City Picture Frame has become my go-to spot for custom framing, although it has a few trade-offs. Let me break it down: The Pros: * Exceptional craftsmanship - they know what they're doing * Huge selection of frames, mats, and glass options * Knowledgeable and friendly staff who take time to walk you through choices * Spacious showroom that makes browsing enjoyable * They handle pieces with great care The Cons: * Premium pricing (expect to pay top dollar) * Turnaround time is on the slower side - plan if you need something by a specific date I recently had a beautiful pen and ink drawing framed here from a trip to Barcelona. The staff helped me pick out the perfect combination of frame and matting that made the piece pop. While I did have to wait about three weeks for completion (and paid more than expected), the result was worth it. Bottom line: If you're not in a rush and are willing to invest in quality custom framing, City Picture Frame delivers beautiful results. Just be prepared for the wait and the higher price point. read more

+ They have a good selection and the staff is knowledgeable enough to help you navigate it. If you make an appointment, they will take the time to help you find what you are looking for. They will make recommendations when you get stuck. - They are a bit on the expensive side, and they are a little bureaucratic for a small shop. Though they are very friendly with the advice and selection process, the business side can make you feel like it is an inconvenience for them to bother doing business with you (even while having 6 pieces of art nicely framed). read more

I've only had work professionally framed here and at Cheap Pete's. Both did a great job, and honestly seemed comparable in price. Onto my experience with City... I had four pieces framed here. One is a papyrus piece from Egypt... pretty straightforward mounting, great job. The others were smaller, very finely detailed paintings on plastic or camel bone or some other translucent material. The paintings really come to life when light is allowed to pass through, so I wanted to frame them that way. I took them to City Picture Frame on a weekday and the staff spent 1-2 hours with me, brainstorming and cross-checking options for "suspending" these pieces between clear glass, without using any adhesives that would be toxic to the material. They were incredibly patient and respectful of my 'vision,' and I think they had fun inventing a solution. I'm not pumping this up to 5 stars because I felt like I had to drive the creative direction and that they could have brought more ideas forward. But, all in all, I was very happy with the outcome, the service, and the price. I would easily go back again. read more

City Picture Frame saved the day. I had 12 huge photos to get framed a day before a show ( it normally takes 2 weeks to get photos framed ) so i walked in completely expecting to be turned away. Not so! The staff was completely gracious, helpful and understanding, turning everything out just in the nick of time. Thank you, thank you, thank you. read more

Needed a custom frame for a gift and was greeted by Megan. She was pleasant and helpful from the second I walked in. She started pulling ideas off the wall and priced everything out for me quickly, took my order and placed it...hopefully, my piece will look extra beautiful when it's ready in 2 weeks! Pretty efficient! Although custom framing is pricey, I was happy to pay it as I felt my needs were met and the service was great! I will be back to have my Giants memorabilia framed too! read more

We have been working with the designers and staff at CPF for many years. We have framed hundreds of pieces during that time. We've also priced other framers for various projects and found CPF to be very competitive. We have brought in several of our clients who have also been happy with them. Their selection is extensive. This is important to us because we need to keep our framing costs low yet sometimes an important piece merits a higher end molding. We usually have lots of options for any given piece. We have worked with virtually all their designers and they are knowledgeable, friendly and somehow strike the right balance between offering their own opinion and staying back when we are in our own groove. They have yet to miss a deadline and are sometimes early. The one time there was a problem they fixed it immediately with no hassle. I also like the new policy of "by appointment" because we don't gave to wait while others are being helped and we can schedule as much time as we think we'll need. I can't thank them enough for their beautiful work, good service and help in making our art shows look great. We always get compliments on our framing. read more

I worked at an agency where we had clients getting articles framed on a regular basis, so I dealt with the wonderful people here somewhat frequently. They're all very kind, patient and listen to your needs. They can accommodate to price and other requests, and if you need ANYTHING framed, and you're looking for a place in SoMA, here's the place to go. Candice, you rock! read more

I love this framing shop. I've had paintings and family photos framed here dating back over a decade. They've always produced the best products for me. Prices are higher than else where but the work is exceptional. The staff are generally very friendly and they provide good feedback. read more

I had a very last minute request to stretch a 30x40 canvas (1 day turn around required). I spoke with Candice and Sylvia, who informed me that they were heavily booked and turn-around is usually several days. Initially instead of just turning me down, they were very helpful in trying to contact other businesses that would be able to do it. After mentioning that it was and emergency and that it was for a wedding in 2 days, they did everything they good to try to accommodate me and was able to squeeze me in! I was in such a tough situation and they were amazingly helpful. It shows that they really care about their customers. I will definitely be doing business with them in the future! read more

4 stars on selection. WHAT a selection. i picked a $700 frame, and couldn't afford it, so the salesperson showed me a version very similar for a lot lot less that was in some drawer. Great customer service and great selection. a little pricey- i hear there's a better place with a good selection and great owner down in castro or noe, but until i find it, i guess i would recommend going here. read more

I recently switched to City Picture Frames after my favorite framing shop in the Castro closed with the retirement of the long-time proprietor. City Picture Frame is convenient: just two blocks from where I work. The staff is really pleasant and vaguely encouraging about some of the art that I've produced myself, which, since I don't really show it except to friends and family, is flattering. Their work is good quality and they deliver when they promise. I will continue to patronize City Picture Frame. read more

yay! City picture frame! The selection is incredible, the staff is so out of control nice, and the art they have displayed in the building is amazing! I've been to one of their art gallery openings and the space was perfect for displaying art. It was breezy, bright, and completely modern. When they have another art gallery opening, I will be there front and center. read more

