Custom Framing: Mat or No Mat for Your Artwork, Poster, or Print? When it comes to custom framing, one of the most common questions people have is whether to use a mat or go without one. Mats can dramatically change the look and feel of your artwork, poster, or print—but they also serve important practical purposes beyond aesthetics. If you’re trying to decide which option is right for your piece, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a mat, along with tips for mak

Most of us take a lot more photos than we used to since we have a pretty high-quality camera with us at all times thanks to smartphones. But these photos often get left on our devices and barely looked at again. Printing some of your best smartphone photos can allow you to frame your favorite moments and hang them on the wall or display them on shelves in your home. Please remember that cell phone photos can only be printed up approximately 8x10 without losing detail in the

Just a quick update on our trip........we had to postpone the trip till this coming september. There was a storm cell over NYC, and we were unable to fly into NY, and catch our flight to Iceland. Hopefully in September we have better luck and can make the trip. We will keep you posted In just a few days, my youngest son Nolan and I will be heading to Iceland for an 8-day spring photography adventure through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. Spring can be

Framing a special photo, artwork, or keepsake is about more than just protecting it—it’s about displaying it in a way that enhances its beauty and fits perfectly in your space. When deciding between custom picture frames and ready-made frames, many people focus only on cost. While ready-made frames are convenient, custom framing offers benefits that can make a world of difference, especially for meaningful or valuable pieces. Here’s a closer look at why custom picture frames

If you’ve ever picked up a beautiful print or inherited a cherished photograph, you know that presentation matters. At Art Images Gallery and Framing in Seal Beach, CA, custom framing isn’t just about putting glass over a piece of art—it’s about protecting memories, elevating decor, and creating something unique to you. What is Custom Framing? Custom framing goes beyond the off-the-shelf frames you find at big-box stores. When you walk into our shop at 119 Main St. Seal Beach

Choosing the Perfect Frame: Tips from Art Images Gallery and Framing When you bring in a piece of art, a family portrait, or anything that deserves to be framed well, the number of framing choices available can feel overwhelming. At Art Images Gallery, our framers have decades of experience, and here are their top tips to help you choose the perfect frame for your space and your piece. Understand Your Space & Style Your framing should harmonize with your room. Think about the

Port Los Angeles, WA. I had been photographing the seastack in the backround. I turned around for one last look, and was met with this scene. I always knew it would be a monochromatic shot. Shot with a polariz People often ask me why their photos don’t look as striking as the ones they see in magazines. The truth is, professional-looking images rarely happen by accident. It usually has very little to do with how good or expensive your camera is. Having a higher quality

When we were contemplating purchasing Art Images, the one thing that Bret wanted to do and do it quickly was to renovate the inside. He felt that calling ourselves an art gallery, with carpet on the wall wasn't the image he wanted to portray. So Sunday 12/23, after the shop closed we started renovating the north wall. We removed the artwork, removed the wing walls and started scraping the textured paint off the wall. The wall preparation took most of Christmas eve and som