections particularly noticeable. A larger print may raise questions about flatness, the treatment of its edges and how it will be viewed across a room. Tell us the printing process if you know it, and whether the piece can be replaced. A personal one-off print deserves a different conversation from a temporary display image.
We also ask whether you may want to remove the picture from its frame later. Presentation decisions can affect future handling, so this is worth discussing at the beginning. A wavy sheet should not automatically be treated as a purely cosmetic problem. Understanding the material and your priorities comes before choosing an intervention intended to make it look flatter.
Allow for the depth and edges of a canvas
A stretched canvas already has a physical depth that needs to be accommodated. Measuring its front alone does not establish the complete framing requirements. The profile, the way the work is held and the treatment of the painted or unpainted edges need to work together. A float frame leaves a visible gap around the canvas, but that effect is a choice rather than a rule.
If your canvas is still rolled or unstretched, the first question is whether and how it can be stretched. Our canvas stretching service addresses that stage separately. Do not trim or tighten a painted canvas merely to fit a framing idea. Its condition must be considered before changes to its support.
Choose a profile, not just a material label
Both wood and aluminium can give a restrained or a strongly defined result. Width, depth and finish have a considerable effect on the relationship between frame and picture. Wood is not reserved for historical subjects, nor metal for contemporary ones. We compare the visual choices with the practical demands of the size and construction.
Some works fit standard formats comfortably. Others need a custom size because of their proportions, depth or the space required around the image. For an initial enquiry, measure the artwork and any existing frame separately. Final dimensions should be established for the chosen construction, rather than inferred from a photograph. If several works are to be hung as a group, mention that before selecting each profile independently.
Discuss glazing and preservation in realistic terms
Reducing reflections and filtering ultraviolet radiation are different functions. The useful combination depends on the work and where it will be displayed. Our information on special picture glass offers a starting point for discussion. Suitable glazing does not turn a sunny window position into a risk-free location for sensitive paper.
Mount board, backing and the method of holding the work should be considered as a complete arrangement. Closing the back can reduce dust entry, but is not a promise of protection against damp or an unsuitable room climate. Acid-free materials are a relevant consideration, not a complete description of every preservation requirement. We discuss vulnerable originals with particular care and explain where examination of their condition may be needed first.
Make the practical decisions before commissioning the frame
Begin with the type of artwork, approximate dimensions and its intended location. At an appointment, bring relevant information and the previous frame if appropriate. We can then discuss the appearance, materials and work involved. Profile, glazing, mount and fitting requirements all contribute to the cost; a single price for every picture would not reflect these differences.
Tell us about any visible damage before arranging to bring the work. Reframing does not repair a tear or secure loose paint. Our contact page gives directions and ways to reach the gallery. Timing and the agreed scope are discussed individually, without assuming a standard turnaround for every object.
Useful things to bring to your consultation
- Artwork dimensions and measurements of any existing frame
- A photograph of the intended wall and information about reflections
- The original by arrangement; agree transport first for a vulnerable work
Planning your framing visit
Should I bring the original artwork to the consultation?
Seeing the original helps with colour, proportions and material choices. For a large or fragile work, contact us first to agree a sensible approach. Photographs and dimensions are useful for starting the conversation.
What if my picture is not a standard size?
Custom dimensions can be discussed. We consider depth, the visible image area and how the piece will be held as well as width and height. Final measurements are established before the work is carried out.
How do I decide between a wooden and an aluminium frame?
Compare the profile and finish with the actual image rather than choosing by material alone. Both can be subtle or prominent. We help relate the appearance to the construction and scale your work needs.
Can a delicate original print be framed differently from a poster?
Yes. Paper, surface, margins and attachment requirements all deserve attention. An approach suitable for a replaceable poster should not simply be applied to a sensitive original. Existing damage may need assessment before framing.
Can you give an estimate before I commit?
Ask with the artwork type, measurements and your preferences. A meaningful estimate needs an agreed profile, glazing and other requirements. We discuss the choices and scope with you before you commission the work.
Give your artwork a considered setting
Bring your print, photograph or painting to Berliner Bilder Galerie. We can compare materials and proportions with you and agree how to approach its framing at Kaiserdamm 5.
Berliner Bilder GalerieKaiserdamm 5, 14057 Berlin