Forte Framing and Gallery

Just had a few pieces framed and they turned out fabulously! Super helpful in making good recommendations (like picking just the right shade of white mat), reasonably priced and wonderful results. A great local business!

This place is amazing. They are so easy and take the time to help you decide what will make the best frame for your artwork. Very friendly and very professional, also had the work completed very quickly for me to pick up and beautiful pieces for sale too view while in store. Highly recommend.

Jude was really honest about the process and upfront about the costs and what it all entailed. We asked him to pick out a frame that was «fiting» for the picture. He came back with 5 frame samples, but I was sold on the very first one he picked.
They framed a beautiful oil painting we got at a market outside of London, and it is hanging up in our basement. If we have any other things to frame, we’ll happily do business with Forte Framing again.

Love this place!
Amazing quality. Not exactly cheap but totally worth every penny.
I’ve had two pictures framed there, a year apart and they recognised me and remembered the frame I bought! That’s service!

Pretty expensive, but the staff was incredible and so helpful. Excited to see how the framed piece looks!

We love the service at Forte. We have had 9 (and counting) pieces framed here. Each time we were presented with several different options for frame type and mat. Have been extremely happy with the end result on each and every piece.

Jude was amazing in helping me pick multiple designs, explaining the process, and adding unique elements to complement my aesthetics. The product is beautiful and I’ll definitely return for the next pieces. Prices were reasonable. I’m a strong believer in customer service, so at that point price is no concern when you’re supporting awesome small businesses in the area.

This is much overdue. Jude has framed probably a dozen pictures for me in the last few years. I am very particular regarding my artwork and he really takes the time to make sure you have the right frame for your artwork. He now knows my style better than I do :) His prices are very reasonable and is prompt in getting the work done. If there is a delay (which is rare) he contacts you right away. Proud to be part of the Forte Framing family!

This is way overdue, but in an attempt to live like grown-​ups, my husband and I got 3 pieces framed at Forte a couple years ago: a vintage Batman poster and 2 WPA prints. Jude and his wife were super enthusiastic about helping us pick out frames, and were very honest about the prices and types of glass/​frames/​etc. we could select. Professional framing can feel a bit like getting your car repaired when you don’t know anything about cars. Do we need the anti-​reflective glass? Should we spring for the deluxe matting even though the pieces themselves only cost like $ 20? At Forte, we never felt like we were being scammed. The pieces turned out beautiful and have been displayed proudly in our home ever since. Highly recommend Forte!

Jude was very helpful. I walked in, got my frame fixed within ten minutes and his price was VERY reasonable. Would recco that you go here for your framing needs in the future. Shop local!

Jude, you delivered above and beyond what I expected when you called to notify me that my framed image was being delivered today. Now that’s great customer service! Thank you Jude:)

Jude, you’re the man. I just got 5 prints framed there and I loved the time Jude spent with me while we selected the frames and he turned it around in less than a week and I was super pleased with the end result. The prices are reasonable as well so simply put, the next time I need anything framed, I’m heading over to Forte. Great selection of frames and again, Jude takes the time to make sure you’re happy with the framing selections and all. Highly highly recommended!
–Vivek

This is actually my first Unilocal review – I felt so compelled to write it after my experience with Jude at Forte. I haven’t even received my framed pieces back and I’m already reviewing because I was so pleased with his knowledge, service and price! (You get 20% off of your first framing transaction!)
I went in there with 3 very large prints to frame and all required very different framing solutions, styles, and consultation. I was there for HOURS and Jude was so patient with me to help select the best frame for each one. He was understanding about my budget and respectfully helped to keep costs down as much as possible and never tried to upsell or convince me to spend more. It was very refreshing!
He was also very knowledgeable and explained to me the reason behind the color and proportion of each frame we considered and why it worked or didn’t. It really made me feel confident in his expertise and that I was making the right decision and would be please with it when finished.
I spent about $ 700 total on all 3 pieces, which is a lot of $$ for sure, but a steal for what I got. Did I mention that one of the pieces was framed when I brought it in and that in order to help me save $, Jude is going to cut my old glass to fit my new frame rather than making me buy a new piece? That’s amazing, honest, service.
My friend told me he spent $ 1100 to frame a similar piece that was the same size as one of my pieces! It looks great and I’m not about bashing small businesses so I won’t say where, but I will say… don’t waste your time/​$$ going anywhere else for custom framing. Go to Forte!

A+, wonderful service! We came in needing a frame for a last minute wedding present. Despite the time crunch the owner found us an amazing frame and did a super quick job getting it done — and the painting looked AMAZING! The owner really knows how to make something look even better. Plus, we got a great discount.
We will definitely be back to get stuff framed in the future. I’d recommend this place to anyone who wants a great job done.
Thanks so much for an amazing job! Blown away by the service and finished product.

Great customer service! I came in a few weeks ago to figure out what to do with a raw canvas. I’d wanted to have a picture of my boyfriend printed on canvas and framed as a present, and Forte was definitely able to help.
When I showed up, we went over all of the different framing options that were within my budget. As a full-​time student, I have to make sure my gifts don’t blow my budget– I was able to choose a frame that not only looks great, but I can easily afford. Since I liked my artwork textured (canvas), I chose to skip the glazing.
Add a new client discount of 10% to make the pricing even more reasonable, and two weeks later I have a final product that I’m proud to give as a gift!
(photo of said framing work is uploaded to Unilocal.)

