Kaleidoscope Framing
Shrewsbury
Had an amazing time with Kaleidoscope Framing in Shrewsbury today. A detailed look at their framing and mounting process along with some in-depth discussions on print colour profiles and colour spaces to ensure what is delivered is as expected.
Since Welshpool Framers closed shop a few years ago, and after looking around at some smaller local framers and not being overly impressed, I decided, to start producing frames and mounts myself.
I’ve supplied and mounted priceless art work and prints for a wide range of customers, created bespoke frames for businesses, wedding couples along with display memorabilia for loved ones, always with an eye open for framers who I could trust and work with to further expand my portfolio, and today, I have found one, or, they may have found me!
Kaleidoscope Framing is located on the other side of Shrewsbury on the Battlefield Enterprise Park.
I met first with Laura who took me to their customer meeting room, introduced me to another Laura and Andy who said we were just waiting for two other photographers. Carrie and Amy duly arrived then Andy took us through introductions and an overview of Kaleidoscopes framing services.
Looking around the meeting room at the frame samples on the wall, I could see that this was a company who prided themselves on quality. As Andy took us through the types of equipment used, their supplier materials, paper and machinery, it was obvious that Kaleidoscope ethos was an exact match to mine, from print to frame, to presentation along with standard practices for conservation materials used.
After Andy’s introduction, Laura invited us to a tour of the factory floor. Here we could see how prints and mounts were produced along with nice little touches such as artist signatures added to the design.
We then went downstairs and met with Ant, a master moulding cutter and frame builder. Ant gave us a demonstration of the machinery used to cut mouldings to size, underpinning and finishing.
We then met with Magda on the assembly team, Magda works her magic on dusting, sealing, glazing, backboard pinning, frame hardware and boxing frames ready for dispatch. Each frame is signed by Magda which goes to adding that personal touch to each order.
As Andy said in his presentation, anything that is not quite right, they are always approachable and being a framing company with the photographer at the heart of the business, they work closely with photographers throughout the order process to ensure the best quality is achieved for your prints, frames and mounts.
A very enjoyable day spent with Andy and the team at Kaleidoscope Framing, thank you so much for the tour, the buffet and the very warm welcome.
