Framing an Edition - Partnership Process Explained
Whitechapel Gallery - Editions Wall. Artwork avaliable through Whitechapel Editions
Emma Prempeh - The Softness of Late Bloom, 2025
Available from the Hepworth Wakefield shop, and framed by Frame London
The Partner Framing Process Explained
Editions offer an opportunity to own a work by a celebrated artist at a more manageable cost. They can also be a meaningful investment, with value that may increase substantially over time.
At Frame London, we are partnered with several leading galleries who produce and sell editions. Through these partnerships, we offer a 20% discount on framing for their editions.
But what does this partnership actually involve? How is a frame chosen, and what’s important to consider when framing an edition?
Why Framing Matters
At Frame London, we offer true conservation framing. That means every artwork is framed using:
Fully reversible methods
Acid-free materials
Sealed, protective construction
Museum-standard techniques
This ensures the work will not deteriorate over time. Proper framing protects your investment — both financially and culturally.
But framing is about far more than protection.
Aesthetically, the frame should:
Keep the focus on the artwork
Enhance the overall presentation
Respect the artist’s preferred style
Complement the gallery’s display standards
The goal is never to overpower the work, but to support and elevate it.
William Kentridge - Poetry is Elsewhere (2025), Avaliable through Whitechapel Editions and Framed by Frame London
Documentation & Long-Term Value
As a matter of course, we photograph any signatures, edition numbers, stamps, or information on the reverse of the artwork before framing.
This documentation can be invaluable for:
Future resale
Insurance
Provenance records
Long-term collection management
It’s a small but important part of protecting your investment.
Artist & Gallery Collaboration
When our partner galleries frame an edition through us, the artist is often involved in the framing decision.
This may happen:
Directly — with the artist visiting our East London studio
Indirectly — via email consultation
Through conversations with the gallery, who select a frame in keeping with the artist’s intentions
When you frame with us, you can be confident that:
Gallery standards are upheld
The artist’s framing preferences are respected
The presentation matches how the work is displayed in the exhibition
Harland Miller, XXX - Originally sold through ICA Editions (Sold Out). Framed by Frame London
A Seamless Partner Experience
One of the key benefits of our gallery partnerships is the smooth handover process.
Here’s how it works:
1. The Artwork is Created
Often alongside a major exhibition or show.
2. Consultation
The artist or a gallery representative visits our studio to select a frame that complements the work and reflects the intended presentation. This will then go on display at the Gallery for the show and beyond.
3. Purchase
The customer purchases the artwork — often directly through the gallery — along with framing at the discounted rate.
The artwork is then hand-delivered to our studio. If needed, we speak with the client about final choices such as:
Glass upgrades (e.g. UV protection, anti-reflective)
Mount options
Preferred hanging systems
4. Archival Framing
Each frame is made bespoke in our East London studio using museum-grade conservation techniques.
5. Ready to Hang
The framed work is either:
Collected directly from us
Delivered back to the gallery for onward shipping
Collected from the gallery
We typically offer a faster turnaround alongside the 20% partner discount on Framing.
The Editions wall at South London Gallery
Frame Your Edition as Intended
If you’ve recently purchased an edition from one of our partner galleries — including:
ICA Editions
South London Gallery Editions
Whitechapel Gallery Editions
Or selected works we have framed for:
— get in touch!
We can frame your edition exactly as it was displayed in the gallery, with full conservation standards, seamless handling, and a 20% partner discount included.