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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Framing prints, how much should I expect to pay?
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 04/20/2006 06:01:24 PM · #1
I sold a print today to my college's library and part of the condition of the sale is that it must be delivered framed ready to hang. I've never had anything framed before and have no idea what the going rate is. The mat size is 13 by 15 which is not a standard size I know but anything smaller or larger just doesn't look right. I could re-mat it at 16 by 20 if need be and possibly buy a standard kit to do it myself. I don't want to spend $100 for a framing job because then i'm making nothing off the print. So what would my best course of action be?
 04/20/2006 06:16:35 PM · #2
Take it to a local framing shop and let them tell you what will work. If they want the print framed and ready to hang, chances are they don't want it in a cheap frame. You just need to pass the framing cost along to the college.
04/20/2006 06:31:16 PM · #3
I just framed 3 of my prints that were 16x24. With frame, matte, and glass I paid 250.00 USD.
 04/20/2006 06:44:22 PM · #4
I had just an 11x14 print framed and double matted for around 75 USD
 04/20/2006 06:47:48 PM · #5
Originally posted by Care Bear:
I sold a print today to my college's library and part of the condition of the sale is that it must be delivered framed ready to hang. I've never had anything framed before and have no idea what the going rate is. The mat size is 13 by 15 which is not a standard size I know but anything smaller or larger just doesn't look right. I could re-mat it at 16 by 20 if need be and possibly buy a standard kit to do it myself. I don't want to spend $100 for a framing job because then i'm making nothing off the print. So what would my best course of action be?


Am I right in thinking you agreed a price? if so then you need to grin and bear any framing costs, if not then just add a decent matt/frame cost to your price.
 04/20/2006 06:49:28 PM · #6
CB,

I get most of my frames here. They have great selection of both wood and metal frames. You can opt for or not matting, backing, UV Plexiglas (no glass unfortunately but that is easy to get locally).

A unique feature is that you can upload a lower-res version of your image and play with frames and mats until you see what you like.

the are quite competitive at least compared to the frame shops where I live.

Good Luck and congrats on the sale.

Dick
04/20/2006 07:06:31 PM · #7
Yeah, the price is agreed upon since I listed a price before submitting it to the competition, and the notification I received today said my payment of xxx amount would be made as soon as the piece is delivered. Just sucks I didn't see that clause about framed ready to hang when i figured my pricing, and it looks like conservation framing runs 60-100 dollars easily. Quite a hit to take when your a college student struggling to make rent next month.
 04/20/2006 07:18:09 PM · #8
Check the American Frame site link in my above post. A wood frame using the "econoframe" selections to fit your matted artwork would run about $25 including shipping. Mounting board and Plexiglas would add a few bucks to it but not terribly significant. It doesn't sound like they specified any frame type or quality so I would go for the least expensive that, of course, shows off your work respectably.

Dick
04/20/2006 07:30:08 PM · #9
If you're in college, see if there are any art majors that can help you out. In my college days, art majors had to frame lots of projects, and most of the materials were usually available on campus to do the framing (perhaps save the frame itself). Chain store frame shops (JoAnn's specifically) may also have sections with "oops" frames and scrap mats for CHEAP. Same quality as a custom order, you just may end up with a funky size or a small imperfection in the frame.
 04/20/2006 07:35:11 PM · #10
If you plan on cutting or matting much go to a hobby store and buy a good quality matt cutter. Mine cost about $100 but has paid for itself many times over. You can then single or double matt it to the frame size that fits best. I would never go to a custom frame shop unless it was owned by a friend or the client was paying for the frame plus some markup for time and effort. You can get some nice frames at a lot of different hobby stores or craft stores for less than $20. In the last year I've sold over 200 cut and matted large prints and do all the matt cutting myself. Never had a complaint yet.
 04/20/2006 08:16:31 PM · #11
Well I'm a photo student so I have access to a nice matt cutter and cut my own window mats. I just don't have access to a frame cutting setup. Or maybe I do if I ask around between all the art students I know, and possibly my photo professors. I really just need a 13 by 15 black aluminum frame with the glass and backing as the print itself is already nicely window matted on acid free conservation board. I can cut another overmat to go between the glass and the window mat.
 04/20/2006 08:38:09 PM · #12
i know many art supply stores sel frames for cheap, you could try there. But i would definitely recomend asking around with art student, there should be a place on your campus that has the materials :)

-Dan
 04/21/2006 05:52:03 PM · #13
Originally posted by Care Bear:
Well I'm a photo student so I have access to a nice matt cutter and cut my own window mats. I just don't have access to a frame cutting setup. Or maybe I do if I ask around between all the art students I know, and possibly my photo professors. I really just need a 13 by 15 black aluminum frame with the glass and backing as the print itself is already nicely window matted on acid free conservation board. I can cut another overmat to go between the glass and the window mat.


AC Moore and Michaels have just what you need. You can buy metal framing pieces in black, silver, or gold and put them together yourself. All you need is a screwdriver. You can buy any length you need (in one inch increments) and they look decent.
 04/21/2006 06:02:00 PM · #14
Originally posted by dickwilhelm:
CB,

I get most of my frames here. They have great selection of both wood and metal frames. You can opt for or not matting, backing, UV Plexiglas (no glass unfortunately but that is easy to get locally).

A unique feature is that you can upload a lower-res version of your image and play with frames and mats until you see what you like.

the are quite competitive at least compared to the frame shops where I live.

Good Luck and congrats on the sale.

Dick


I will second that recommendation - I am hugely impressed with this company, their prices, and the quality of mat cutting. The only thing I do not get from them is the UV Plexiglass; I don't cotton to it. But glass is indeed easy to get locally as stated above.
 04/21/2006 09:46:26 PM · #15
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Originally posted by Care Bear:
Well I'm a photo student so I have access to a nice matt cutter and cut my own window mats. I just don't have access to a frame cutting setup. Or maybe I do if I ask around between all the art students I know, and possibly my photo professors. I really just need a 13 by 15 black aluminum frame with the glass and backing as the print itself is already nicely window matted on acid free conservation board. I can cut another overmat to go between the glass and the window mat.


AC Moore and Michaels have just what you need. You can buy metal framing pieces in black, silver, or gold and put them together yourself. All you need is a screwdriver. You can buy any length you need (in one inch increments) and they look decent.


I get frames at Michael's. They have everything from fully custom they-do-it-for-you to really cheap $7 frames and $3 mats.

I think the ones mentioned above are the frames that come as kits. You buy 2 kits (one for top & bottom and one for left and right) and screw them together, add glass, and stick it all together.

I've had shots professionally framed and it rarely has run under $100.
 04/22/2006 08:09:26 AM · #16
Honestly, I'd probably go for something I could do myself. Although, there's a place around here that will cut matts for you for not too awful much. I had a matt cut for a 12x18 print there. The cutting cost only $7, plus the cost of the matt.
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