The Great Frame Up

These guys are really, really experts when it comes to framing any print or painting. The customer service was excellent. The Great Frame Up in my neighborhood closed years ago. When it comes to procrastination and getting some things done that are not at the top of my «to do» priority list I can be pretty lazy. This was the case with a Tony Bennett «Limited Edition» print entitled «Greek Port AP 1987» which I inherited from my deceased Aunt. My Aunt was a huge Tony Bennett fan. I think she saw him in concert 12 or 15 times. She always had a story to tell us about her experience at these concerts. She traveled a lot and saw him all over the world. I always loved hearing her stories, but to be honest, I don’t really care for Crooner-​type music. It doesn’t interest me in the least and it isn’t my taste when it comes to music.
Well, my deceased Aunt never got around to getting this particular print framed. I kept it in its original tall paper bag brown colored tube for safe keeping. I thought it was a cheap print that she purchased over the years. I never gave it a second thought. She showed me the print a few years ago. I thought it was stunningly beautiful and commented on the soft colors and how the strokes and colors reminded me of a a cross between Renoir and Monet. I always asked her why she never put it up because it was such an awesome print. She would smile and say «Some day it will go up… some day.» I always admired the print and would always tell her how much I liked this print. I had no idea that Tony Bennett is an amazing Painter. Very impressive!
However, I was doing some rearranging/​organization in our basement when I came across the «Greek Port» print. I found the original receipt at the bottom of the tube where I kept it for a few years. The receipt was from an art gallery in Greece. I really didn’t understand the amount (still not realizing its value), but then I went on-​line and did a conversation of currency (Greek to American money), and was astounded when I realized that this was not a cheap print. We had it appraised by an Art Expert (professional). He confirmed its value. In fact, it is worth several thousand dollars, which really shocked me!!! It is beautiful. I can understand why my Aunt fell in love with the «Greek Port» print. Although I never understood why she never framed it and placed it on her wall.
Well, in honoring her memory I decided to have it framed at the Great Frame Up. I was very anxious about leaving it with them for several days. I never told them that it was a very pricey «Limited Edition» print, but assumed that it would be well taken of since they got fantastic reviews on Unilocal.Also, my husband decided to get the print «insured» beyond its value (just in case) so this gave me peace of mind to a certain extent. The Great Frame Up did an excellent job helping me select the appropriate frame and backing that would complement the print nicely. It makes the colors pop even more, and I am very pleased with the work they did. Best of all, it didn’t cost me a small fortune. They took extra great care of our Tony Bennett print. No damage. No issues. Nothing.
To be honest, I thought I would be paying a lot more to get it framed. I was very happy to hear that the framing was not going to bankrupt me! I did some price comparisons, for framing costs, and this was my final choice. My reasons: (1) Unilocal reviews (2) they helped me work within my budget for the frame (3) It was the best price-​point I found and (4) Outstanding and helpful customer service.
I am very happy with the final results. It looks beautiful on our wall (next to a small collection of prints that I have from Paris, France which my husband and I picked up when we went to France a number of years ago). Every time I look at it I smile and it reminds me of all the stories that she shared with me over the years. Most of the stories are pretty funny and somewhat embellished. We both shared a love for the Arts and had some pretty good discussions over the years.
If you are seeking a professional frame shop to frame your art pieces I highly recommend them. I had a very positive and pleasant experience here.
Customer Service = 5 stars
Frame and Quality = 5 stars
Waiting Time (days it took) = 4 stars
Parking = 3 stars (somewhat challenging)
Price-​Point = 4 stars

Frame shops may seem boring but if you’re framing art or photos you love it will be right in front of your eyes for years. This place is AMAZING and Bree in particular is an artist! We just worked on framing a slew of show posters and some other art and her eye for color and composition made the final results amazing. She even helped me save money on some of the glass choices — it still wasn’t cheap but I rate it a great value. Only place I’ll go now!

I was frantically looking to find a business here in Chicago that would help me stretch canvas paintings around a wooden frame with a quick turnaround. The paintings were to be gifts to my groomsmen. As someone who doesn’t have much experience, if at all, with artwork, I came in with the impression that stretching canvas wouldn’t take long to get serviced. After consulting a few places like Michaels (Terrible experience and service… they quoted me an insane price unless I bought frames and that the service would take 2 – 3 weeks), I found my savior with Brie from The Great Frame Up. Brie was able to turn around the stretching of my artwork in a couple of days! I cannot thank her and the team at The Great Frame Up for their work and service.
I’m so pleased with the service they provided, I’m ready to come back to have more artwork/​items framed here. Top notch service. I cannot stress how great my experience with them enough!

