Very nice pennants. Welcome.

Beautiful Hockey pennant!

Mike

I'm thinking about framing my pennants soon. What frames do you guys use? Do you have them framed by professionals or do you frame them up yourself?

Thank you,

Mike

Doing it yourself can cost 1/4 to 1/10th as much money. I do all of mine myself. Here's a good rule of thumb for many people (depending on their budget...)

If the pennant is worth over $400, then perhaps consider professional framing.

If it's under a $400 pennant, then the project is probably not worth it. The custom framing could cost more than the pennant itself (which makes little sense). Aaron Bros. always has a nice selection of ready-made frames. Check out the ones that are made to display 3 photos horizontally. Those usually work well for pennants (but not always).

Those "ready made" frames already have the glass and the backing. Then you'll just need to choose a mat (which the pennant will rest on top of). Choose a subtle colored mat that has the same outer dimensions of the frame. They will cut it for you on the spot.

It's a piece of cake to put it together, and will cost about $55 instead of $400. Plus, Aaron Bros. has a permanent on-line coupon, good for 50% off any one item. Just Google "Aaron Brothers Coupons" and you'll find it.

Framing
 

I've been doing these myself (online), getting the frame, glass with UV protection and non-glare, and backing for about 1/4 of the cost of shops like Aaron Brothers. The place I use is called Frame Destination.

I like using the fake suede as backing, as it keeps the pennant from moving around. No need for tape, stitching, or anything else. The pennant will touch the glass... I know that some people have concerns about that. I've had to buy this type backing elsewhere (i.e., from Aaron Brothers), but then just use it in the frame that comes in the mail.

The Santa Clara pennant is 5 feet long, and the total cost to frame it was less than $300 (even with UV protection and anti-glare). It has more historical than monetary significance. Around 1915, the All Blacks rugby team traveled to the US and played a number of west coast teams (including Santa Clara). The All Blacks won the game and took the pennant. I purchased it from someone in New Zealand several years ago.

I think Aaron Brothers wanted about $800 to frame the Seals pennant. I was able to do it for about $200.

Great suggestion, Mark, even if I never plan on being a "framed pennant guy."

Michael's has the same coupons every week, 40-60% off.

Good point.... Aaron Bros. and Michael's... same parent company. Aaron Bros. just tends to be a bit more high-end. :cool:

I had Aaron Bros in Vegas but we have Michaels in Salt Lake.

AB is for artists; Michaels seems to be for "crafters."

Here in NYC, its Michaels. One just opened in Manhattan and I know of one in Queens.

Personally, I like Hobby Lobby better. There isn't a Hobby Lobby close by though.

Mike

Here in Houston we have Michael's and Hobby Lobby as well. Never heard of Aaron Bros. I've had my framing done at Michael's (Travel posters...not pennants). It's not exactly cheap...even with their perpetual, always on sale, framing coupon.

I've got a 5 foot map of Manhattan neighborhoods that I've been meaning to take in...if I could just stop buying pennants, I'd have the money to frame it. ;)