Modern Memory Design vs Michaels Custom Framing
Craft-store framing counter or dedicated frame shop? Here's an honest comparison on price, quality, and turnaround.
Michaels is everywhere, and their custom framing counter is many people's first framing experience. The constant “60–70% off” promotions make it feel like a bargain. But those discounts come off inflated list prices, your art is typically shipped to a regional production facility, and the person at the counter is a retail employee — not a framer. At Modern Memory Design, framing is the entire business, not a department. Here's how the two actually compare.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Modern Memory Design | Michaels Custom Framing |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Dedicated framers who cut, join, mat, and fit every piece on-site in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | Order taken at a retail counter; most assembly happens at centralized facilities |
| Pricing | Straightforward everyday pricing — no inflated list price, no coupon games | High list prices offset by near-constant percentage-off promotions |
| Turnaround | Typically about a week; rush available since everything is built in-house | Often one to two weeks or more, since pieces travel to and from a production hub |
| Your art's safety | Your piece never leaves our studio | Original art is usually transported off-site for assembly |
| Specialty work | Jerseys, shadowboxes, oversized canvas, conservation framing, custom mat cutting | Standard custom framing menu; complex specialty work is limited |
| Online ordering | Full online store with thousands of frame sizes shipped nationwide | Online custom framing available through their site |
The Coupon Math, Honestly
A “70% off” frame is only a deal relative to its list price. Craft-store custom framing list prices are widely known to be set high so promotions look dramatic. When you compare the final price for the same size, glass, and mat, a dedicated shop is frequently comparable or cheaper — with a framer, not a sales associate, handling your piece. Bring us any written Michaels quote and we'll give you a straight apples-to-apples number: 201-421-4060.
Where Michaels Makes Sense
Fair is fair: if you have a mass-produced poster, no timeline, and a big coupon, Michaels is a serviceable choice with locations everywhere. For anything irreplaceable — diplomas, wedding photos, original art, memorabilia — a dedicated frame shop is the safer call.
Shop Frames Built by Framers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michaels custom framing really 70% off?
The discount is real, but it applies to a high list price. Always compare final out-the-door prices for the same specs. We'll match that comparison against any written quote.
Is a local frame shop more expensive than Michaels?
Often not, once promotions are netted out — and you get a dedicated framer, in-house production, and faster turnaround for the same money.
Does Modern Memory Design offer conservation framing like Michaels?
Yes — acid-free mats, conservation glazing, and archival mounting for diplomas, heirlooms, and original art.
Can I order from Modern Memory Design without visiting New Jersey?
Yes. Our online frame store ships nationwide, and you can call 201-421-4060 for help choosing.
Skip the Coupon Games
Modern Memory Design · 213 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 · 201-421-4060 · Tue–Fri 11–6, Sat 10–3
Get Straight Pricing