I've starting looking into frames for some of my 13x19in prints, and it's turning out to be harder than I expected. My local frame dealer wanted $150 for a simple frame and mat! Their explanation was that it was an unusual size and hence required a custom frame.
So, how do you folks with 13x19in printers get your prints framed? I'll bet there are lots of online dealers...but do any of them ship to Canada? I guess I could also get a cheap 16x20 frame and just purchase a custom mat, but I think that may look awkward. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I went to a few and found one that wasn't worried about making an obscene profit. He would give me a very generous discount if I used what he had in stock. If he had to order the supplies, he would need to charge me more. I take all my framing needs to him now and recommend him to anyone needing framing.
Look around, you'll eventually find someone not trying to pick your pocket.
Just a thought. I usually print 12x16 on 13x19 stock. This allows using a 16x20 frame with a matt of two inches on each side. This crowds it a little (my opinion), but displays well when hung.
Others print at 12x18 and use a larger "stock" frame.
$150 doesn't sound like a bad deal, as long as it is an 8-ply mat, and the frame is out of a nice hardwood. I had twenty frames made up a few years ago for my print shows, and each of the frames were ebony stained walnut, mitre joints, wooden staves on the back to keep everything in, yet can be removed to rotate images in and out, and the mat openings are 12x18". There are 4 plastic 'holders' to set the paper in place, and the outside dimensions are 20x27. Basically 4" borders around the top and sides and a 5" border on the bottom. All for about $150 each.
I have some 18 x 24 inch frames I got from Bed, Bath & Beyond They are aluminum (available in both black and silver) with plastic "glass". They allow a 2 1/2 margin (actually a smidgen more since you'll cut an opening in the mat that is less than 13 x 19) around the print.
The same frames are available on line from artist supply houses like Cheap Joe's.
A watercolor artist gave me a used mat cutter so I can cut my own mats, but buying a custom cut mat shouldn't be all that expensive.
Ikea has some decent frames in a couple of colors, the most expensive one is the next size up and is only $25
the one that would work the best for 13x19 without getting your own matte are these, which hold a ~11 3/4 x 15 1/2 (don't quote me on that). The big one next to these hold around a 16x20
It sounds like you are printing on the entire sheet of paper. That takes a lot of ink! I use 13x19" paper but have yet to print a borderless picture on it. I usually print 11x14" and it gives a nice preview of how it will look matted. These prints are usually housed in Itoya binders until I want to mat and frame. That way you have a little bit of a margin to handle the print with when mounting and framing things out. My 8x10" shots are actually printed on 11x14" paper, and on the rare occasions where I print a 5x7, that's on 8.5x11" paper.
As others have suggested, a size somewhat smaller than the actual paper size is generally a good idea, regardless of what paper size you are printing on. As a general rule of thumb, I think you're supposed to use a paper size larger than your final print size to accommodate the above. Just my 2 ¢
I don't know how your import taxes, etc will effect this but I highly recomend looking at http://www.framedestination.com/. They have 13 X 19 frames, as well as larger frames with 13 X 19 precut mats. I would rather use 12 X 18 print size, and mat out to a larger frame, but for an inexpensive option you can get a 13 X 19 frame and not use any matt.
American Frame is pretty decent. If you use them, make sure when using their system that you enter in your actual image size and not the size of the paper it's printed on. It will then automatically give you the correct frame size based on what kind of matte you choose. (This tripped me up the first time I used them.)
Thank you all for your replies. Some excellent suggestions, and I now have some thinking to do and some links to look at.
Corey - Thank you for the photos and the Ikea suggestion. I'll look into that.
Jason - You're right, I have been printing borderless. But your suggestion of printing smaller would make getting a frame easier. I just love the look of those big prints!
for now, I get all my frames from Aaron Bros. they're owned by Michaels craft stores. the frames are cheap and look good. always a good selection, even with the "weird" (11x17) sizes.
I agree Frame Destination is a very good choice both for stock and custom sizes. In November I ordered 8 frame kits made of cherry including frame , 4ply alphamat, foamboard and uv acrylic. Total bill $342.00 including shipping. I just ordered two custom frames yesterday. Good quality, good service.
