Go to a custom framing store with a picture in hand to frame, and usually, they'll measure your picture to see if it is a standard size. If it isn't, they'll have to cut up and custom-make a special frame size just for you. But even if you did go in with a standard-sized picture or photograph, say, sized 12x12, to have encased in glass, they'll still charge you prices that will be higher than you would need to pay for a ready-made frame. It's just that when you go in for custom framing, you get handmade craftsmanship and you get up to choose the very frame molding that you like. Even standard 12x12 frames – one of the most commonly found sizes – can end up costing you something more.
It used to be for the longest time that ready-made frames were only made in the smaller sizes. But now that these things are outsourced to places where labor is cheap and plentiful, you'll find that there are way more standardized and ready-made picture sizes than there used to be.
It used to be for the longest time that ready-made frames were only made in the smaller sizes. But now that these things are outsourced to places where labor is cheap and plentiful, you'll find that there are way more standardized and ready-made picture sizes than there used to be.