I have some very nice photos I want to have printed and mounted in nice frames. The frames and matting etc will be somewhere around 40" wide and 28" high. Any suggestions on where to get quality printing and framing done? Thanks, Zoso
Michaels, (the craft store), did a nice job matting and framing one of my photos. The frame size is 30 inches by 40 inches. It cost almost $300.00 though. They regularly run special sales in their framing dept. where you can get 40-60% off. The photo was developed in a local photo lab for $30.00.
seeker wrote:
Michaels did a nice job matting and framing one of my photos. The frame size is 30 inches by 40 inches. It cost almost $300.00 though. The photo was developed in a local photo lab for $30.00.
That seems to be a typical ratio - I've often paid 10x as much for the frame as for the print.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
seeker wrote:
Michaels, (the craft store), did a nice job matting and framing one of my photos. The frame size is 30 inches by 40 inches. It cost almost $300.00 though. They regularly run special sales in their framing dept. where you can get 40-60% off. The photo was developed in a local photo lab for $30.00.
I've used Michaels also and was pleased with the results. I've learned to wait until they have their sales because matting and framing is so expensive. If you can print your photos to fit standard sized mats you can use those and ready made frames and save considerable money - I've also gone that route.
Vince
Loc: Manakin-Sabot,VA
Hobby Lobby,if near-by does good work.
zoso wrote:
I have some very nice photos I want to have printed and mounted in nice frames. The frames and matting etc will be somewhere around 40" wide and 28" high. Any suggestions on where to get quality printing and framing done? Thanks, Zoso
if you are going to do this a lot, learn how to do it yourself, not that difficult.
any suggestions on how or where to get the info to do it on my own? U tube or are there on line courses??
zoso wrote:
any suggestions on how or where to get the info to do it on my own? U tube or are there on line courses??
An art school in Philadelphia recently offered a course on framing. You might check adult education courses at an art school if there is one near by. Perhaps library has books? Real trick in matting and framing is to make accurate angles - this is a job I'd rather pay someone to do. I do know that you will need a mat cutter and a miter box (I think that is the name for the device to use to cut frame corners).
Cdouthitt wrote:
I'd suggest canvas wraps (with a frame). The non glare glass that size is expensive and heavy.
I agree with Cdouthitt glass is expensive and heavy...IMO unnecessary. Some myth about using glass to protect from UV which is almost non existent in your living room. Are you running an arc lamp in your living room.. bet not.
"UV emission (UVA, UVB, and UVC) and illuminance (100 nm–780 nm) were measured from different brands, size, and electrical powers of CFLs. UVC emissions were not observed at the distance of 10 cm in all of lamps. "
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijp/2015/504674/Agree that canvas wrap is great, but I print and use the "gift wrap" cutting out a 90* V to make neat corners. The support is Masonite using 3M GP spray glue. Mounting is controlled using wadded up and then flattened wax paper. Corners are indexed and then wax paper removed while the print is stroked onto the glue sprayed Masonite. the V cut is done once mounted... back side. once the wrap is done 3/4" blocks are used to make the photo stand away from the wall giving it a 3D effect.
Good step wise directions here... except I waded up the wax paper to reduce the surface area in contact with the adhesive. This makes controlled removal much easier.
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/40352674
Yes, I would think any serious photographer would go the route of doing your own framing. Solution 1: buy a quantity of pre-cut mats. I get mine from Clearbags at about $3 a mat give or take...It fits my 11x17paper sized prints with a 10.5x15.75 mat opening, into a 16x20 frame...using a "ready made" frame size (16x20, 18x24, etc. is way cheaper than having a framer order a 17.5x 21.75 'custom' frame, which they love to do). Framers hate the ready made sizes, as they can at least double their profit with the custom frame. Of course if money is no object custom is visually better usually but not necessary really. Solution #2, buy your own mat cutter, can be over the $100 range (a Logan brand) for something half decent. Eventually I got a $600 professional C&H brand, and never regretted it. I can custom cut any mat or double mat beveled opening perfectly and fit the outside for the closest ready made mat size. I have never used custom frames in my life. Solution #3 did not work for me. I did try to cut my own frames by buying moulding and a miter box, but found I was way out of my league there, you have to be a good woodworker and ready to spend many many hours doing woodwork instead of photography. I found a local framemaker that will sell a quantity of a particular size wood frame at wholesale prices, buying single frames from a commercial framer place can put you in the poorhouse or make your finished piece so expensive it won't sell easily. The local place (Furst Bros in Baltimore, MD) will sell me a single frame, they are the ones who supply the framers. Graphic Dimensions is one of many online companies that will deliver frames to you. I also like buying a quantity of metal frames online, you merely use corner inserts with screws to make a sturdy but economical frame with mat and glass and backing to protect your work and hang it in a gallery. to
alliebess wrote:
An art school in Philadelphia recently offered a course on framing. You might check adult education courses at an art school if there is one near by. Perhaps library has books? Real trick in matting and framing is to make accurate angles - this is a job I'd rather pay someone to do. I do know that you will need a mat cutter and a miter box (I think that is the name for the device to use to cut frame corners).
zoso wrote:
I have some very nice photos I want to have printed and mounted in nice frames. The frames and matting etc will be somewhere around 40" wide and 28" high. Any suggestions on where to get quality printing and framing done? Thanks, Zoso
You already have the prints, but if you didn't, metal prints are beautiful, and they're very tough. I got an email from Jared Polin yesterday giving a 25% discount on metal prints from Adorama. Discount code: PXJPMTL25
I print my own pictures, but if I didn't have a printer, I would find a printing company who does a great job.....many listed on google, and this forum (you can enter a search at the top of the page).
As far as mats, I have ordered mats from various companies, and they do vary in quality, mainly you pay for the quality you get.....the thicker the mat, the higher price. I have found a local frame shop that does a great job with matting my images.
As for frames, I would suggest what others here have said, the most reasonable priced frames are those already made. I would not send a picture to a frame company, if it is a size I am unable to purchase one already made, I have a local framing company make one to fit the image matted.
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