Direct answer: Hobby Lobby offers ready-made and custom framing options for canvas, but the right choice depends on exact canvas dimensions, depth, price, and current store availability.
I'll admit it-I'm the kind of person who walks into Hobby Lobby for one thing and leaves with seventeen things I didn't know I needed. But last month, I actually had a mission: find a decent frame for canvas to put around a custom pet portrait I'd just gotten printed.
Simple enough, right?
Wrong. I spent way too long wandering their frame aisle, got a quote from their custom framing department that made my eyes water, and eventually walked out with nothing but a receipt for some random decor I didn't need.
Here's what I learned about frames for canvas at Hobby Lobby-and why I probably won't be going back for framing again.
The Two Paths: Ready-Made or Custom
Hobby Lobby gives you basically two options when you're looking for a canvas frame.
Path one: ready-made frames off the shelf.These are the ones stacked in the aisles, available in standard sizes like 5×7, 8×10, and 11×17 in store. You grab one, you take it home, you figure out how to make your canvas fit. Simple. Cheap. But also limited.
Path two: custom framing. This is where you bring your piece to the framing counter, an associate measures it, and you pick out frame styles, mat colors, and glass types. They have a design system that lets you visualize different combinations before you commit. Sounds great. Until you see the price tag.
For canvas artwork specifically, Hobby Lobby offers both traditional framing with glass and gallery wrap stretching services. The gallery wrap option stretches the canvas around wooden bars, creating that frameless look where the image wraps around the edges. It's contemporary and popular for modern art.
Before comparing frame depth and fit, the canvas material guide explains how the surface differs from an ordinary paper-backed print.
But here's the thing-neither option was quite what I was looking for.
The Cost Reality Check
Let's talk money, because this is where things got real.
Custom framing at Hobby Lobby isn't cheap. Prices aren't listed on a simple menu-they're calculated based on the size of your artwork, the frame you pick, the matting, and the glass.
Hobby Lobby does not publish a universal custom-framing price menu. The final quote depends on artwork size, frame, matting, glazing, and store-level service choices, so request a current quote for the exact piece before comparing options.
As of August 19, 2026, Hobby Lobby’s official custom-framing page states that custom frames are always 50% off the marked price. The offer applies to the frame only; confirm current terms with the in-store framing specialist before deciding.
The Floating Frame Option
One thing Hobby Lobby does have that caught my eye: floating frames.
These are open frames with no glass panel, designed specifically for displaying canvas and mixed media projects. You mount a canvas in the center and it creates the illusion that your artwork is floating within the frame.
Before comparing any frame, use the Custom Pet Portrait Size Guide to verify artwork dimensions and display distance.
I found ready-made floating-frame options, but current prices vary by size and model. Check the exact listing or store price for the canvas dimensions you need.
But here's the catch-these frames don't come with glass or backing. They're designed for canvases that are already stretched and finished. If your canvas isn't the exact right thickness or size, you're out of luck.
And for a custom pet portrait? I wanted something that looked polished, not like I just threw it in a basic frame from the shelf.
The Real Problem: Standard Sizes Don't Always Fit
This was my biggest headache.
Hobby Lobby carries popular sizes like 5×7, 8×10, and 11×17 in store. But my canvas wasn't a standard size. It was a custom print, and it didn't fit neatly into any of their off-the-shelf options.
I could have gone the custom framing route, but the quote I got was more than I paid for the canvas itself. And honestly? That felt backwards. Why spend more on the frame than the art?
One review I read summed it up: "Hobby Lobby actually is a great place for 'Cheap Frames' meaning lower quality, doable but affordable photo/art frames". Another reviewer noted that for framing specifically, "Hobby Lobby framing is cheaper, but the results and service often lag".
Before buying a frame, it also helps to review what to know before framing a pet portrait, especially when depth and display style matter.
That's when I started looking for alternatives.
What I Ended Up Doing Instead
After striking out at Hobby Lobby, I went online and found a better solution.
Instead of relying on a separate framing quote, compare the available portrait formats and current pricing shown in the Palette Tales collection before ordering. Confirm the exact dimensions and display format you want rather than assuming a frame is included.
