Giovana Töws - Frames

Custom Hand-Made WOODEN Frames IN ANTWERP

Simple box-style frames, hand-made by an artist, for artists.

I started making frames for my own paintings in 2025. With every new frame, I learned something new, experimented with different solutions, and gradually arrived at a result that I found very satisfying.

Soon, some artist friends started asking me to make custom frames for their work. I really enjoyed the process, so I decided to open the service to more artists and take on custom orders.

I don’t have formal training in frame-making. My experience comes from making frames for my own work, learning through the process, and continuously improving my technique. I approach every frame with the same care I give to my own paintings.

Each frame is made specifically for your artwork and your preferences — from the dimensions and type of artwork to the finish, colour, and whether you would like a small gap between the artwork and the frame.

Frame Types

Type 1 - Frame with gap

For paintings stretched on a wooden stretcher, I generally recommend a frame with a gap of around 1 cm between the painting and the frame. This creates a small shadow line around the artwork and gives it some breathing space allowing the viewer to see the sides of the painting.

For stretched paintings, the frame is nailed to the back of the painting to keep everything securely in place. If you prefer your painting not to be fixed to the frame, please let me know when placing your order.

Frame type 1 with dark grey-brown varnish

Frame type 1 with matte black paint

Type 2 - Frame without gap

For works on cardboard, wood board, or another thin support, I generally recommend a frame without a gap. The frame sits directly against the artwork, covering and protecting its edges. I also recommend this type of frame in case you want to hide the sides of the painting for any reason.

In some cases the artwork sits on the frame by pressure, in other cases is necessary to add some drops of glue to fix it to the frame.

Frame type 2 with medium warm brown varnish

Frame type 2 with matte black paint

Type 3 - Frame with passe-partout and flex glass

Ideal for charcoal drawings, pastel drawings, or other delicate works on paper, thin cardboard or loose canvas. It includes a passe-partout (the white surface around the art work) and Flex glass (2mm thickness). This protects the artwork while keeping it beautifully presented.

You can choose to hide the corners of the artwork behind the passe-partout, or leave it fully visible by placing it on top of it.

Because the passe-partout and Flex glass are ordered from specialist suppliers, this option is slightly more expensive. The frame also requires more time to be made because it requires a channel to be excavate into the wood.

Please note that this type of frames are permanently closed once finished. If they need to be opened later, the frame will need to be broken open.

Frame type 3 with dark grey-brown varnish

How it works

1. Get in touch
Send me the dimensions of your artwork and tell me what you would like to frame — a stretched painting, drawing, work on board, etc. Let me know your preferences for glass, finish, colour, gap, and any other details for the frame.

2. Receive a quote
I’ll send you a price based on your requirements.

3. Confirm your order
If you’re happy with the quote, you pay 50% in advance to book the order and secure your place in the production schedule.

4. Bring your artwork to my studio
Once the order is booked, you can bring your painting or drawing to my studio in Antwerp, Belgium.

5. I make your frame
I’ll make the frame by hand specifically for your artwork. Depending on the size, quantity, and my current workload, this usually takes 1–4 weeks.

6. See the finished frame
Once it is ready, I’ll let you know and send you photos of the finished result. If anything needs adjusting, we can discuss it before collection.

7. Collect your framed artwork
If you’re happy with the finished frame, you can come and collect your artwork from my studio. The remaining 50% is paid upon collection.

I can also ship the finished work back to you. Shipping costs are not included in the original quote and will be calculated separately.

Have an artwork that needs a frame?

Get in touch with the dimensions and a few details about your artwork, and we can work out the best framing solution together.

Contact giovana.tows@gmail.com sending the following details:

Your full name:
Your email:
Your phone number (optional):
Quantity:
Artwork(s): Painting on canvas / Painting on wood board / pastel drawing on paper.
Artwork(s) size: 0 x 0 x 0 cm (also include the depth of a stretched canvas).
Type of frame: with gap, without gap, with flex glass and passe-partout.
Deadline: Inform here if you are in a hurry or if you have a deadline.
Color / Finish: Transparent varnish, dark brown, matte black.

More DETAILS about the frames

Wood

I use spruce wood for the frames. The wood is PEFC certified, meaning it comes from sustainably managed forests.

The frames have a simple, contemporary box-style design that keeps the focus on the artwork. They help to protect the corners of the painting while making it pop.

PEFC certified spruce wood

Colors

There are four finishes available:

Transparent varnish Keeps the natural, light beige colour of the wood

Dark grey-brown varnish

Medium warm brown varnish

Matte black paint

Not sure which one color would work best?

I’m happy to help you choose a colour that highlights your artwork.

Construction & support

The construction of each frame depends on its size.

Smaller frames can generally be glued at the corners, sometimes with a very small nail for additional support.

As the frame gets larger, additional reinforcement may be necessary. Depending on the dimensions, I may add one to four nails at the corners to make the frame more resistant. Don't worry, they are small and don't call much attention.

Larger frames — from approximately 60 × 60 cm — may also require diagonal support structures on the back to provide additional stability and strength.

I’ll choose the appropriate construction based on the size and requirements of your frame.

Frame with diagonal support on the back (90x70cm)

Example of the nail in the corner for the frame type 3

Some frames don not require the nail in the corner

Back of the frame type 2. The painting on the cardboard was glued to the frame.

The frame is nailed to the stretcher of the painting on the frame type 1

Stretching prints & canvas

Do you have a loose canvas or canvas print that needs to be stretched?

I also offer a canvas-stretching service. Prints on canvas are often sold and shipped rolled in a tube, and they need to be properly stretched before they can be displayed or framed.

I can prepare a wooden stretcher in the correct size for your artwork and stretch the canvas onto it with the appropriate tension and care, so that it is ready to hang or frame.

If you have a canvas or print that needs stretching, please get in touch for more information and a quote.

giovana.tows@gmail.com

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