Why Custom Framing Is More Than Just a Frame
— It's a Story Worth Keeping
I’ve Been Framed has been producing custom-made picture frames in Logan City since 2004, delivering professional yet personal services to clients across the southern suburbs of Brisbane and beyond. But if you ask Barry, owner of I’ve Been Framed, what he actually does, the answer is simple: he gives things the respect they deserve.
The Things We Almost Let Slip Away
Think about the items sitting in boxes, drawers, or the back of a wardrobe right now. The jersey from that seasons-long premiership run. Your grandmother’s embroidery. A child’s first finger painting. The certificate that’s been placed in a drawer for two years because you never quite got around to getting it framed.
These things don’t lose their meaning — they just get lost in the busyness of life.
Custom framing isn’t a luxury. It’s a decision to say: this matters, and I’m going to treat it like it does.
What Custom Framing Actually Involves
There’s a common misconception that framing is a simple process — pick a frame off the shelf, pop something in it, done. But real custom framing is a craft, and the difference shows.
Barry takes the utmost care with every special item that comes through the door — whether it’s a signed football jersey, a piece of art that has a sentimental attachment for you or a canvas painting you purchased on your travels. Each project is different, and the approach has to match.
Here’s what goes into a quality custom frame job:
Material selection. The frame moulding, matboard, and backing are chosen to complement the piece — The frame and matboard/s should be an extension of the framed item, not simply a add on. Colour, texture, depth, and proportion all matter. A heritage sports guernsey needs a different treatment than a watercolour painting or a university degree.
Conservation-grade materials. Acid-free matboards, acid-free foamcore, and specialty tapes for hinging and joining protect your piece from deterioration over time. Cheap alternatives might look fine at first — but they can cause yellowing, warping, and damage within a few years. When something is irreplaceable, you don’t cut corners on what’s protecting it.
Glass options. Standard glass, UV-filtering glass, anti-reflective glass — each serves a different purpose depending on where the piece will be displayed and how much light it’s exposed to. Barry will walk you through which option makes sense for your situation.
Custom sizing. Nothing is forced into a standard size. Every frame is built around the piece, not the other way around.
The Services That Set I've Been Framed Apart
From artwork and photographs to posters and prints, I’ve Been Framed prides itself on being highly attentive to each project, aiming to achieve exactly how you want the finished product to look — using only the best materials available. The result is a frame that feels intentional, not generic.
Certificates represent years of effort. Whether it’s a trade qualification, a university degree, a sporting achievement, or a professional accreditation, the way it’s presented reflects the significance of what was earned. A properly framed certificate doesn’t just look good — it communicates pride.
Over the years Barry from I’ve Been Framed has framed 100’s of sports Jerseys, match worn by the individual or a prominent player or jerseys signed by teams. Signed sports posters and photos, as well as limited edition posters of Sporting Stadiums. Many of these capture the moment of an historic victory or memory..— the presentation is built to honour the story behind the item.
If you’ve got a piece of sports history sitting in a bag or cupboard somewhere, it deserves better.
Artists and photographers know the frustration of a canvas that isn’t properly stretched — it affects how the piece looks and how it holds up over time. Professional canvas stretching ensures the work is taut, square, and ready to display or frame, without risk of warping or sagging. Add to this a touch of class and have it mounted in a float frame. Not too sure you want to go to the extent of doing that? The good news is, that is something that can be added at a later date.
Local Matters
There’s something to be said for working with someone who lives and operates in your community. I’ve Been Framed is located on Brisbane’s southside in Springwood, Logan, providing specialised custom framing solutions for your valuables and keepsakes.
Barry isn’t a chain. He’s not processing orders in a warehouse. He’s a craftsman who takes on each project personally, gives genuine advice, and genuinely cares whether the finished product is something you’re proud to hang on your wall. That kind of service is harder to find than it used to be — and worth seeking out when you do.
I’ve Been Framed guarantees to beat any genuine quote, which means you don’t have to choose between quality and value.
Ready to Frame Something Worth Keeping?
If you’ve been meaning to get something framed — and let’s be honest, most of us have something in mind — now’s a great time to make it happen.
I’ve Been Framed is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm (with after-hours appointments available until 6pm), Friday from 8:30am to 3:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Please note- I’ve Been Framed is closed for business on the last Friday and Saturday of each month.
Drop in, give Barry a call on (07) 3290 0621, or reach out through the contact form on the website. Bring the item— and let the conversation start from there.
Because some things are worth more than a box in a drawer.