I am having my first local gallery showing!! Yea!! I can't wait. But I have some questions, and would like all your opinion.
I usually cut my own 4-ply mat since it's way cheaper, but I've looked at others with the 8-ply mat board and it looks great! Is there anyway my Logan 301 can cut that? I would still consider doing it myself because those are SO expensive! Or would you stay with the 4-ply but do a double mat?
Does anyone make their own frames? Should I just bite the bullet and custom make frames? Or should I just go get simple black frames from art stores??
What are your thoughts since some of you I know had showings before. Again, this is my first, and hopefully there will be more... Please help! Thank you in advance!
P.S. I am poor!
Chun Ming Huang
Posted by Ron Leraaen on February 8, 2007 at 11:57 PM
I don't believe your logan will cut 8 ply mats. The cutter has to have an adjustable blade depth to do them. It's usually best keep the framing simple for a gallery showing. A double mat with both mats the same color (white or off white) is a nice gallery look without going to the 8 ply. Cut your mats to fit standard size ready made frames that can be bought at hobby lobby or aaron brothers( Look for sales). You can find some decent looking frames there. I also suggest staying away from the metal sectional frames. The prices are cheap, but the look is too. Cut your mats at least 3 inches wide. Try to frame all you pieces simularly so your display will flow smoothly.
It generally doesn't make sense to break the bank for a gallery show. There is a good chance that potential buyers may not like the framing you spent a lot of $$ on.
I have an art and framing business and don't follow a lot of the suggestions I gave you, I'm currently showing a piece with a $600 frame (retail) and it looks very impressive. But I think you can still put on a nice show on a small budget.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on February 9, 2007 at 2:20 AM
I just picked up some nice looking, wood frames at Hobby Lobby at 50% off. The sale ended the 3rd but they'd had the same sale a week or so earlier. So chances are it will be on again soon. Of course it makes you wonder if it's really a sale!
Good luck and Congrats!
Posted by Nat Coalson on February 9, 2007 at 9:50 AM
I've been surprised at how good the premade frames at Aaron Brothers look. And very inexpensive. I agree that all the pieces need to be framed identically, which is somewhat unfortunate because it is nice to be able to design a frame around an individual image. But for a show where you're displaying multiple pieces, this looks bad.
If you buy premade frames, I wouldn't recommend using the glass that comes with them; it's awful. Use as good a glass as you can afford; your prints will present much better.
You might consider having a frame shop with a computerized mat cutter cut your 8 ply mats (and glass, if non-standard sizes); well worth the expense. Then you can assemble everything yourself.
Congratulations and good luck on the show!
Posted by Josh Anderson on February 9, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Hobby Lobby will sell frames at 50% off every other week.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 9, 2007 at 1:12 PM
I must warn you. The new frames that Hobby lobby is selling are crap. I bought 8 or 10 of them before christmas in 18x24 and 16X20. None, not one was sized correctly. The length measured inside the rabbet is supposed to be larger than the stated frame size. Several were undersized. I have not been able to take out the glass for cleaning on most of them. I've had problems fitting pre-cut non-glare in all but one of them.
If you are going to go this route, I have to say that Aaron Brothers will cause you much less grief. Their non-sale prices are a little lower than Hobby Lobbys non-sale prices. Their frames are better fitted and I believe better made than Hobby Lobby's.
I have been looking at building my own frames. I would like to do some pieces with floating mounts similar to a painting I bought recently, and I've never found a premade frame with a rabbet sufficiently deep (3/4"). In this frame, there is no mat around the image, it is under the image. The image is suspended on a piece of foam core, not touching the mat or the glass.
At a minimum to build a frame yourself, you'll need a miter saw and some right angle or frame clamps for tools. You'll need access to the frame moulding stock and have a way to get glass cut. If you are broke, I wouldn't suggest this route.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 9, 2007 at 1:25 PM
And by the way, Congrats and good luck on your show!
This is where I get most of my frames. Not sure where you're located but they have free metro area delivery if your order is $100 or more. Notice the discounts you'll get off the published prices if you order more frames. Excellent customer service and good turnaround.
www.colorframe.com
As for the mats, I've been using Lana at RCF for almost 15 years now. It's not worth the time and effort to order and cut your own with the prices she charges. Example: 8x10 print mounted, double matted to 11x14, and bagged for $6.00, 11x14 print mounted, double matted to 16x20, and bagged for $8.00. She works by appointment only. Her # is 303-985-2644. Take a look at the color suede mats. They are a little more expensive but REALLY make the images pop. I did an experiment years ago at the art shows and my gallery and can guarantee you that color mats which compliment the prints will easily outsell white.