The canvas comes ready to hang. You pick the frame style that matches your decor, and it shows up already assembled.
If you're curious about the different portrait styles Palette Tales offers,check them out here.
Here's why this worked better for me:
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No size mismatch.The frame is made specifically for the canvas.
- Compare the current total. Review the selected portrait format, size, and checkout total before ordering.
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No trips to the store.Everything shows up at my door.
If the frame search reveals a broader size or format question, use the canvas selection and customization guide next.
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Better quality.The canvas itself is premium cotton, prepared for display.
Is it the cheapest option? That depends on the exact frame, size, and service combination. Compare the current total quote rather than relying on an old generic price range.
Hobby Lobby vs. Online Framing: Which One Makes Sense?
Here's my honest take after going through both:
Hobby Lobby is fine if:
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Your canvas is a standard size that fits their off-the-shelf frames
- You confirm the current custom-frame offer and its frame-only terms with the store.
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You don't mind driving to the store and waiting for them to finish the job
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You're framing something inexpensive and don't want to spend much
Online framing (like Palette Tales) is better if:
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Your canvas is a custom size
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You don't want to deal with measuring and guesswork
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You want the frame to arrive already assembled
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You value convenience over saving a few bucks
If the goal is a custom pet portrait rather than a general framing project, compare the current Custom Pet Portrait Collection.
One reviewer put it bluntly: "If you're price-driven, Hobby Lobby might win, but for framing, Michaels or a dedicated framer tends to be safer". That's harsh, but there's truth to it-custom framing results can vary by location and the specific associate you work with.
What I'd Do Differently
If I had to do it all over again, I'd skip the Hobby Lobby framing department entirely.
Don't get me wrong-they have great decor, amazing sales on seasonal stuff, and their floating frames are a solid deal for certain projects. But for a custom pet portrait that I actually care about? I want it done right the first time.
If you're looking for frames for canvas, here's my advice:
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Measure your canvas first.Know exactly what size you're working with.
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Check if it fits standard frames.If it does, Hobby Lobby's ready-made options might work.
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If it's custom-sized, skip the headache.Go with a service that includes framing in the package.
- Factor in the total cost. Compare the current framing quote, selected materials, and any service charges for the exact piece.
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Consider going frameless.Gallery-wrapped canvases look great on their own, especially in modern spaces.
If you're thinking about getting a custom pet canvas,browse the full portrait collectionand see if anything catches your eye.
FAQ - Frames for Canvas at Hobby Lobby
1. Does Hobby Lobby sell frames for canvas?
Yes. They sell ready-made frames in standard sizes and offer custom framing services for canvas artwork.
2. How much does custom framing cost at Hobby Lobby? Hobby Lobby does not publish a universal custom-framing price menu. The quote depends on the exact artwork, frame, matting, glazing, and store-level service choices.
3. Does Hobby Lobby have sales on custom framing? As of August 19, 2026, the official custom-framing page states that custom frames are always 50% off the marked price. The offer applies to the frame only, so confirm current terms with the store.
4. What sizes do Hobby Lobby frames come in?
Popular sizes include 5×7, 8×10, and 11×17 in store. Custom framing can accommodate any size.
5. What’s a floating frame? It is an open frame with no glass that creates the appearance of a canvas floating inside the frame. Ready-made prices vary by size and model, so check the exact current listing.
6. Can Hobby Lobby stretch a canvas for me?
Yes. They offer gallery wrap stretching services where they stretch the canvas around wooden bars for a frameless look.
7. Is Hobby Lobby cheaper than other framing options? Ready-made and custom options should be compared using current quotes for the exact size, materials, and service level. An old generic price range is not reliable for a current decision.
8. Where can I explore current Palette Tales portrait formats? Review the current Custom Pet Portrait Collection for available sizes, formats, and current pricing.
I walked into Hobby Lobby thinking I'd find a cheap frame. I walked out two hours later with no frame and a better understanding of how framing actually works.
If you've got a standard-sized canvas and you just need something basic, Hobby Lobby's ready-made section is fine. But if you've got a custom pet portrait-or anything you actually care about-skip the headache and go with a service that includes framing from the start.
Visitwww.palettetales.comto see their custom pet canvas and framing options.