You can save a lot of money here by doing some of the frame work yourself. They complete the more difficult part of putting the frame together and will charge less if you stretch your own canvas and put the image in the frame. They are really fast at putting together frames (my turnaround for 2 frames was just 2 days) and are eager to listen to and accommodate budget concerns. Oscar was helpful showing me how to complete the process.
I would definitely ask for Oscar because I had a couple negative experiences with my framing with another employee. For one painting, the frame just fell apart when I took it home. Also for another painting she mis-​sized the frame, leaving white cloth exposed on the edges. I had to get oscar to redo that frame.
After my negative experiences (and I spent over $ 600 here on a few paintings) I probably wouldn’t return, but I have only had good experiences with Oscar and wouldn’t rule it out if you want to save money.

What a great experience. I was looking to get an art print framed, and I stupidly went to Michael’s thinking that they would be reasonably priced. I was so wrong. The sales people were awful and they couldn’t offer me anything that wasn’t obscenely priced, no matter how many times I told them it was a silly
print that I just wanted to get on my wall. So on the way home, I ended up popping into the Great Frame Up, and I’m so glad I did. I mentioned I was looking for something reasonable, and that’s exactly what they offered — no judgement. Oscar was super nice and helpful. I can’t recommend this place enough. I was shocked at how affordable it ended up being, and they’re quick too! The framed print looks AMAZING. Can’t recommend it enough!

Ahhhhmazing. Have had two items framed here and both turned out wonderfully. The selection process is so calm, and the employees are willing to take time to make sure you get what you want (and for the price you want it – there are no weird charges at the end; it’s all super transparent). It probably is a slight bit pricier than some other stores would charge for non-​reflective glass (which I didn’t spring for due to budgetary constraints). But it’s well worth it for the awesome service and very nice atmosphere. Nice number of frame/​mats to choose from, too — bigger than some of the other places nearby on broadway.
A plus!

So I had a commissioned piece of artwork that I had to get framed ASAP for the holidays. I called around to different framing shops and most of the shops said it would be a min of 2 weeks to frame it and would be around $ 200-​$ 500 dollars. Then I called the Great Frame Up and they said if I framed it myself (basically just little assembly stuff) that it would cost around $ 95 and would only take one day if they had all of the sized I needed in stock. When I went to get my drawing framed, the staff was really helpful and I was really happy with the final product. I am so excited I found this place, I will for sure be back!

Bree and Oscar rock!
Thery were so helpful and took the extra effort to insure the 5 pics we framed had the best matting and frame options ever. Can’t say enough about their excellent customer service as well as their knowledge and ability of their craft. Thanks again, we love all 5 pics as each one of them is unique in their own way thanks to your expertise.

very helpful, very friendly staff.
I needed four large custom prints framed and told them price was a factor. they helped pick out a reasonable frame and then suggested I could save money on labor by assembling them myself in-​store with their guidance.
highly recommended.

I needed to reframe a picture that had a broken glass. I took it to The Great Frame Up and Bree took care of me today. She was very helpful and guided me through the process of DIY. Very reasonable cost to replace the glass. In fact I was pleasantly surprised at the cost.
I would not hesitate to use them again.

The staff here are AMAZING! I’ve worked with Stephanie, Robert, and Mandy! They all ROCK, and are so frame savvy! They always seem to calm my nerves when I need framing fast. I usually opt for the do-​it-​yourself option, because it saves me a few cents and I am a do-​it-​yourselfer! My brown paper backing is not as perfect as when they do it, but it’s alright. I don’t think anyplace else exists like this in the city! It is kind of fun to use all the stuff in the tool box too! I have to say, that you also feel a little proud of yourself when it is all done. There is some sense of accomplishment to do something by yourself.(They do help you a LOT, but still :) !!)

My boss told me to go here so that we could frame an article on a property that we were marketing (hey real estate). I walk in without a hint of what to expect and the staff was totally helpful and even joked with me. They made great suggestions and basically framed it for me even though I said I would do it myself (knowing the boss wants the cheaper option).
Really casual and friendly atmosphere, great selections and high quality products.
Need something framed? Go here.

I recently went here to get one of my bf’s concert posters framed. I knew going in that this was not going to be cheap and I was pleasantly surprised at the cost. I opted the do it yourself version, where they build the frame, cut the glass and the matting and then you come in and clean the glass and put the rest together. I was worried that I would ruin it or it would be hard, but they are there to help you the whole time. That cost me $ 90 (it’s all gonna depend on the size and what materials you choose though), and it would have cost me $ 30 more if I had them do it.
They are very friendly there and they are willing to listen and give their advice. I was in there for over an hour trying to decide on what color matting and the girl helped me and brought out a ton of different colors of gray… and then I decided I wanted blue, and she still helped me and never got annoyed (at least it didn’t seem that way)!
They even have a points program where you spend $ 300 and you get $ 30 off your next framing job. I think that’s a nice deal, when most places give you nothing. And you might think $ 300 is a lot, but when it costs $ 90 for one, you will be at $ 300 before you know it.

Work with Victor. He’s one stud of a framer. Ask him about his movie.

A bit on the pricey end but good customer service — they addressed our issues and talked with my friend about mounting her painting for her and even gave her a couple good suggestions.