Good frames for frequent swapping?

gmikol · Oct 22, 2009

Hi all--

Last year, I started hanging 4 prints in my front hallway, which I rotate every couple of months. I'm using some pretty cheap wooden frames I got from Michaels, but I'm looking for something nicer, and I'm looking to expand the number of prints I have up, now that I've ordered better lighting. It's purely a vanity thing...this isn't my business, it's just to show off and impress my friends when they come visit, so lower-cost might be nice.

I'm looking for a good-quality, good-looking frame that's easy to swap images in and out of. I don't like the clip-style "frameless" frames. I *do* like the Nielsen metal frames, and the flexibility in terms of frame sizes, but I don't like the idea of having to dis-assemble and re-assemble every time I want to hang new prints. But I generally like the slim, contemporary look of black metal frames.

If I could find metal frames that had retention clips like a wood frame, that would be perfect.

Any suggestions out there? Maybe I'm not searching all that well, but the Nielsen frames (or clones thereof) seem to be the only thing I find.

Thanks--

Greg

ann · Oct 22, 2009

you only have to remove one rail to switch out photos with a metal frame, which is faster than remove the tacks , etc from a wooden frame.

Nige · Oct 22, 2009

gmikol said:
Hi all--

I *do* like the Nielsen metal frames, and the flexibility in terms of frame sizes, but I don't like the idea of having to dis-assemble and re-assemble every time I want to hang new prints. But I generally like the slim, contemporary look of black metal frames.

I use this sort of frame and they are very easy to open. 2 screws is all that need loosening to open them.

EDIT : yeah, what Ann said

DWThomas · Oct 22, 2009

What the previous two posters said. But another possibility -- a year or two back I got some frames at Target that were simple gallery style frames made with a panel in the back. The panel rested in a groove at one end and had some little toggles to turn and anchor the other three edges. The panel appeared to be painted Masonite, or similar. The frame section was deep enough the frame could be flush against the wall. The major downside was that their "16x20" appeared to be more like 15 15/16 x 19 15/16 inches (where most frames include an extra 1/16 or so beyond the nominal dimension), which caused me some grief. At any rate, work in such a frame could be swapped out very quickly (if it fits!)

MikeSeb · Oct 22, 2009

Stephen Schaub at figitalrevolution.com has blogged recently about some of the alternative presentation methods he uses to display work in his gallery.

Some good ideas there, if you're not wedded to the idea of traditional frames and mats.

JBrunner · Oct 22, 2009

Last time I suggested swapping, I got slapped.

MikeSeb · Oct 22, 2009

JBrunner said:
Last time I suggested swapping, I got slapped.

Perhaps you didn't frame the question correctly?

JBrunner · Oct 22, 2009

My problem is that my work is now "odd sized" (15"x22" or 22"x30") and doesn't look right in US standard sized frames. It looks like I'm going to need to have custom frames made, but IDK. Since these are "standard" sizes for watercolor I keep thinking there would be some off the shelf solution. If there is, I haven't found it. If I frame them, I'll float mount them, which would make it easy to change them out. Popping the backing board out of metal or wood frames is pretty easy, as long as you don't tab or click them in with harware like you mean to keep it in there forever. I'm thinking a pretty stiff backing board so not so many clips/tabs are needed, maybe four or six...

Thomas Bertilsson · Oct 22, 2009

What about the eight or ten spring clips that hold the backing board against the glass? Those are a PITA to remove.

Here at work, where we display some of the brand names that the company I work for owns, we have some frames that are permanently fixed to the wall. They are 20x24 and the whole front of them swing open. Take the whole 'assembly' with backing board, print mount, and overmat, slip it in and close it back up again.

Don't know where to get them, but some research would help.

The disadvantage is - once they're up, they're up. You can't rotate them or anything. You'd be advantaged by printing square images, I guess.

Nige said:
I use this sort of frame and they are very easy to open. 2 screws is all that need loosening to open them.

EDIT : yeah, what Ann said

ann · Oct 22, 2009

well, the use of 8 to 10 spring clips is a bit much unless it is a very large piece.

a simple twist with a screw drive removes the clip. We tend to use one clip on each rail up to 16x20 more for bigger.

jeffreyg · Oct 22, 2009

Nielsen frames very easy to assemble and swap with. Available in any size and a variety of styles from Light Impressions - very reliable, I have purchased from them for over 25 years.

Vaughn · Oct 22, 2009

I do like the flexibility of the Nielsen style metal frames. For my silver gelatin prints I generally use the standard sizes, 12x16, 16x20, 20x24, and the not so standard 24x28. I can mix and match all those sizes as well as some odd-balls, like a frame for two 10x10 prints in the same frame (16x28). I have some odd ball lengths around also. I like the silver frame or the silver gelatin.

I don't use those springs -- with the #11 profile, I find a combination of glass, mat board and foam core (for the back) that creates a nice tight fit in the frame. Sometimes I ha e to compress the foam core a little along the edges to fit into the frame.

But now my images are usually 8x10 alt prints framed 16 x 20 (and 4x10 images in 12x16 frames), and I like a simple black painted wood frame. I don't need to do the mix and match thing, and it is nice to know I have a few 16x20 frames around. The nails (brads) on the back are not much of a problem. A pair of needle-nose pliers takes care of the removal and a brad-pusher makes pushing them in easy. Cleaning the glass and getting all the dust out is a bigger chore.

Vaughn

MattKing · Oct 22, 2009

I have a couple of frames that would be good for this - they are 14" x 14", have an 8x10 mat that can be used either vertically or horizontally, and have the toggles at the back.

I also have a couple of 20" x 20" frames that are similar, and should work for 11x14 prints as well (but haven't been put to use yet).

