Old Main Frame Shop and Gallery has been a favorite place for art and custom framing enthusiasts for over 27 years. Started by two Penn Stater's, we have prided ourselves in keeping quality and customer satisfaction paramount everyday. We are dealers for the finest publishers, including Greenwich Workshop, P. Buckley Moss and Mill Pond Press.

Being a gallery certified by The Professional Picture Framer's Association, we use only the finest acid-free materials available. With our unique production and design skills, we create original and imaginative custom pieces that you will be proud to display for generations. In addition to fine arts on paper, we also work with your personal memories and unique items such as antique hairpins and Valentines, war medals and ribbons, sports memorabilia, hunting and antique car memorabilia to mention a few.

Our customers are located throughout the USA, wherever Penn Staters hail, and our shipping department expertly packages your finished artwork for delivery anywhere in the world.

Becoming an OLD MAIN FRAME SHOP customer is a family tradition to many of our clients. Continue the tradition by adding you E-mail address to our mailing list. By doing so you will receive our quarterly newsletter keeping you informed of deadlines for special print orders, new releases, limited edition availability, custom framing specials and much, much more.
Knowledge of frame styles and periods is essential to the finished product and how it fits into its environment. Art periods and architectural styles are also key to providing the correct "whole" package. Occasionally frame styles and art periods can intermingle but ultimately it is the picture framers job to know the differences and how to apply them. A keen interest in providing the right frame for the right piece enable the Old Main Frame Shop & Gallery team to continually satisfy our customers needs and our own inherent need to be both creative and correct with emphasis on preservation of your artwork. We will select the best combination of matting and framing style to perfectly complement your artwork selection. Each piece that we frame contains a mat design – double mat or multiple mats – and frame selection perfectly suited for the specific piece of art. It is truly a custom combination, put together just for that piece, thus the "custom framing" designation.
The Frame Moulding

Frame moulding is the term used to describe material that is cut and joined to be assembled into a picture frame. There are thousands of different frame moulding styles. The materials that are most commonly used to make moulding are wood and metals that come in a variety of stains, glazes and finishes. Old Main Frame Shop & Gallery uses only European and Domestic made frames. It is impossible for us to show you all of the different sizes, shapes and colors of frame that we have available. Please call us so we can discuss your next custom framing project.

Shown below is just some of our framing samples available in our showroom.

Matting

Matting is the term used to describe the window-cut material placed around an image within the frame. It serves a spacer allowing the artwork to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Matting comes in a variety of colors and is chosen to complement the color and design of the artwork. It makes the overall size of the finished piece larger. Matting can be made from a variety of materials: paper, cardboard, fibrous materials, fabric, etc. Using an archival quality material will offer protection, ensuring that your art will last for years to come. Archival matting is either made from acid-free cotton fibers or a newer product called Artcare. Artcare archival matt boards with patented MocroChamber technology, actively protects are from the damaging effect of time and from common pollutants that yellow, fade ad damage your art. Artcare slows this deterioration and helps extend the life of your art. Listed are some of the different patterns and designs that are available in mats.
  • Precious Metals
  • Parchments
  • Crackles
  • Color Cores
  • Classic
  • Earthstone
  • Impression
  • Rice Paper
  • Moire
  • Earth Inspired
  • Patina
  • Denims
  • Flaxens
  • Threads
  • Suedes
  • Raw Silks
  • Pebble Embossed
  • Linen Embossed
  • Faux Marble
  • Metallics
  • Silki's
  • Rag-100% Acid Free
  • Ancients
  • Mini Flutes
  • Intaglio Suede
  • Intaglio Rag
  • Rag Moire
  • Shagreen
  • Metal Aged
  • Washed Denim
Mats can be cut to any shape or style to go with the design of the artwork of piece that is being framed.

Glazing

Glazing is a general term used to describe the transparent material covering the artwork as a means of protection, such a glass. There are many variations including regular clear picture glass, anti-reflective (chemically coated to reduce reflection), non-glare (acid etched to help reduce glare), and conservation glass (specially formulated to help filter the damaging effects of UV light). There are also acrylic glazing products that are lighter in weight and come in the non-glare and UV filtering varieties. Glass is easier to clean and more scratch resistant than acrylic products.

Mounting

Mounting is a process by which artwork is attached to a board. Dry mounting, wet mounting and spray mounting are ways to prevent the artwork from bubbling or waving in the frame. Artwork of any value is not generally mounted since it can greatly affect any resale value. Museum mounting, commonly known as hinging, is when the art is attached with paper hinges to the board. The art hangs free, allowing it to expand or contract with humidity. Dry and wet mounting are permanent processes and not recommended for archival materials.

Preservation Framing

Preservation framing, also know as conservation or museum quality, uses materials and techniques that help protect against the effects of sunlight and pollutants that yellow, fade and damage the art. Archival matting, hinging and UV protective glazing (glass or acrylic) are most commonly used to increase the longevity of framed items.