The Custom Framing Industry's Price Problem

Traditional frame shops are pricing themselves out of existence. With markups reaching 500% or more, many customers find themselves unable to frame their cherished artwork and photographs. A simple 16x20 frame that costs $200-300 at a local shop is available through Modern Memory Design for half the price – without sacrificing quality.

The picture frame industry, once a staple of local main streets and art districts, is facing a crisis of its own making. For decades, custom framing has been synonymous with high prices, slow turnaround times, and a process that feels stuck in the past. As consumer expectations shift toward speed, affordability, and convenience, traditional frame shops are struggling to keep up—pricing themselves out of existence and leaving customers searching for better solutions.

#### The High Cost of Custom Framing

Walk into any local frame shop and you’ll likely experience sticker shock. Custom framing a simple 16x20 photo can easily cost $200 or more, with larger pieces running into the thousands. These prices are driven by high overhead, limited buying power, and a business model that hasn’t evolved with the times. For many customers, the cost is simply prohibitive, turning what should be a joyful act of preserving memories into a luxury few can afford.

#### The Waiting Game: Why Speed Matters

It’s not just the price that’s a problem. The average turnaround time for custom framing at a local shop is two to three weeks—sometimes even longer. In an era where Amazon delivers in a day and food arrives at your door in under an hour, waiting weeks for a frame feels archaic. Customers expect things fast, and the framing industry’s sluggish pace is a major deterrent.

To put this in perspective, consider how speed has transformed other industries over the decades. In the 1920s, Olympic sprinters ran the 100 meters in just over 10 seconds; today, Usain Bolt’s world record stands at 9.58 seconds. Airplanes that once took 20 hours to cross the Atlantic now do it in under 7. Cars that crawled along at 30 mph in the early 1900s now cruise comfortably at highway speeds of 70 mph or more. The message is clear: speed to market is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity for building customer confidence and growing a business.

#### Online Framing: Affordable, Fast, and High-Quality

Enter [shopmodernmemory.com](https://www.shopmodernmemory.com), the online frame shop that’s rewriting the rules. We offer simple, modern frames in every size from 8x8 to a massive 48x96, at half the price of your local frame shop. How do we do it? By leveraging the efficiencies of online business, bulk buying power, and a dedicated workforce focused on delivering quality and speed.

**Affordability:**  
Our frames are priced to be accessible. By sourcing materials directly from leading distributors like Decor Moulding, Omega Moulding, and Larson Juhl, we cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you. Our matting comes from Crescent/Bainbridge, the industry’s gold standard, ensuring your art gets the best possible presentation.

**Speed:**  
We know you don’t want to wait weeks for your frame. That’s why we process orders in just 2 days, with shipping times of 3-4 days nationwide. From the moment you place your order, our team is working to get your frame to your door as quickly as possible—without sacrificing quality.

**Quality:**  
There’s a misconception that online framing means lower quality. At shopmodernmemory.com, we use the same materials as local frame shops, sourced from the same trusted suppliers. Our frames are built to last, with the same attention to detail you’d expect from a boutique framer.

#### The Power of Online Business Efficiencies

Online framing isn’t just about lower prices and faster delivery. It’s about harnessing the efficiencies of modern business:

- **Bulk Purchasing:** We buy materials in large quantities, reducing costs and ensuring consistent quality.
- **Streamlined Workforce:** Our team is trained for efficiency, with specialized roles that speed up production without cutting corners.
- **Centralized Distribution:** Orders are fulfilled from strategically located centers, minimizing shipping times and costs.
- **Technology:** Our website makes it easy to upload your photo, choose your frame, and place your order in minutes—no need for in-person consultations or lengthy back-and-forth.

#### Why Local Frame Shops Are Losing Ground

Local frame shops simply can’t compete with the scale and efficiency of online businesses. Their higher prices reflect smaller order volumes, higher rent, and labor costs. Their slower turnaround times are a result of manual processes and limited staff. As a result, they’re losing customers to online shops that offer the same (or better) quality at a fraction of the price and time.

#### The Future of Framing

The picture frame industry is at a crossroads. Customers want affordable, high-quality frames delivered fast—and they’re not willing to pay a premium or wait weeks to get them. At [shopmodernmemory.com](https://www.shopmodernmemory.com), we’re proud to lead the way, offering a better, faster, and more affordable way to frame your memories.

If you’re tired of overpriced, slow local frame shops, give us a try. Experience the difference that speed, efficiency, and modern business practices can make. Your memories deserve the best—without the wait or the high price tag.