Custom Framing in San Francisco: A Study in Light, Shadow, and Exceptional Craft

At Underglass Custom Framing in San Francisco, we believe great framing is about more than preservation, it’s about atmosphere, emotion, and connection. A recent project, Tree I by Berlin-based artist ARNO, embodies that perfectly.

This hauntingly beautiful C-Type print, a limited edition of just three, captures a stark, leafless tree illuminated against total darkness - a single moment of light in shadow. It’s a photograph that commands stillness, and we wanted the framing to echo that tension.

We used a sleek, slanted hardwood frame in pitch black, allowing the  wood grain to subtly mirror the rough bark of the tree. Additionally, a silver fillet traces the inner edge, reflecting the overexposed branches just enough to suggest the glow of light itself.

As always, the piece was completed with museum-quality materials — UV, clarity with almost no reflection and scratch resistent framing acrylics, a hidden spacer to keep the artwork separate from the surface, and meticulous finishing for both beauty and longevity.

This project is a reminder of what we’ve been doing for over 40 years in San Francisco: turning extraordinary art into timeless, personal statements for the spaces people live in.

Whether you’re framing fine art, photography, or a print you love, we’ll help you find that balance of design and meaning and make your art shine this season.