Well, now I've done it I decided to jump in the JPG Through the Lens photo show next month. And I was accepted!
But now I'm faced with the reality that I haven't done this before and I'm a little lost on where to go from here. I've pretty much decided on what to bring, but I'm stuck on a few details that maybe y'all may know better. Like I like the frame but wasn't able to find a suitable standard mat, is there a good place in town that will cut custom mats for not an arm and a leg (one place said $28 - whoa).
And beyond that, I also plan to have some prints for sale that are just matted and in a plastic sleeve. Anyone have pointers to prepare these? They're usually mounted on foamboard, right? I'm thinking that this would be a do-it-at-home thing to keep the whole shebang pretty low cost. Any idea what a 16x20 frame (11x14) print might go for along side 12 other photogs?
Sorry for the super rookie Q's, but this is why I got the photo membership so now I've forced myself into a corner and need to figure this out soon.
BTW, the show is Nov 24-Dec 24.
TIA,
Kevin
Posted by Ed Cooley on October 26, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Kevin,
I might suggest you look at a couple of sites that I know use surveyed pricing which is the ansel adams gallery and mountain light. You can look at print prices for well known photographers then compare them to the prices for lesser known photographers to get an idea.
Kevin,
Usually at your local art store (sells all manner of art supplies), you can get a little book on how to mat prints that shows you how to do everything, what supplies you need, etc. Ideally, matting and mounting should all be undoable for the customer in case they want a different color mat. And plan a LOT of time to do this. The other alternative is to get ready-cut mats and foam board, which often sells as a package. Others more experienced than I am probably have good sources for online ordering and shipping. Might try clearbags.com.
Much good luck on your first outing.
P.S. Yep, it is: www.clearbags.com. They have precut mats and boards, clear bags and pkging and everything you need. Just checked out the site to make sure. Go! boy, and good luck.
Posted by Carol Leigh on October 26, 2007 at 2:42 PM
You can find a wealth of information at this website: http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/artshowphotography.htm as well as the Yahoo group that goes along with it (there's a link to the Yahoo group at the website). May you have all the success you can handle!
Carol Leigh
http://www.photoexplorations.com
Posted by Cezar Mart on October 26, 2007 at 6:49 PM
> You can find a wealth of information at this website:
> http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/artshowphotography.htm
This is a great link Carol! Lots of useful information and tips. Thanks for sharing it..
Cezar
Posted by Zack Schnepf on October 26, 2007 at 8:30 PM
Hey Kevin, I'll second Carols suggestion, I've found a wealth of knowledge on both those sites. Here is a link to a place that can precut mats and foam cor for you http://dixiematting.com/, I've never used them myself as I cut my own mats, but I hear good things about them.
I use T hinges to mount my photos to foam cor, and I made some alignment jigs to line up my prints on the foam cor so they are centered.
11x14 matted to 16x20 go for anywhere from $50-$125 and up depending on whether it is a limited edition or something. I personally sell mine for $69.
Posted by Adrian Klein on October 26, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Congrats Kevin. I will have to try and get up to check out the show.
I used to cut my own mattes and this is well worth the cost savings if you have the time. A good matte cutter will only run $200 to $300 which pays for itself after selling only a handful of images. I have the Logan Simplex Plus which sells for around $250 if I remember right. I get my images mounted from the lab as I don't do my own printing and don't want to chance that I would goof up the mounting. And framing I buy stock frames if I am looking for something simple, which I usually get at Aaron Bros. If the stock frame does not work I use several places in town for custom framing. And my pricing for 11x14 with double matte and 16x20 frame starts at $135. For me I have all 11x14's and larger are numbered and signed so only a limted number will be sold to help entice buyers and give them the feeling they are buying a piece of fine art with more value, which they really are.
And I agree with what Catherine says about mattes. I have had more than one client buy work and turn around to get it rematted only a short time later which is why I have started signing the prints and not the matte!
Discussion
7 repliesWell, now I've done it
But now I'm faced with the reality that I haven't done this before and I'm a little lost on where to go from here. I've pretty much decided on what to bring, but I'm stuck on a few details that maybe y'all may know better. Like I like the frame but wasn't able to find a suitable standard mat, is there a good place in town that will cut custom mats for not an arm and a leg (one place said $28 - whoa).
And beyond that, I also plan to have some prints for sale that are just matted and in a plastic sleeve. Anyone have pointers to prepare these? They're usually mounted on foamboard, right? I'm thinking that this would be a do-it-at-home thing to keep the whole shebang pretty low cost. Any idea what a 16x20 frame (11x14) print might go for along side 12 other photogs?
Sorry for the super rookie Q's, but this is why I got the photo membership so now I've forced myself into a corner and need to figure this out soon.
BTW, the show is Nov 24-Dec 24.
TIA,
Kevin
I might suggest you look at a couple of sites that I know use surveyed pricing which is the ansel adams gallery and mountain light. You can look at print prices for well known photographers then compare them to the prices for lesser known photographers to get an idea.
Usually at your local art store (sells all manner of art supplies), you can get a little book on how to mat prints that shows you how to do everything, what supplies you need, etc. Ideally, matting and mounting should all be undoable for the customer in case they want a different color mat. And plan a LOT of time to do this. The other alternative is to get ready-cut mats and foam board, which often sells as a package. Others more experienced than I am probably have good sources for online ordering and shipping. Might try clearbags.com.
Much good luck on your first outing.
P.S. Yep, it is: www.clearbags.com. They have precut mats and boards, clear bags and pkging and everything you need. Just checked out the site to make sure. Go! boy, and good luck.
Carol Leigh
http://www.photoexplorations.com
> http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/artshowphotography.htm
This is a great link Carol! Lots of useful information and tips. Thanks for sharing it..
Cezar
I use T hinges to mount my photos to foam cor, and I made some alignment jigs to line up my prints on the foam cor so they are centered.
11x14 matted to 16x20 go for anywhere from $50-$125 and up depending on whether it is a limited edition or something. I personally sell mine for $69.
I used to cut my own mattes and this is well worth the cost savings if you have the time. A good matte cutter will only run $200 to $300 which pays for itself after selling only a handful of images. I have the Logan Simplex Plus which sells for around $250 if I remember right. I get my images mounted from the lab as I don't do my own printing and don't want to chance that I would goof up the mounting. And framing I buy stock frames if I am looking for something simple, which I usually get at Aaron Bros. If the stock frame does not work I use several places in town for custom framing. And my pricing for 11x14 with double matte and 16x20 frame starts at $135. For me I have all 11x14's and larger are numbered and signed so only a limted number will be sold to help entice buyers and give them the feeling they are buying a piece of fine art with more value, which they really are.
And I agree with what Catherine says about mattes. I have had more than one client buy work and turn around to get it rematted only a short time later which is why I have started signing the prints and not the matte!
Kevin