What a ₹9,200 frame actually costs to make

Customers sometimes ask why a frame can cost as much as the print inside it. Here is what goes into our gilt fillet frame for a 50 × 70 cm watercolour, priced at ₹9,200.

The moulding comes first. We buy seasoned wood in lengths and cut it ourselves. A frame this size uses about 2.6 metres of moulding, plus the gold fillet that sits inside it. Together they cost around ₹2,400, including what is lost at the mitre cuts.

The mount and backing come next: a cotton rag mount board cut with a bevel, a backing board that does not yellow, and hinges made of Japanese tissue so the paper can expand and contract. That is about ₹1,500. The glass is the most expensive single item. Glass that cuts most UV light and does not reflect much costs about ₹2,200 for this size.

Then labour. Cutting, joining, filling the corners, finishing, cutting the mount, hinging the work and fitting everything takes Joseph or one of the framers about four hours. With courier packing and our rent, that brings the total close to the price.

If the budget is tight, ordinary glass saves ₹1,400 and a plain black frame saves more. We will always tell you what each choice changes.