The square frames give a consistent appearance on the wall, which I really like if I'm displaying more than one photograph in a location.

Matt

RalphLambrecht · Oct 22, 2009

gmikol said:
Hi all--

Last year, I started hanging 4 prints in my front hallway, which I rotate every couple of months. I'm using some pretty cheap wooden frames I got from Michaels, but I'm looking for something nicer, and I'm looking to expand the number of prints I have up, now that I've ordered better lighting. It's purely a vanity thing...this isn't my business, it's just to show off and impress my friends when they come visit, so lower-cost might be nice.

I'm looking for a good-quality, good-looking frame that's easy to swap images in and out of. I don't like the clip-style "frameless" frames. I *do* like the Nielsen metal frames, and the flexibility in terms of frame sizes, but I don't like the idea of having to dis-assemble and re-assemble every time I want to hang new prints. But I generally like the slim, contemporary look of black metal frames.

If I could find metal frames that had retention clips like a wood frame, that would be perfect.

Any suggestions out there? Maybe I'm not searching all that well, but the Nielsen frames (or clones thereof) seem to be the only thing I find.

Thanks--

Greg

The best frames for frequent swapping are these:

http://halbe-rahmen.de/index.php?id=59&L=1

http://halbe-rahmen.de/en/main/produkte/das-prinzip.html

I use Nielsen for sales and Halbe for exhibitions.

gmikol · Oct 22, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
The best frames for frequent swapping are these:

http://halbe-rahmen.de/index.php?id=59&L=1

http://halbe-rahmen.de/en/main/produkte/das-prinzip.html

I use Nielsen for sales and Halbe for exhibitions.

Wow, Ralph...thanks for the tip on thse. They look great. A little pricier than Nielsen, it looks like, but a really awesome product. Doesn't look like they have a US distributor...Do you know what shipping from Germany is like for half-a-dozen frames?

--Greg

redrockcoulee · Oct 22, 2009

Years back we bought Opus frames from Vancouver for this very thing. Years ago, I should say decades ago. At that time you could order them any size as my wife ordered 20X22 frames. I think they are slightly easier to change frequently than sectional frames. They are also heavier due to the need for a thicker backing. After a while one forgets to rotate the images though.

gmikol · Oct 23, 2009

Welll, redrock, I found their website, and I don't see anything about custom sizes, and their webstore isn't set up for cross-border shipping anyway.

I have to admit, after looking at & listening to the stuff that MikeSeb linked to on Figital Revolution, I'm seriously considering going non-traditional. I always wanted a more casual way of presenting the stuff, I just hadn't figured out how. FR gave me some ideas that I'm tossing around.

I haven't made any final decisions yet, so I'm glad to hear any other ideas. I'll be sure to post up some pics once it's set up. (Before Christmas is my goal...)

--Greg

ann · Oct 23, 2009

those do look like great frames, however, i haven't been able to find someplace in the USA to purchase

RalphLambrecht · Oct 23, 2009

gmikol said:
Wow, Ralph...thanks for the tip on thse. They look great. A little pricier than Nielsen, it looks like, but a really awesome product. Doesn't look like they have a US distributor...Do you know what shipping from Germany is like for half-a-dozen frames?

--Greg

Greg

Send an email to Mr. Eichhorn (eichhorn@halbe.de) and tell him I've sent you. He is the managing director (now that the founder retired). I think they have an US distributor, at least they were working on one two years ago. I don't think shipping from Germany is an economical option.

I have about 30 of their frames, which allows me to quickly put an exhibition together. After the show, I take the mounted prints out of the frames (takes less than 5 seconds) and put them back into their storage boxes. They sell a lot of frames to museums and galleries. It's really a great product, and no, I have no affiliation with them, just a satisfied customer.

gmikol · Oct 23, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
Greg

Send an email to Mr. Eichhorn (eichhorn@halbe.de) and tell him I've sent you. He is the managing director...

...I have no affiliation with them...

Please don't take offense, but I find the juxtaposition of these 2 comments quite amusing. While I understand that you mean you have no financial interest in the company, you obviously have some affiliation...

Thanks again for the tip.

--Greg

fdi · Oct 26, 2009

My company sells Nielsen frames, and our wood frames are sold with flexible points. You just bend the points back to take the backing out. Another option is our profile 2 frame which is fairly low profile so you have the option of leaving out the spring clips so all you need to do is loosen two screws and detach one side.

Cheers,
Mark

Medusa83 · Oct 26, 2009

I always use these https://store.opusframing.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=browsecategory&category=1599 they are back loading with clips take about 1 min to change photos.

gmikol · Oct 26, 2009

Medusa83 said:
I always use these https://store.opusframing.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=browsecategory&category=1599 they are back loading with clips take about 1 min to change photos.

Thanks, Medusa...redrockcoulee mentioned them in post #16, but they don't ship to the US, so it's not helpful to me. For our northern friends it loos like a nice frame at a nice price.

--Greg

gmikol · Oct 26, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
The best frames for frequent swapping are these:

http://halbe-rahmen.de/index.php?id=59&L=1

http://halbe-rahmen.de/en/main/produkte/das-prinzip.html

I use Nielsen for sales and Halbe for exhibitions.

Just to put a period on this...I contacted the company, and their US distributor is:

http://www.pro-frames.com/
Gallery Sonja Roesch, Inc.
2309 Caroline Street
Houston, TX 77004
(866) 686-7480

--Greg

RalphLambrecht · Oct 26, 2009

gmikol said:
Just to put a period on this...I contacted the company, and their US distributor is:

http://www.pro-frames.com/
Gallery Sonja Roesch, Inc.
2309 Caroline Street
Houston, TX 77004
(866) 686-7480

--Greg

Thanks for the follow-up. Good to know.

Good frames for frequent swapping?

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