Custom Mats and Frames for a Fetvadjian Print
Yes, and the choices matter more than usual. Fetvadjian's architectural watercolors carry their own palette, so the mat and frame should follow the work rather than fight it.
Yes. Any reputable custom framer can cut a mat and build a frame to your dimensions, typically within two to four weeks. For a Fetvadjian print, plan on a pale off-white or warm grey mat and a slim dark wood or matte metal frame, which suits his architectural subject matter. Expect roughly $60 to $250 depending on size, glazing and materials.
Start With the Print Itself
Fetvadjian spent decades drawing and painting Armenian churches, monasteries and carved ornament, mostly working in the decades around 1900. His sheets are usually architectural studies in watercolor and ink, which means strong stone tones, deep shadows and a good deal of exposed paper. That paper tone is the first thing a mat has to agree with.
Hold the print against a few mat samples in daylight before deciding. Pure bright white will make an aged paper tone look yellowed by comparison. An off-white, ivory or soft grey mat keeps the sheet looking intentional. If the work has strong ochres or terracottas, a mat with a faint warm cast will flatter it without drawing attention to itself.
Choosing the Frame
The frame should be quieter than the drawing. A slim profile in dark walnut, black or aged brass reads as architectural, which suits the subject. Avoid ornate mouldings and wide gilt frames. They belong to a different tradition of painting and will make a measured architectural study look over-dressed.
If you are matching existing decor, work from the room rather than the print. Note the metal finishes and wood tones already in the space and pick the nearest quiet frame. The print carries the personality. A matte black metal frame disappears almost anywhere, which is often the correct outcome when the walls already have color or pattern.
What to Check Before You Commit
Ask for a conservation mat board and acid-free backing. Cheap mats contain lignin that browns the paper over years, and on a print with generous exposed paper this damage is visible, not hidden. Confirm the print is hinged with archival tape rather than dry-mounted, so it can be reframed later without loss.
Glazing is the other decision. Standard glass is fine for a hallway or study. Museum glass or acrylic costs more but removes reflections on a print with fine linework, and linework is exactly where reflections do the most damage. If the piece will hang opposite a window, the upgrade earns its price.
Before ordering
- Request acid-free, conservation-grade mat board and backing
- Ask for archival hinging so the print stays removable
- Choose glazing based on where the piece will hang
- Match the frame to the room's existing finishes, not the print
What Custom Framing Costs
For a common print size such as 12 by 16 inches, a basic custom mat and frame from a high street framer typically runs $60 to $120. Add museum glass and the figure moves toward $180 to $250. Larger architectural sheets, which Fetvadjian's subjects sometimes suit, scale up from there.
Online frame services cost less, often $40 to $100 for a comparable size, but you do the measuring and the mat color range is narrower. If you already know the exact dimensions and want a standard off-white mat, that route is perfectly sound. If you want a framer's eye on the mat tone, pay for the local option.
A quiet frame is not a compromise. On architectural drawings it is the whole point.
| Option | Typical cost, 12x16 | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| High street framer, basic | $60 to $120 | Mat tone advice and exact sizing |
| High street framer, museum glass | $180 to $250 | Bright rooms and fine linework |
| Online frame service | $40 to $100 | Standard sizes and off-white mats |
| Ready-made frame with custom mat | $25 to $60 | Tight budgets with standard dimensions |
Custom framing options compared
Key takeaways
- Custom matting and framing is available for any print size from any professional framer.
- An off-white or warm grey mat suits the aged paper tone typical of Fetvadjian's architectural studies.
- A slim dark wood or matte metal frame keeps the focus on the drawing.
- Conservation mat board and archival hinging protect the print and keep it reframeable.
Related questions
Should a Fetvadjian print be matted or framed full bleed?
Mat it. His architectural studies read as drawings, and a mat gives the linework breathing room the way a sheet would sit in a portfolio. A full-bleed frame suits paintings with edge-to-edge color, not ink and watercolor studies on paper. Three to four inches of mat is a sensible proportion for most print sizes.
Can I frame a Fetvadjian print without glass?
Not recommended. Works on paper fade and collect dust when left open to the air, and his fine architectural linework shows grime quickly. Glazing with UV-filtering glass or acrylic is worth the modest extra cost if the piece hangs in a room with daylight. Any framer will offer it as a standard option.
How long does custom framing take?
Most local framers complete a standard mat and frame job in one to three weeks, depending on moulding availability and their workload. Online services often ship within a similar window once you upload dimensions. If you have a date in mind, ask at the counter before ordering rather than after.
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