Brian, try these guys out [url=]http://www.matshop.ca/[/url]
I've used them and find their service and prices are hard to beat. They are located in Victoria, so you won't have to worry about boarder issues. The only catch with them is that minimum order is 5 of a given item. They will custom cut frame, glass, matte and backing to any size without a cost.
To save even more, keep an eye out on their clearance items. They usually sell mattes and frames in bundles of the same size and colour for quite a discount. I purchased 25 18"x24" conservation mats with a 12"x18" opening for about $40. Definitely worth a look.
American frame for decent prices, excellent quality, fast turnaround, and any dimension you need. They will also print any dimension fo rthose of us who don't crop to standard sizes......
$150 for a frame done up at a frame shop is about the going rate for the size mentioned. Heck- I've seen them go for lots more. Someone buys a watercolor for $750, so $150 is nothing for a decent framing job done to conservation standards, 4-ply acid free matt board, acid free foam core backing, and plain glass. (UV glass is double, and the anti-reflect about quadruple the price of clear.) That is why many portrait studios also have a frame shop inside. It is a good profit center.
But as a photographer, no one can afford to drop them off at a frame shop. I bought a used 60" Logan matt cutter for $75, a glass cutting attachment from Dick Blik, and I get boxes of acid free Crescent matts, Hartman acid free foam core, and clear Tru-Vue glass all in 32 x 40 size, and order the frames to size. I get it all from a local artist supply house at a wholesale cost. For a 13 x19 sheet, framing cost for the custom size (not including my labor) runs about $35.
I print 12X18 bordeless on 13X19 sheets on my R1800. I used to print at 13X19 (bordeless), but discovered that leaving a little extra space around the edges of the paper did two things when I framed. It made it easier to set the mat and photo together and it gave the photo a little more room from the frame.
The proper frame size for a 12X18 or 13X19 photo is an 18X24 frame.
For 12X18, the mat should be 3" around all sides and for 13X19 it should be 2.5" though bringing the mat in by 1/8" helps setting it up at this size. When your photos get this large, mats thinner than 2.5" start to look odd.
I frame 13" wide paper prints at 18x18, 18x20 and 18x24 depending on the crop.
I've used FramFit frames for many years. http://www.framefit.com/
I have a C&H matcutter, and my standard framing is double mat with black core and off white mats in the black dome frame.
chez wrote:
Brian, try these guys out [url=]http://www.matshop.ca/[/url]
Harry - Thank you for the link! They have some excellent prices, and a lot of selection too (although it's a shame you have to buy in bulk). And you're right, it would be nice to avoid the border hassle.
Mel - Thanks for the mat size recommendations. I think I'll go for 12x18 with 3" all around.
BrianJR wrote:
I've starting looking into frames for some of my 13x19in prints, and it's turning out to be harder than I expected. My local frame dealer wanted $150 for a simple frame and mat! Their explanation was that it was an unusual size and hence required a custom frame.
So, how do you folks with 13x19in printers get your prints framed? I'll bet there are lots of online dealers...but do any of them ship to Canada? I guess I could also get a cheap 16x20 frame and just purchase a custom mat, but I think that may look awkward. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :) ...Show more →
Here are some details from a recent order:
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Frame
Profile : 1100
Stock # : A-1135
Description : Frosted Black 35
Quantity : 4
18 (w) x 24 (h)
Frame Price : 9.24
Backing : None
Plexi : Plexi Glass Front
Plexi Price : 8.40
Price per unit : 17.64
Quantity : 4
Price of Item : 70.56
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is about 18 USD/ per frame with glass. It is a simple metal frame.
I also use precut mats from Light Impressions. They have nice archival double-mat packets that fit the 18x24 in frame. Another option is to buy the frame withought glass. Building supply stores like Home Depot stock precut 18x24 inch plexiglass panels for about 3 USD each.
They are aluminum (available in both black and silver) with plastic "glass". They allow a 2 1/2 margin (actually a smidgen more since you'll cut an opening in the mat that is less than 13 x 19) around the print.