As for the display, I'd recommend using what you think looks best within your budget. Reality is, you're not going to sell all of them. This never happens. So, you're going to have images left over to take home and hang on your walls. Again, do what you like and don't let the gallery dictate how you should present the images. Remember, you are the artist.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.
Posted by Brent Murphy on February 9, 2007 at 4:01 PM
As Tony said, you really can't go wrong with RCF. The quality is excellent, the prices are even better, and Lana is great to work with. Unlike Tony, they do all my framing, not just the matting and mounting.
Wao! Thank you all very much for your inputs! I think I am just going to use the 4-ply route/double matting, with simple frames from Aaron Brothers. I might think about upgrading the glass though, since I've seen comparison and your images do come out better..... $$$.
I also wish I am still living in Colorado too. I am in Los Angeles now, not my 1st choice, but it's for work.... :( I miss winter!
Anyway, I'll let you all know how things go. Thank you!
Discussion
9 repliesI am having my first local gallery showing!! Yea!! I can't wait. But I have some questions, and would like all your opinion.
I usually cut my own 4-ply mat since it's way cheaper, but I've looked at others with the 8-ply mat board and it looks great! Is there anyway my Logan 301 can cut that? I would still consider doing it myself because those are SO expensive! Or would you stay with the 4-ply but do a double mat?
Does anyone make their own frames? Should I just bite the bullet and custom make frames? Or should I just go get simple black frames from art stores??
What are your thoughts since some of you I know had showings before. Again, this is my first, and hopefully there will be more... Please help! Thank you in advance!
P.S. I am poor!
Chun Ming Huang
It generally doesn't make sense to break the bank for a gallery show. There is a good chance that potential buyers may not like the framing you spent a lot of $$ on.
I have an art and framing business and don't follow a lot of the suggestions I gave you, I'm currently showing a piece with a $600 frame (retail) and it looks very impressive. But I think you can still put on a nice show on a small budget.
Good luck and Congrats!
If you buy premade frames, I wouldn't recommend using the glass that comes with them; it's awful. Use as good a glass as you can afford; your prints will present much better.
You might consider having a frame shop with a computerized mat cutter cut your 8 ply mats (and glass, if non-standard sizes); well worth the expense. Then you can assemble everything yourself.
Congratulations and good luck on the show!
If you are going to go this route, I have to say that Aaron Brothers will cause you much less grief. Their non-sale prices are a little lower than Hobby Lobbys non-sale prices. Their frames are better fitted and I believe better made than Hobby Lobby's.
I have been looking at building my own frames. I would like to do some pieces with floating mounts similar to a painting I bought recently, and I've never found a premade frame with a rabbet sufficiently deep (3/4"). In this frame, there is no mat around the image, it is under the image. The image is suspended on a piece of foam core, not touching the mat or the glass.
At a minimum to build a frame yourself, you'll need a miter saw and some right angle or frame clamps for tools. You'll need access to the frame moulding stock and have a way to get glass cut. If you are broke, I wouldn't suggest this route.
www.colorframe.com
As for the mats, I've been using Lana at RCF for almost 15 years now. It's not worth the time and effort to order and cut your own with the prices she charges. Example: 8x10 print mounted, double matted to 11x14, and bagged for $6.00, 11x14 print mounted, double matted to 16x20, and bagged for $8.00. She works by appointment only. Her # is 303-985-2644. Take a look at the color suede mats. They are a little more expensive but REALLY make the images pop. I did an experiment years ago at the art shows and my gallery and can guarantee you that color mats which compliment the prints will easily outsell white.
As for the display, I'd recommend using what you think looks best within your budget. Reality is, you're not going to sell all of them. This never happens. So, you're going to have images left over to take home and hang on your walls. Again, do what you like and don't let the gallery dictate how you should present the images. Remember, you are the artist.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.
I also wish I am still living in Colorado too. I am in Los Angeles now, not my 1st choice, but it's for work.... :( I miss winter!
Anyway, I'll let you all know how things go. Thank you!