Our business is based upon a team of exceptional craftsmen and master carvers who are capable and ready to fulfill the needs of our most demanding clients around the world. Our products are so unique that most of the manufacturing process must be done by hand, requiring the expertise and skill of our outstanding artisan team. For additional information see the detailed molding manufacturing process below:

The manufacturing process consist of 5 distinct steps:

1st Carving (3 to 10 days)

Premium quality Cedar tropical wood is cut to the required length, with careful attention paid to ensure the wood has the precise moisture content to assure stability. After creating a blueprint for each carve, the artisan begins the lengthy process of deep etching each feature. The blueprint process is a crucial step because it is at this point that the proportions for the carving are defined, based upon the frame dimensions and design considerations.

*Our moldings have a unique characteristic; they have “Centers” and “Corners”, which means that each particular piece must be designed for the specific project’s dimensions. Without this design factor, they would lack the style, beauty and character that make them a San Marcos Frame.

NOTE: Carving time depends on the design of the frame. All frames are 100% hand made by expert artisans. Few carvers in the world are capable of accomplishing the distinctive shapes and curves found in each San Marcos Frame.

2nd. Joining (1 to 3 days)

Wood glue, nails and screws are used to assemble the frame, but in a way that is invisible. Once assembled, an artisan must carefully match, carve and polish the joints giving the frame its seamless finish.

3rd Painting (5 to 6 days)

Painting is one of the most important processes. It provides the base on which gilding can be placed. The final surface finish of the frame is dependent upon this base to achieve the beauty demanded at San Marcos Frame. It consists of 6 steps:

Sanding.
Sealing.
Base application and sanding (to round corners and achieve a good surface before painting).
Sealer application.
Paint application.
Detailing.

Note: At this point SMF is working to develop water gilded finishes, but we will continue to offer our actual finishes also.

4th Gilding 2 to 5 days

Once the correct surface preparation has been achieved, the artisan proceeds to apply the leaf, a manual process taking several days. The process is called “oil gilding” because we use an oil based slow set clear base to hold the leaf to the frame. This type of clear is utilized to maximize the brilliance of the gold leaf.

5th Detailing 5 to 10 days

Detailing is a process taking several days in which a patina is applied, distressing is made and the leaf is sealed. At this point the moldings start to look several years old.

Then, depending on the molding style or customer requirements, we make apply final details that make our frame designs unique. Many exclusive techniques are used at San Marcos Frames such as engraving and oil painting, making each of our frames truly a work of art.

The end result of this lengthy production process is a frame of outstanding beauty that can enhance any work of art to create a sophisticated look that is truly distinctive.

Total production time is between 18 to 38 days per frame.
Climatic conditions may cause the time for the various steps to change.