About Us

A History of Preservation with a Modern Day Approach

At JW Frame Crafters, preserving memories is more than a craft—it’s a calling. Founded by Joel Kurlan’s family and rooted in over 40 years of experience, we specialize in museum-quality framing and restoration that blends old-world craftsmanship with modern conservation techniques.

From rare historical art to cherished family photos, every piece is treated with the same care, integrity, and expertise. Using conservation-grade materials and museum-approved methods, we help ensure your treasures last for generations.

Whether you’re a collector, a gallery, or simply someone with a beloved keepsake, our mission is the same: to guide you through preserving what matters most, without pressure—only trust, quality, and respect for your story.

Framing isn’t just about wood and glass. It’s about legacy, love, and keeping your memories alive.

Custom Picture Framing

Custom Picture Framing

Custom picture framing should be exciting, not overwhelming. With access to thousands of frame mouldings, a wide selection of conservation and decorative mats, and multiple glass options to protect against harmful UV rays, we make it easy to find the perfect combination for your artwork.

Our frame visualization software lets us show you exactly how your piece will look with any option you choose—helping you feel confident before making a decision.

We believe in transparent pricing. You’ll see the exact cost of each choice so you can stay within your budget while achieving a design you love.

With over 40 years of experience, we offer more than just framing. From photo printing and restoration to preserving treasured memorabilia, we’re here to bring your vision to life.

Stop in today to start your project, explore ideas, or simply chat with us about your next creation.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

We do not require appointments—walk-ins are always welcome. However, we recommend making an appointment to ensure you receive the time and attention your project deserves, at a time that works best for your schedule.

Make An Appointment!

How long does a custom framing order take?

Most projects take 2–3 weeks, depending on materials and design complexity. Rush options may be available for simpler jobs, but we never compromise quality for speed.

What should I bring with me for a framing consultation?

Bring the artwork or object you’d like framed, and any ideas or inspirations you may have. We’ll guide you through selecting mats, frames, and glazing to best complement and protect your piece.

Can I bring in something unusual, like fabric, memorabilia, or 3D objects?

Absolutely. We specialize in creative solutions for textiles, keepsakes, and dimensional items. Each piece is evaluated for the best mounting and framing approach.

Do you use pre-made frames?

No. All of our frames are cut, joined, and finished by hand in our shop. This ensures each frame is built to perfectly fit your artwork.

Can you match an old or existing frame?

In many cases, yes. While exact matches may not always be possible, we’ll work to find a close alternative that complements your existing piece or collection

Do you require a deposit?

Yes, a 50% deposit is required at the time of order. The balance is due when you pick up your finished frame.

How will my artwork be handled?

With great care. All handling, mounting, and assembly are done by hand by our experienced staff. We use archival techniques and materials to preserve your artwork.

Can I get a quote over the phone or online?

Because framing is highly customized, we can only provide accurate quotes after seeing your artwork in person. If you’d like, you can send a photo in advance to help us give you a rough idea.

What happens if my frame or glass breaks in the future?

We offer repair services for broken glass, corner separations, and mat replacements (within certain limits). Bring it in, and we’ll evaluate what can be done.

Do you ship finished frames?

Yes, we do ship. Smaller pieces can be shipped with glass, but for anything larger than 16×20 we use plexiglass to prevent shattering that could damage your artwork. Every shipment is carefully packaged—frames are wrapped in bubble wrap with corner protectors, floated between layers of cardboard, and placed inside a sturdy box for safe delivery.

Photographic Restoration

Photographic Restoration & Preservation

Your photographs tell the story of your life and the lives before you—and at JW Frame Crafters, we make sure those stories are preserved for generations to come.

With over 40 years of experience, Joel Kurlan combines traditional craftsmanship with modern digital tools to restore damaged or faded photographs while keeping the originals safe. We never work directly on your original photo. Instead, we scan it at high resolution, perform all restoration work on the digital file, and return your original exactly as it arrived.

Our restoration work can:

  • Repair tears, creases, and scratches
  • Remove stains and water damage
  • Revive faded colors and tones
  • Rebuild missing or damaged areas when possible

In addition to restoration, we offer high-resolution scanning for family albums, loose prints, slides, and negatives—perfect for archiving, sharing, or creating new prints. We handle fragile, glued-in, and delicate materials with care, ensuring no harm comes to your originals.

We can also produce museum-quality reprints using archival papers and inks, so your restored images look stunning and last for decades. Whether you have a single treasured portrait or a century’s worth of family history, we treat every project with the same level of precision, respect, and attention to detail.

Preserve the past. Protect the future.

Will my original photo be altered during restoration?

No. We never work on the original photograph. We scan it, perform all restoration digitally, and return your original exactly as it was.

