Mat advice

I need to gear up to do more shows this year, and I know I've been missing two things: #1, larger prints, and #2, a wider/newer selection of prints. The second point has me second-guessing myself.

When I started, I made the decision to mat my 8x12 prints in 14x18 mats, and assembled metal frames to match. Now, though, I'm wondering if that was a good move. 14x18 frames are near-impossible to find, and the mats have to be custom-cut (whether via third party or home-based mat cutter...). I like the extra border, but wonder if I'm creating a headache for potential customers and possibly raising my costs pointlessly in the process.

And while I'm at it, I'm also questioning the white mat / black metal frame decision. Sure, it's better for some art shows, but again - is diversification the way to go?

Opinions? (Don't be shy, I know you have some. )

If I pick just one mat color I tend to go with a black mat that draws your eye to the print. White mats tend to draw your eye to the mat. I do sometimes when appropriate use a white mat but with the black base so when it is cut the edge is black. I also try to use the 8x10 format and crop. I know that doesn’t always work but most of the time it does. The 8x10 is much less expensive than the 8x12. I also try to go with the precut mats whenever possible again a more cost effective way to go. I hope this helps.

I'm hardly one to offer advice on this, but if you haven't already read it, Tony L's article on art shows is a pretty good one and discusses a couple of these things. http://colorado.naturephotographers.net/events/2005-02-artshow/index.shtml

Roger's post sums up what I was going to say...I'll elaborate on a few points from the Art Show night.

- White mats are distracting at art shows, and if you have others with colored mats, you look cheap(er), even if you're the same price. Same with black metal frames.

- Colored mats that compliment the print will always sell better than white ones.

- Standard matted sizes will sell better than custom ones. 16x20 matted is a popular size.

Just my opinions and experience...

FWIW,
-D

I'm not sure I can go to "standard" sizes (8x10, 11x14) for most of my prints; some, yes, but others, no. Guess that's what I get for being a 35mm-only photographer.

I ran across Glen Randall on one of my photo outings this fall and had a very nice brief discussion with him. I'd not heard his name previously, but he has a neat Colorado coffee table book. He also seems to sell an incredible volume of prints. One of his outlets is the Boulder Art Mart, and finally a few weeks ago I got up to see his prints. I have to say that he has one of the more pleasing print presentations in terms of framing and mats that I've run across, without getting eleborate or expensive. He uses a triple mat and often the outer and inner mats are off-white with a colored middle mat to off-set the print colors. If you are in the area you might want to see his nice presentations. Even though I don't actively sell prints, I seem to run across some casual sales so am always looking for matting and framing options, and these gave me some good ideas.

If you can't crop an 8x12 down to 8x10, I'd recommend framing it at 12x16. It's not as ideal as 11x14, but still more standard than 14x18. Also, if you can't do 16x20, 18x24 is the next best size.

I've been doing 18x24, but didn't like the smaller mat of 12x16; I'm thinking of breaking down on that, though - that was the main thrust of my question.

Anyone have ideas on a mat size for 16x24 prints, then? Light Impressions offers precut mats at 22x30, which is the size I previously decided on, but that's not a standard frame size.

Les,
I have been considering the same dilemma, and one option I have been considering is printing 7x10 and 10x15's, and framing to 11x14 and 16x20 respectively. The 7x10 fits perfectly in the 11x14, and the 10x15 is just a little more mat on the short side in tehe 16x20, but i think it still is a pleasing look. and 7x10 and 10x15 are fairly popular sizes. just another suggestion.
Chris

Is inkjet (UltraChrome K3 or Hi-gloss) an issue for sales? The Workshop Q&A mentions something about inkjets but isn't clear. I'm at least as happy with my R800 prints as my lab prints - especially in the color gamut department - and my next investment might go in part for an R1800 so I can print 12x18.