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.
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.
Here's the rough breakdown I found:
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Small projects (like an 8×10 photo with a basic frame and single mat): $40 to $80
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Medium pieces (16×20 prints with standard framing): $100 to $250
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Large projects or premium materials (conservation glass, ornate frames, multiple mats): $300 to $500+
For a standard-sized custom framing job, you're looking at $100 to $200 starting, and it goes up from there for larger or more elaborate designs.
Hobby Lobby does run regular sales—sometimes 40% to 50% off custom framing. Smart shoppers time their projects around these promotions. One reviewer on Yelp mentioned Hobby Lobby is a great place for "Cheap Frames" meaning lower quality, doable but affordable photo frames. Another review mentioned getting a 50% off frame for $25 and loving it. But the custom framing reviews are more mixed—some people had great experiences, others got damaged pieces or inconsistent service.
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.
I found a **black floating frame in 12×12 for $11.99**. A gold one in 5×7 was $7.49. That's actually reasonable.
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".
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 buying a frame separately and hoping it fit, I ordered my canvas with framing included from Palette Tales. They offer frame options starting at $29 when you order your canvas—no separate trip to the framer, no measuring, no guesswork.
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.
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No hidden costs. The price is upfront. No surprise add-ons.
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No trips to the store. Everything shows up at my door.
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Better quality. The canvas itself is 13-oz cotton, hand-stretched over kiln-dried pine frames. No warping, no sagging.
Is it the cheapest option? No. But for the quality and convenience, it's a better deal than spending $200 on custom framing at Hobby Lobby.
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
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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
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.
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Factor in the total cost. Don't forget that custom framing adds $100–$200+ to your project.
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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 collection and 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?
Small projects start around $40–$80. Medium pieces range from $100–$250. Large projects with premium materials can exceed $300–$500.
3. Does Hobby Lobby have sales on custom framing?
Yes. They regularly run 40% to 50% off custom framing promotions. It's worth checking their weekly ad before committing.
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's an open frame with no glass that creates the illusion your canvas is floating inside the frame. Hobby Lobby sells these starting around $7–$12.
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?
Their ready-made frames are affordable. Custom framing is competitive but can still be $100–$200+ for a standard piece. Online framing services sometimes offer better value for custom sizes.
8. Where can I get a custom canvas with framing included?
Palette Tales offers frame options starting at $29 when you order a custom pet canvas. Browse the full portrait collection here.
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.
Visit www.palettetales.com to see their custom pet canvas and framing options.