What kinds of damage can you fix?

We can digitally repair tears, creases, stains, water damage, fading, discoloration, and even rebuild missing portions when possible.

Do you work with old photo albums?

Yes. We can carefully scan entire albums, including fragile or glued-in photographs, without removing or damaging them.

Can you restore slides and negatives?

Absolutely. We scan 35mm slides, film strips, and larger formats, reduce dust and scratches, and restore color and detail.

What will I receive after restoration?

You’ll receive your original items back in their original condition, plus your restored images as digital files. We can also create museum-quality prints if you wish.

How long does the process take?

Turnaround time depends on the number of images and the level of restoration needed, but most projects are completed within 1–2 weeks.

Is my family history safe with you?

Yes. We handle every project in-house, with the utmost care, and we treat every photograph as if it were part of our own family story.

Scanning & Digital Preservation

We provide professional scanning services to help you preserve your photographs and film in high-quality digital formats. We can scan:

  • Printed Photos – From wallet-size prints to oversized portraits, capturing every detail and color.
  • Negatives – Including standard 35mm and medium format film.
  • Slides – 35mm, mounted or unmounted.

    High-Resolution Quality
    Our scanners produce high-resolution digital files, ensuring your images are sharp and ready for printing, archiving, or sharing. We use color correction and dust reduction techniques to bring out the best in every image, without damaging the original.

    File Formats & Delivery
    We provide your scans as JPEG or TIFF files, depending on your needs. Files can be delivered via USB drive, cloud download link, or burned to archival discs for long-term storage.

    Album Digitization
    We can digitize entire photo albums, carefully scanning each page or image to preserve the story as it was originally arranged. This is ideal for safeguarding family history and passing it on to future generations.

    Additional Options
    For images that have faded, discolored, or suffered damage, we also offer digital restoration services. Using the scanned image, we can correct colors, repair tears, and remove blemishes—while your original stays safe and unchanged.

    Digitizing your memories protects them from time, light, and accidents, while making them easy to share with family anywhere in the world.

Repair Services

Picture Frame Repair Services

At JW Frame Crafters, we focus on safe, lasting repairs that protect your artwork. Below is a clear guide to what we can—and cannot—do, so you know exactly what to expect.

What We Can Do

  • Replace broken glass with new, high-quality materials to safeguard your art.
  • Repair split corners by rejoining the frame; in some cases, we’ll carefully separate the frame into its four legs and trim the ends to achieve a strong, long-lasting repair.
  • Replace damaged matboards with fresh archival materials when water damage is present and the artwork and frame can be recovered.

What We Cannot Do

  • Repair frames broken along an individual leg.
  • Repair cracks in frames or replace missing frame pieces.
  • Cut or modify antique glass with visible air bubbles (it is too fragile and brittle).
  • Clean or repair frames exposed to smoke.
  • Work on frames that are excessively water-damaged, too dirty, or infested (e.g., nesting bugs). In these cases, replacement is recommended.

Quotes & Pre-Review

All repairs and replacements require an in-person review for an accurate quote. To save you a trip, please email photos first. If we can determine a project is unrepairable from images, we may be able to prevent transporting the frame.

Can you replace broken glass in my frame?

Yes. We replace your broken glass with new, high-quality materials including Conservation Clear UV Glass, Museum Glass, UV Plexiglass, and Optium Museum Plexiglass.

My frame has split corners—can you fix it?

Yes. We can rejoin split corners. In some cases, we may need to separate the frame into four legs and trim the ends slightly to ensure a strong, lasting repair.

Can you repair a frame that has a broken leg?

No. Frames broken along an individual leg cannot be repaired. In these cases, replacement is the best option.

Do you repair cracks or replace missing pieces of a frame?

No. We cannot repair cracks in frames or rebuild missing frame sections.

Can you replace a damaged matboard?

Yes. If the matboard has water damage but the artwork and frame are otherwise recoverable, we can replace it with fresh, archival-quality materials.

Do you work with antique glass?

We cannot cut or modify antique glass with visible air bubbles—it is too fragile and brittle to safely work with.

Can you clean or repair smoke-damaged frames?

No. Unfortunately, frames exposed to smoke cannot be safely cleaned or repaired. Replacement is recommended.

What if my frame has extensive water damage, dirt, or bugs?

If a frame is in poor condition—too dirty, heavily water damaged, or infested (e.g., nesting bugs)—we cannot repair or clean it. In these cases, replacement is the only safe solution.

How do I get a quote for repair work?

All repairs and replacements must be reviewed in person for an accurate quote. To save you a trip, please send us photos first—often we can determine whether a project is repairable before you bring it in.