Almost everyone owns at least one framed picture, usually a treasured family photo or a portrait of a beloved someone. Everyone has a special photo or keepsake they've always intended to have framed. In our current day and age there is an amazing array of options for those intending to frame their favorite pictures from the most thrifty, to the most traditional, to the ultramodern and also everything in- between.

For those of us who are on a tight budget or are just spending conscious, why not create your own custom picture frames. Custom picture frames make great gifts for friends and family and is a fun project that's sure to please even those difficult to shop for gift recipients. Making a custom frame to match a special picture may be the best gift for any occasion. The best thing about it is it's a quick and simple project to complete with the right tools and set up. There are some great free guides out there especially on the internet on how to make these frames.

Custom picture frames with glass are ideal as the glass will offer some protection to the picture from the elements. Nonetheless the glass in the frames can easily be replaced by plexi glass or clear plastic covers especially if the person making the frames is a novice or is still a child. A wide variety of materials can be used to create these home made picture holders from paper machier, twigs, strawboard, aluminum sheet and even garbage such as old cereal boxes. The look and feel of these customized picture frames can vary according to the skill and preference of the maker. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself many supermarkets have bargain bin picture frames which you could customize by spraying, painting or gluing on some decorations.

On the other end of the spectrum is the professional designed customized picture frame with glass . To add to the snob value to your picture frame you should ensure that the frame maker is a member of the Professional Picture Framing Association, the largest international trade association for the framing industry or simply known as the PPFA. The PPFA requires members to maintain the highest industry standards an only the selected few would be rewarded with the distinguished designation of CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER™ (CPF™) .With the professionals you can have your frame cut and assembled to your exact specifications to the smallest detail and in any desired materials from lacquered wood to even precious metal like gold or silver. Of course all this comes at a high price and is only suggested for those with deep pockets. For those less affluent there are plenty of mid tier picture frame makers who create equally good customized picture frames at a far lower price albeit with less boasting value than those created by a CPF.

For those interested in cutting edge technology a recent addition to the art of picture framing is customized digital picture frames. These modern day marvels store digitized pictures electronically and display them slideshow style for viewers. The user can even add comments, banners or sounds to go with each picture. The user would have to first digitize and then transfer all the pictures he or she wants to be displayed into the frame’s memory and then set the slide show timer using the controls in the frames. The advantage over the traditional photo frames is that a single frame is capable of displaying more than one picture and new pictures can be added at any time (subject to memory available), also the user can delete any picture that he or she no longer wants displayed and the original hardcopy of the treasured picture can be kept safely out of harms way. Newer versions of the digital picture frames are even capable of displaying video. Some novel applications for this technology are such as on a tombstone display to show a persons’ eulogy or for showing the employee of the month in offices.

So there you have it, the many different types of customized picture frames available today. With so many varying choices users are spoilt for choice. The main thing is to choose a frame that suits your needs both aesthetically and budget wise to protect that precious picture of yours.