Smallwoods vs Framebridge: Custom Framing Compared (2026)
Smallwoods vs Framebridge: Custom Framing Compared (2026)
Shopping for custom framing? Smallwoods and Framebridge are two of the most popular options for turning your photos into wall art. Both offer quality products and online ordering — but they take different approaches to materials, pricing, customization, and the customer experience. Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
Quick Summary
| Feature | Smallwoods | Framebridge |
|---|---|---|
| Frame Material | Real wood (handcrafted) | Wood composite and solid wood options |
| Manufacturing | Handcrafted in Longview, TX (East Texas) | Made in USA (Louisville, KY) |
| Production Time | 1–3 business days | 5–10 business days (estimated) |
| Starting Price | From $29.99 (IG Minis), $69 for standard framed prints | From ~$59+ depending on size and frame |
| Custom Photo Upload | Yes — upload and design online | Yes — upload online or mail in item |
| Physical Retail | Online only | Retail stores in select cities |
| Customer Reviews | 487,319+ reviews (Frames product alone) | Thousands of positive reviews |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back | Satisfaction guarantee |
Frame Materials and Construction
Smallwoods
Every Smallwoods frame is made with real wood — handcrafted in Longview, TX. Frame options include Stained (dark walnut/espresso), Almond (light cream), Black, White (vinyl wrap), and Natural (unfinished). The print substrate is premium canvas-textured board for Framed Prints, or genuine poly-cotton woven canvas for Framed Canvas and Wrapped Canvas products. Frames arrive with hanging hardware included on the back.
Framebridge
Framebridge offers a wide variety of frame styles, including solid wood and wood composite frames. Their selection is broad and includes many decorative profile options, which appeals to customers who want more aesthetic variety in frame shape and molding style. They are known for quality construction and offer UV-filtering glazing on many frames.
Key Difference
Smallwoods focuses on a curated set of 5 clean, real-wood frame colors with a modern-minimalist aesthetic. Framebridge offers more frame style variety but at generally higher price points and longer lead times.
Pricing Comparison
Smallwoods Pricing (current sale)
- IG Minis (13×13): from $29.99
- Custom Framed Prints: from $69 (8×10) up to $139 (44×22)
- Acrylic Framed Prints: from $69 (8×10)
- Framed Canvas: from $89 (8×10)
- Wrapped Canvas: from $69 (8×10)
- Hanging Canvas: from $85 (16×16)
- Currently up to 70% off, with additional savings when you buy 2 or more
Framebridge Pricing (as of publication)
Framebridge pricing varies significantly by frame style and size. Entry-level options typically start around $59–$79 for smaller sizes. Larger sizes and premium frame styles can run $150–$400+. Their prices reflect the broader style selection and in-house framing expertise. Framebridge also offers a subscription/loyalty program with discounts for repeat customers.
Key Difference
Smallwoods generally offers lower entry prices with frequent sale discounts and bundle savings. Framebridge's broader style selection comes at a premium, though both can be competitive depending on the specific product.
Product Range
Smallwoods
- Custom Framed Prints — canvas-textured board in real wood frame
- Acrylic Framed Prints — framed print with crystal-clear acrylic panel
- Framed Canvas — poly-cotton canvas floated in slim wood frame
- Wrapped Canvas — gallery-wrap canvas on wooden stretcher bars
- Hanging Canvas — canvas between wood rails with rustic twine
- Wood Cutouts — shaped wood prints (6 shapes, multiple sizes)
- IG Minis — Instagram-style 13×13 gallery frames from $29.99
- Custom Customs — any non-standard size
Framebridge
Framebridge specializes in traditional picture framing with a wide selection of frame profiles, mats, and glazing options. They can also frame physical items (jerseys, documents, art prints). Their strength is breadth of framing style — customers who want a specific molding profile or mat combination will find more options at Framebridge.
Production Time and Shipping
Smallwoods: All custom products are made to order and ship within 1–3 business days from Longview, TX. This is one of Smallwoods' key competitive advantages — fast turnaround for custom handcrafted products.
Framebridge: Production and shipping typically takes longer — estimated 5–10 business days depending on the frame and whether you're uploading digitally or mailing in an item. Their in-store option allows same-day framing for walk-in customers.
Customization Options
Smallwoods: Upload your photo, choose size, frame color, and optional text overlay. The designer app makes it simple and takes 2–3 minutes. Best for photo wall art with a clean, modern aesthetic.
Framebridge: More extensive framing customization — choose from dozens of frame profiles, mat colors, mat widths, and glazing options. Better suited for customers who want fine-grained control over the framing aesthetic, or who need to frame physical prints, artwork, or memorabilia.
Where Each Wins
Choose Smallwoods if you want:
- Fast production (1–3 business days)
- Affordable pricing with frequent sales and bundle discounts
- Real wood frames in a clean, modern style
- Multiple canvas and print format options beyond traditional frames
- Easy online photo upload — done in minutes
- Gallery walls — Smallwoods' range of sizes and styles is designed for it
Choose Framebridge if you want:
- A wider selection of frame profiles and molding styles
- Custom matting and glazing options
- The ability to frame physical items (jerseys, documents, original art)
- An in-person framing experience (retail locations available)
Verdict
For photo wall art — especially gallery walls, nurseries, gifts, and modern home decor — Smallwoods offers excellent value with real wood frames, fast production, and consistently strong reviews (over 3 million customers, 487,000+ reviews on Framed Prints alone). If you need traditional framing with extensive style variety or need to frame physical objects, Framebridge is worth considering. For most custom photo wall art buyers, Smallwoods' combination of quality, speed, and price is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Smallwoods frames real wood?
- Yes — all Smallwoods frames are handcrafted with real wood grain finishes (Stained, Almond, Black, Natural, and White vinyl wrap). Manufactured in Longview, TX, USA.
- How long does Smallwoods take to ship?
- All Smallwoods custom products are handcrafted and ship within 1–3 business days.
- Does Smallwoods offer a satisfaction guarantee?
- Yes — 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back. Contact support@smallwoodhome.com for any issues.
- Can Framebridge frame physical items?
- Yes — Framebridge can frame physical prints, jerseys, documents, and original artwork. Smallwoods focuses on custom photo prints from digital uploads.
- Which is cheaper — Smallwoods or Framebridge?
- Smallwoods generally offers lower starting prices with frequent sale discounts and bundle savings (up to 70% off, over half off when buying 2+). Framebridge pricing varies by frame style and can be higher for premium options.