Michael has been so helpful with our wedding project that we have been working on. They matted our poster in record time, with extremely nice results (and a reasonable price.) I just dropped it off again to have it framed, and I have no doubt it will turn out perfectly! read more

Great staff, great frames, and the prices seem standard to what I see elsewhere. Also they are able to work within a budget and timeframe on large projects. Nothing but praise from me :) I've been taking my company's framing projects as well as personal art there for the past year and they make it look great! Designer Sylvia Hurtado has a fantastic eye for style. read more

I collect some art and have always had them framed here. Their designers work with you to get the right frame to match the particular piece. Great staff and the work is always flawless. There's parking at their office so it's easy to pick up and drop off. read more

I got two new artworks framed, and as always, the staff at City Picture Frame did an excellent job. One of the frames we selected was a little out of my price range, and they did a great job finding a substitute that was more affordable. I can't wait to go back with some more artwork. read more

Great service, great staff, awesome frames. They helped me with a rather odd-ball marketing project for work, it was like a mission impossible task that they were able to help me complete. Sylvia, my contact person at the store, was extremely helpful and everything was done really quickly. They were able to work within the tight time frame I needed and within the budget I had available. I will definitely go back again with my framing needs. read more

This is my "go to" place for framing in San Francisco. many thanks to all the staff who have assisted me.

The best frame shop in the city, in my opinion. As a professional artist I want my work to be shown in the best way possible, including frame quality and archival materials. They have ALL of that down at City Picture Frame. Working with either Candace or Jennifer is a treat. Both are professional and will take any time you need to select the right frame and other materials. They will propose alternates as well. They meet deadlines and work is extremely well constructed and museum quality. read more

I brought in an old 1920's picture and got it framed at City Picture Frame located on Third St. I got quick, knowledgeable, friendly, customer service- which is priceless. Heather, who assisted me on this was great! I will be back again for my own personal use as well as for my company. Thank you. read more

I have been going to City Picture Frame for several years now, and have worked with all of the talented designers. Each piece that I have framed has always turned out amazing, and always flawless. I have gone to a couple of other framers in the city, but none compare to the selection, friendly advice, and good service I always receive from City Picture Frame. Even though they are a busy shop, they always take good care of me and make me feel like my art is the most priceless art in the store. Thanks again, to all of the many amazing designers I have worked with over the years, Sylvia, Candace, and Megan - you are all awesome! Thanks for many jobs well done, and many more to come! read more

Besides having a great selection of gorgeous frames and doing a fabulous job of framing my art, City Picture Frame offers superlative service. I recently worked with design consultant Jennifer Murray on a complicated frame issue that included packaging and FedExing frames to the Caribbean. Jennifer was great: responsive, proactive, prompt, capable, creative, and always friendly. I've been going to City Picture Frame for many years and have always been pleased. This time they went above and beyond - thanks, Jennifer! read more

Horrible service and communication. I stopped by the shop a couple of times to confirm the delivery schedule, one stuff member mention Oct 2, then another mentioned Oct 3. I went today Oct 6 to pick me my art work and they told me it is not ready. It has been more then 6 weeks that they are holding into my artwork. I am a collecting art for ore than 10 years now and dealt we a lot framers but City Picture Frame is the worst service that I have ever experienced. read more

I had 12 peices framed recently and I noticed significant problems 3 of them. The glass was pressing against the artwork and it left marks. They offered to fix them and I asked them to deliver them the next morning which they did. However, the pieces were not fixed properly and in one instance a new problem was created (the art was not square in the frame). The problems were pretty obvious and I'm suprised they weren't caught before they got to me. It makes me wonder if anybody is paying attention there at all. Or, did they notice it and decideto risk it rather than redoing the frame. There are plenty of other framers in the city! read more

$$$$$!!!!! Sorry, but this shop quoted about 2.5X what two other reputable shops did, and about 1.75X what one other good frame shop quoted (all for the identical job-- no change in the info we shared re the job with any of the framing stores that offered a quote)! Their pricing is outrageous to be THAT MUCH greater (2.5X!!!) than others. I would not even bother to get a quote from them in the future. I wish another yelper had shared this info too, which would have saved me the time. read more

A couple of years ago I had to find a new framers as mine was shutting down their business. The outgoing manager referred me to City. From day one my experience has been amazing. Jennifer and Candace have a great eye and really know their stock. They've even helped me out a few times with pieces that needed to be rushed. I've probably been going to City now for 3 years and I've had over 30 pieces framed. not one have I disliked. read more

please take note: you have to make an appointment for services. the shop came highly recommended by an artist friend who uses their services regularly, but you must make an appointment first- it's not anywhere on their Yelp page or website. read more

City Picture Frame used to be very good. Maybe they will be again. I have seen the service and competance slip over the last few orders. I have been a loyal customer but the service has gotten less than optimal. read more

I got a bunch of photos framed here. The service was very nice and I was satisfied with the final product, but they were misleading on setting my expectations for when the project would be ready. They were two days late with it and hadn't told me that it wouldn't be ready in time, so I wasted a trip there to pick up photos. I would be a little more cautious to use them for something very time-critical, but everything else was fine. read more

All I can say is "wow". The team at City Picture Frame came through in a last minute bind. I can't thank them enough. We had a tight deadline for a company party and they were super professional and helpful in a stressful time. The project was recreating lifesize cereal boxes and they helped cut the panels to exact measurements, and then frame the panels together to create an actual box. The staff were super friendly and willing to help. (Note: if you're cutting gator board, their mat cutter can cut up to 3/16" thick). I'm really glad to have discovered them, and know exactly where to go with anything related to framing in the future! 5 stars :) read more

Candace + team were incredibly helpful with a special request to turn around job in a short space of time. Given backlog of work from office location, they still managed to help me as much as possible, and delivered the goods as always. Thank you very much guys! read more