I took advantage of a discount offered by Unilocal for this place to get something framed as a «thank you» gift to a client. Specifically, I was looking to have three plaques engraved with some writing and neatly positioned under the glass.
The owner said that it’s not something that he normally would do, but that he could do it. I was a little wary, but after some deliberation, he said that he would do me this as a favor and would order away for the plaques and that I’d be happy with the work. I was told that it would be ready in 2 weeks.
After 4 weeks went by I called to check on the status of my framing and they had not even ordered the plaques yet. I had to reconfirm exactly how the plaques should read as they’d lost the original copy. From here it took another 2 – 3 weeks to get the finished piece.
I was reasonably happy with the final product, but a little annoyed that no one apologized for the extra month + I had to wait. Overall, I would caution anyone hoping for a relatively quick turnaround. If it’s not time-​sensitive, Forte is worth considering as they have competitive pricing.

Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad. Take some sad art and make it better.
Granted, I don’t advise you take «bad» art to have framed at Forte (unless you’re REALLY into that stuff — we’re in Wicker Park. I won’t judge) because it will cost you a bit. I took three pieces — two medium-​sized vintage ad prints and one smaller oil painting of Karen O. Since this was my first time having anything framed ever, I had no idea what to expect in terms of quality or price, so I placed a lot of trust in Jude, the owner of the store.
Jude is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to framing — he could pull off a bank heist and blame it on the tellers. We talked for a while, and he told me that he went to school for this sort of stuff (because apparently this exists!), and then worked as a framer at Michael’s or some other similar big box craft store for a while before opening up his own shop, namely Forte. And his experience shows.
His work on my pieces weren’t extremely extravagant (by his suggestion and my agreement), but, when I asked about the crazier types of frames he’s done, he demonstrated some of his previous ideas, including two different, but complementary, frames layered on top of each other (what!!!). I was blown away by how awesome this idea was, and really wanna find a nice piece of artwork that could take advantage of a frame like that.
The total cost of having two medium-​sized prints framed with a double matting and a smaller oil painting simply and neatly framed with a mat, both with non-​reflective glass, came out to $ 450. The price took me by surprise, but I was so impressed with Jude’s work that I went along with it. Two weeks later, I picked up the three finished pieces and they looked great. He also gave me three sets of wall hooks to hang the artwork up with.
Also, for repeat customers: if you take a photo of your finished frames and put them up on Forte’s Facebook page, you receive a discount on your next framing work. I haven’t had anything to frame since my three so I don’t remember how much the discount was, but I think it was around 10%. Not sure if this was a limited time thing or not, so if you’re planning on taking advantage of this deal, I’d ask Jude about it first.

We couldn’t be happier! My sister and brother in law sent us a fabulous housewarming gift. An original painting from one of my favorite Etsy artist! I was so ecstatic to have a new piece of original artwork to go in our first home. I wanted to make the piece a focal point and allow it to receive all the attention it deserves. Unfortunately, with the purchase of a new home comes some belt tightening. I had to skimp on the frame, as sad as it is I will admit, it came from Ikea. Don’t judge.
Luckily, I knew the matting would make or break it, for this beautiful painting. It would make the difference between the painting that would be the center of the room or the painting that could have been amazing had it not been hung in a cheap Ikea frame.
Not to worry — my new next door neighbor Forte Framing and Gallery knew exactly what to recommend. I am an extremely indecisive person. I wish and wash back and forth between ideas — never really feeling completely content with the decision I decide to make. I took the painting and my cheap frame into Forte to see what they could offer. I braced myself. I was sure harsh ridicule would soon ensue due to the lousy frame.
What occurred was a pleasant surprise. It was the exact opposite. They didn’t make me feel ashamed of my Ikea frame and they worked diligently with me in order to find the right matting. We spent quite a bit of time looking at various options. I wished and washed with my decision and ultimately took their advice. They told me that it would be approximately 2 weeks before the piece was ready, but they would notify me when it was complete.
I was extremely surprised when in less than a week and a half they called. My piece was ready to be picked up. My husband and I absolutely love it! It truly is perfect.

I highly recommend Forte to anyone who is looking for professional, quality, and artistic framing. I just recently took my boyfriend to Forte to frame a number of 1920 – 1930’s pennants he had hiding underneath his bed for years. Knowing they were special to him, I took it upon myself to get the process rolling, so we could display these meaningful mementos.
We spent a good chunk of our Saturday afternoon discussing possible designs, framing options etc with Jude, the owner. His ability to creatively pull these pennants together into a piece of art was quite astonishing to be a part of. He took in to consideration what we were looking for, while also suggesting his professional opinion. Not to mention the quality and variety of supplies there is superb. I highly recommend this framing place to all. And will continue to use them for my own personal framing. Thank you, Forte!

I finally decided to get a piece of artwork framed that had been collecting dust in the back of my closet for years. When I saw that Forte opened up essentially across the street, I figured that was a sign telling me to get off my butt and finally get around to give the artwork the love it deserved.
I was a bit hesitant to try out a new business that had just opened, but I am here to report that I just picked up my artwork from Forte and I am happy enough to write a review!
They did a great job on the matting and the framing and the piece actually looks like a totally different work of art: striking and expensive-​looking, instead of dusty and tired-​looking. Forte essentially breathed new life into the piece and I can’t wait to hang it up in our place.
As an added bonus, the people who work here are really nice and easygoing and were fun to just talk to. I am thrilled to have found a frame shop just a few blocks away from where I live.