Matting Framed Pic
Jan 26, 2019 21:51:17 #
stant52
Loc: Williamsport, Pa.
I have framed and hung many of my photographs thru out our home and my garage. My question is ,If using matting around a picture , How do you determine what color to use ? The colors in the picture , the color of the wall or area the picture will be hung??
I always have a tough time deciding , I need to try different colors first to see if I like it . Sometimes I take the picture to the store so I can hold it behind the different color mats but I still can't see the effect of the picture ,matted on my wall color.
Thank you for any advice .
I always have a tough time deciding , I need to try different colors first to see if I like it . Sometimes I take the picture to the store so I can hold it behind the different color mats but I still can't see the effect of the picture ,matted on my wall color.
Thank you for any advice .
Jan 26, 2019 21:52:33 #
I simply stay with white.
--Bob
--Bob
stant52 wrote:
I have framed and hung many of my photographs thru... (show quote)
Jan 26, 2019 23:29:03 #
rmalarz wrote:
I simply stay with white.
--Bob
--Bob
Yup. Never took a photo that wouldn’t look its best with a white or off-white matte.
Andy
Jan 27, 2019 05:30:47 #
stant52 wrote:
I have framed and hung many of my photographs thru... (show quote)
If longevity is important, use only archival white mat board and archival adhesives. This is not buffered products which achieve a neutral pH using buffering chemicals, which have a tendency to leach out over time and damage prints. Lineco makes a number of products including self-adhering and water activated adhesive (and 100% reversible) tapes to create the hinge for mounting the print and creating the hinged mat.
This is a great video about why non-archival materials shouldn't be used, and what the effect of using non-archival materials is on art, and how to mat photos correctly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8_WBNBH-Do
And another way to attach the print to the backing - using T-hinges made with tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ShqjjD1B4E
I prefer using tape hinges over corners.
Jan 27, 2019 07:18:41 #
Jan 27, 2019 07:51:26 #
If you want to know how a particular image will look best when framed, then first narrow down the matt choices to those colors you think you prefer. Next ask the framer to sell you some L-shaped cuts of each of those colors so you can cover one corner of the image and lay it against your wall with your own room lighting to illuminate it. Further, an L shaped piece of frame can also be used to further envision the framed print ahead of time, before you get it framed. Sometimes framers will loan out those L cuts at no fee if you are a repeat customer?
Jan 27, 2019 07:59:16 #
I bought a book,"The Complete Guide to Basic Mat Cutting" by Logan, the company that makes mat cutters.
They suggest matting color that matches the predominant color or background in the photo, or that goes with your decor or wall color, or white or cream. I do not have good interior design sense, so this book is very helpful. If I were matting for display elsewhere or for sale I'd use white, which seems to be pretty universal.
They suggest matting color that matches the predominant color or background in the photo, or that goes with your decor or wall color, or white or cream. I do not have good interior design sense, so this book is very helpful. If I were matting for display elsewhere or for sale I'd use white, which seems to be pretty universal.
Jan 27, 2019 08:06:00 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
There was a recent discussion of this topic. I don't recall that an aesthetic consensus was ever reached. I agree that only archival materials should be used. Others will eventually cause damage and sometimes can do so pretty quickly. As for color, unless there is an overpowering, immediate direction to a specific color mat, stick with white. Difficulty selecting between other colors is a strong indication that none of them are appropriate.
Jan 27, 2019 08:18:25 #
Jan 27, 2019 08:20:47 #
Tracy B. wrote:
I use a color that goes with the photograph.
Jan 27, 2019 08:22:27 #
mborn wrote:
I use off white, makes it easy
That's what I do mostly, white/off-white.
I might pick a color maybe for certain images, one that complements the image.
Jan 27, 2019 08:59:34 #
Link originally supplied by UHH user Uuglypher:
http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~ago820/matting.pdf
Quite fascinating!
http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~ago820/matting.pdf
Quite fascinating!
Jan 27, 2019 08:59:44 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
stant52 wrote:
I have framed and hung many of my photographs thru... (show quote)
When I frame for shows I have a professional framer and my wife decide on matting (I just sit back and watch the interaction). We always like to use at least a minimum of a double mat. My two experts use the colors in the photo to determine the colors used for the matting. Usually complementary colors but not always, but, it is actually a color in the photo that is used to determine the matting color. I use neutral black frames for all of my work. My next show is this coming fall in Youngstown, Ohio, I will invite everyone and publish the dates later this year.
Jan 27, 2019 09:15:08 #
stant52 wrote:
I have framed and hung many of my photographs thru... (show quote)
My favorite is white with a black core. The cut for the window then puts a very thin black line around the photo. Just my preference, but I think it looks better than the white core.
If you do a LOT of matting, RediMat in California has packages (Redi Packs) of 25 mats with window, backing, and clear envelope. I am always sticker shocked by the cost of shipping, but when I do the math, the cost per mat is still only slightly more than 1/2 of what I would pay locally! Local art supply dealers - pay attention!
Jan 27, 2019 09:56:35 #
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