The Leading No. 1 Framers Hertfordshire 
40 Years of Excellence
Whether you’re framing a cherished memory, a masterpiece, or your latest creative work, now’s the perfect time to give it the presentation it deserves.
📍 Visit us at:
ICAS Vilas Art Gallery
21 Commerce Way, Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DN
📞 01462 677455
Where Art Meets Craftsmanship.
For over four decades, ICAS Vilas Art has excelled in delivering creative picture-framing solutions. Established in 1984, we have emerged as a leading provider of bespoke framing solutions, serving artists, photographers, galleries, corporates, and individuals.
The ICAS 3 P’s of Bespoke Framing: Preserve, Protect, Present
At ICAS, we believe that framing is far more than simply choosing a frame to surround a picture. A well-designed frame should enhance the artwork, protect it for the future and ensure that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
That is why we have developed our approach around three essential principles: Preserve, Protect and Present.
Preserve
Every artwork, photograph, print or treasured keepsake has a story. Our priority is to help preserve that story.
Using appropriate conservation materials and professional framing techniques, we can help minimise the effects of ageing, light, humidity, dust and other environmental factors. For valuable or sentimental pieces, our framing specialists can recommend conservation-grade mounts, backing boards, and glazing designed to help maintain the artwork’s condition and integrity.
Preservation is particularly important when framing original artwork, limited editions, photographs, historic documents, family memorabilia and other irreplaceable items. The right materials and construction techniques can make a significant difference to how an item ages over time.
Protect
Protection is at the heart of every quality frame. The wrong framing materials can potentially damage artwork over time, while the right combination of mount, backing, glazing and frame construction provides a protective environment between the artwork and the outside world.
At ICAS, we consider factors such as the type and condition of the artwork, its location, exposure to natural light and how it will be displayed. Where appropriate, we can recommend specialist glazing and conservation materials to provide additional protection from harmful UV light, dust and other environmental influences.
Our aim is simple: to protect what matters to you without compromising its appearance.
Present
Finally, there is the way your artwork is presented. A frame should complement the artwork rather than compete with it. The right combination of frame, mount, colour, proportions and glazing can transform how a piece looks and feels within a room.
Our experienced framing team works with you to understand the artwork, your personal taste, and the space where it will be displayed. Whether your style is traditional, contemporary, minimalist or
something completely individual, we help you create a presentation that feels right. And because ICAS is also a fine art gallery, our understanding of art goes beyond the frame. We appreciate the relationship between artwork, framing and interior space—and can help you make choices that bring the whole picture together.
Three principles. One ICAS approach. Preserve what you value. Protect what you treasure. Present it beautifully.
For more than four decades, ICAS has combined craftsmanship, experience and personal service to create bespoke frames that do more than surround a picture. They help preserve memories, protect
artwork and present the things you love at their very best. ICAS — Picture your Frame.
We frame original works, ranging from contemporary to traditional paintings in oil, watercolour, pastel, and sketch drawings; mount and frame pictures; collectable, limited-edition prints; precious, sentimental photographs; and prize awards to certificates.
DO YOU FRAME MEMORABILIA AND SPORTS SHIRTS?
Yes, over the years, we have been fortunate to be asked to frame sports shirts from Formula One Grand Prix racing, football, cycling, rugby, tennis, cricket, and swimming. Each completed project poses unique challenges, but we strive to create a frame that tells a story, incorporating photos and historical references, and to select the best frame profile and mount style that both protect the memento and display it at its best. Click to view
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE ON A FRAMING & MOUNTING STYLE?
A well-designed frame with a suitable mount style can complement your art and enhance the overall experience. We will guide you through various methods for mounting your piece, each utilising different materials and achieving a distinct overall finish.
Choosing the right colour tone and mount style often depends on the effect you seek, the art you are framing, and personal taste. A well-thought-out combination of frame profile, mount, and mounting style will enhance a photo, original artwork, print, or memorabilia, giving the piece a unique and authentic visual identity.
Our average turnaround time is 7-10 days, and we can offer picture framing within 24-48 hours. ( Subject to stock availability for an optional extra).
ICAS framing of OBJET D’ART & PERSONAL MEMORABILIA
We regularly receive enquiries to frame 3D objects, such as sports shirts, medals, memorabilia, and signed collectors’ items. For all your prized collections, if you would like them perfectly preserved and expertly presented, our team of specialist framers is here to help and advise.
Why not contact us with your framing requirements? Our professional and friendly staff can offer advice and recommendations tailored to your needs.
FREE Pickup and delivery service
Get in touch today to discuss your framing requirements.
If you have trouble visiting us, we can arrange collection at your home.
Click the link below to CALL US today to talk to us or book an appointment for our framing services.
Stretching & mounting of tapestries, cross-stitch, canvas paintings, & papyrus framing;
CANVAS STRETCHING We can stretch canvases to any size needed. We use standard stretcher bars or custom-made oversized stretcher bars.
Do you handle large, oversized bespoke framing? Click for more
Yes, we can even handle any large artwork.
Call us & talk to the experts about your framing needs.
Do you offer picture cleaning & restoration services?
Mrs MacDonald from Fairfield Park, Stotfold, brought her precious grandfather’s memories of an original oil painting on canvas for help, advice & guidance. The picture showed signs of cigarette smoke, coal fire residue, and dirt that needed attention. Our restoration first removed all the foreign grit that had settled on the painting over the years. Once cleaned, we applied two coats of silk varnish to protect the picture. Finally, we added a new frame, a contemporary, brushed-gold 4cm frame profile, to give the original painting a fresh look. The finished result brought the painting to life and refreshed her childhood memories of it.
ICAS gallery framing service Q&A from our client.
How do you select the best service & profile for a framing order?
We identify the best profile to complete any framing order by carefully evaluating how each profile captures the painting’s colours. Here, with Mrs Macdonald’s portrait painting, the framing service we decided needs to highlight all the exciting details of the artist and his colour palette, from the artist’s decorative storytelling images in the background to the portrait figure in the foreground, wearing a silver suit with his elegant red tie. The profile for this framing order was a Larson Juhl Sustainable Conservation Series, reference number 228801759, which is our reference at the ICAS gallery. It features a contemporary, sparkling brushed gold with a deep red that picks up the tie’s colour.
What our Customers Say…
We look after clients covering the areas of Hertfordshire, Hitchin, Letchworth, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Knebworth, Royston, new developments around Fairfield Park, Stotfold, Bedford, Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, London areas, Kent, Surrey, and Hampshire, who regularly continue to use our services.
Our List of Commercial and Corporate clients includes the following:
ADEPT SCIENTIFIC PLC; ASHE Construction; COOK (UK) & EUROPE, RANK XEROX; OAKLEY(UK) LTD; AUTOGLYM; SHOWCARD GROUP; WILLMOTT DIXON; WHEATLEY HOMES LTD;
NORTON WAY (HONDA); AIMNS; CONAMAR BUILDING SERVICES; HSBC BANK; ZEUS GREEK RESTAURANT; BENCHMARKS; MOUNTAINHEATH; NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL;
HEWDEN STUART PLC; GARDEN HOUSE HOSPICE; HOWARD COTTAGE; JCA ENGINEERING LTD; BROADWAY CINEMA; THE RICHARD KLEINWORT CONSULTANCY GROUP- LONDON;
SIBISA – LONDON; DUCKWORTH & KENT LTD.