framing 10-12 prints as a uniform exhibit

I am going to display a set of prints at a local park. I don't expect to sell anything there, but I will display the same prints at an annual art fair in February.

I don't have much framed work at all, and what I have is a real hodgepodge of frame and matte sizes. I plan to create a set of 8x12 prints (still stuck on the full 35mm frame format) and frame them all in the same way. Being a frugal sort, I want to do this as cheaply as possible.

I looked up some of the web sites referenced in earlier threads here, but I get overwhelmed by the options pretty quickly. I did find a "Nielsen Bainbridge Studio Metal Frame" set that I think will meet my needs, but there are no local dealers. I can get the whole thing - frame, glass, matte & backing board for around $20 from Dick Blick. Is anyone familiar with this product? Or, would you suggest something else?

Pete D. drowning in the paradox of choice

Pete, I'd throw you a lifeline, but I don't know that I have one.

I've been using Blick's contemporary hardwood gallery frames for the last few years, and I have to order 20 percent over to account for damaged frames. Even though their prices are lower than any I've found, and the native quality of the frames appears to be excellent, I have to cast off that percentage because of damage.

Whether it's damage associated with manufacture, handling or storage I don't know and don't care. I've basically quit ordering from Blick except for the simple stuff like hanging supplies. Even my mat orders from them have been incorrectly filled about 30 percent of the time. I have a TON of materials sitting around that I don't need and don't use that they sent instead of the right stuff.

They've always made it good as quickly as possible after I've brought it to their attention, but be advised that if you wait until the last minute to order, you may be in a world of hurt due to damaged materials or incorrect shipments.

If I was as cavalier about quality with my clients as they are with theirs, I'd be out of business for sure!

Believe it or not, when shipping is taken into account, as well as the fact that I have to buy glass for Blick frames because they ship with Plexiglass, I am even up buying excellent frames from my local small-town photo store. Even WalMart/Target beats Blick now when it comes to price/quality, and if I can get to a Michaels arts store (there's one 100 miles from my house), all the rest are put in the shade.

Now, while the workmanship is solid and good, we're not talking top-end gallery frames here, just to be clear.

Thanks Steve - Based on your comments, I'll see what I can buy locally. I was already hesitant to buy a pig in a poke. Oh wait, is that politically incorrect?

Pete D.

Pete I am now getting my frames pretty much from Hobby Lobby if you have one around you. My closest ones are about 100 miles away and when I am ready I go get my frames but call ahead and make sure the ones I want are on sale. In small frames they have one that is in black that really not bad at all and when on sale the frames are about $3.50 or less depending on size. Frame border is about 5/8" wide with glass and you can also buy matting I believe there also but I cut my own so don't look at this. The ones I get are by Green Tree Gallery and I am looking at a 8x10 one that I could get out easily and has a price of $3.99 which on sale is 50% off so get these for $2.00. I buy alot of 11x14 and I think on sale they might be like $3.50 or $3.00. One other thing they have a black backing board which I don't use and use points which make it easy to bend out and place work in and bend back. When I am using these frames I even put backing paper on them to give them a cleaner look and for a framed print probably only have $7.00 in it tops probably less. If you have one around kind of close range worth checking out.

I shop Michaels, too, when I can. You get to see exactly what you are buying and avoid damaged goods. Whenever I am near there, I go in and see what is on sale...they have good sales compared to retail. I then stock up on frames whether I need more or not. Eventually I use them all. You are only buying a set frames that need to last awhile, so I would get pretty decent quality. Take care of them and they will last as though they were hung. Place frames against frames in the back seat of your car is going to ruin any frame. I have heard some people say they didn't care if they were scratched because they were only for exhibit and weren't being sold. My opinion of the person (and by default, their work) dropped appreciatively.

As far as using metal or wood or other methods, it is hard to give advice without knowing the images you have and where they will be presented (backdrop, etc). Some may look rotten or cheap in metal or another medium. These images are a reflection of who you are and how you present yourself. Don't cheapen your look or your viewers will think the same of your images. Just the way I look at it. Go out there with Class!!

Now depending upon the exhibit, metal may be the perfect choice! Didn't want anyone mad thinking I was totally "dissing" metal!

Troup

I'm a warm or a cool wood guy. I very much like warmer cherry toned hardwood for many images, with black-painted hardwood for others and pale unstained but finished maple for the near-white look.

Pete; try http://www.pictureframes.com/. I did 30 matted and framed pieces for a show at our local museum and was able to keep the costs quite low. They have a large variety of frames and they pre-cut frames and matting to custom dimensions. Its easy to upload an image to their site and test the frames and matting for appearance. The costs are itemized and totaled as you select the components (including backing board and mounting hardware). I found their online colors to be a reasonably accurate representation of the real thing so I was able to make decisions on frame type and matting colors without being disappointed. The matting choices are somewhat limited but I was still able to find a decent selection for each of the 30 photos. When you go to their site, pick the "Personal Frame Shop" tab.

Good luck with your show!

Peter, have you tried your local framer? I did a show last year with 34 16x20 matted and framed images. Because it was initially such a large order, he framed (with excellent quality black wood frames), matted and backboard, and finished the back with paper and wire for $30 each, plus tax. When you add your price for the image and printing, it is still under $50 each and you can sell for considerably more. Everyone was very pleased with the professional look and presentation. Saved me a lot of time and work too. By the way... animals, macros sold best and black mats sold better than white mats.

I'm also fairly new to this and starting to frame more prints, looking to sell eventually. Thanks for the tips.

I've found Michaels offers some nice basic frames for great prices. I like the simple metal "home collection" frames in black or silver. I think an 8x10 retails for about $10, but they're often on sale for 40% off.

For matting I've been looking into documounts <http://www.documounts.com> They've got a variety of styles up to museum quality archival that can be cut to size and offer some nice quantity discounts, though I have yet to actually place an order with them.

Local sources couldn't come close to the Dick Blick package price. I got a decent frame with glass & precut mat for some 8x10s and some 8x12s for under $20 each. For my purpose, these are great because it is easy to change the photograph, if you want, and the packaging can be re-used, so I can pack them up without additional padding, etc. I may have a different opinion after I've used them a while, but for now I'm completely satisfied. They packed these to the max: bubble wrap and brown paper everywhere, but, hey they arrived unbroken - and I spent over $200 so shipping was included. I am showing a few prints at a local park next month and will participate in a church art show again this winter.

Pete D.

One thing you are forgetting by "Framing for yourself" is you don't know how to. Framing your product is not just four sticks for a frame and a piece of glass for the front. If you are selling art and I am supposing you feel you are, you have to take care of that art. Just as you would not take your pictures with a throw-away camera, why are you putting your art in throw-away frames. Pictures not mounted correctly will be damaged. Pictures with mats the wrong size throw off all that you did to frame and compose your picture. An 8x10 goes into a 12x14 frame, not the 11x14 frames that michaels and walmart sell. I know some framers see us photographers as a PIA, but you find the right on and they will be your best friend. There are lots of framers that are also Photographers like myself and I was a Photographer that added framing, that will give you a great buy. Frame, glass, mat, backing board, conservation mount, dust cover, hangers and wire for $39.95 for a 12x14, $59.95 for a 16x20.And that is with a choice of over 120 frames. The good thing about using someone that knows what they are doing is you will be taught the right way and can buy the bones from the framer and "Do it yourself" if you want to save an additional few dollars. The right framer wants to make a sale wether they do the work or not and would love to sell you the right pieces rather than see you ruin your art buy going to Walmart and using scotch tape to mount your photos. Your didn.t spend all that money on your photo equipment to just ruin you art three years down the road with substandard framing.

Tom