Matting and Framing questions

dslater · Dec 11, 2007

Hi all,
I have a print that I want to frame as a gift for someone and I had a couple of questions. First, I plan to make the image size something like 10x12 to 11x14. What is a typical mat size for these 2 sizes?
Second, about the frame, I was going to try using a sectional frame - the kind where you buy 2 sectional frame packs to have a 4 sided frame. For this kind of frame, do the dimensions for the sections match the dimension of my mat board, or do they need to be bigger. For example, if my print is mounted on a 16x20 mat board, would I buy a 16" pack and a 20" pack to build a frame for it?

Thanks,

Dan

parker_db · Dec 11, 2007

Matting & Framing questions

I'll share with you how I do this. For an 11 x 14 print I will use a 16 x 20 matt board. I have used the type of frames you're referring to in the past and I buy the size indicated by the size of the matt board. So for the 16 x 20 matt I would buy a pack of 16" frame pieces and a pack of 20" frame pieces.

I hope this helps some. As to the size of the matt for a particular size of photo, it is really up to what you feel looks nice.

dslater · Dec 11, 2007

parker_db said:
I'll share with you how I do this. For an 11 x 14 print I will use a 16 x 20 matt board. I have used the type of frames you're referring to in the past and I buy the size indicated by the size of the matt board. So for the 16 x 20 matt I would buy a pack of 16" frame pieces and a pack of 20" frame pieces.

I hope this helps some. As to the size of the matt for a particular size of photo, it is really up to what you feel looks nice.

Parker,
Thanks for the info - it's very helpful. The print is going to be a Christmas/House warming gift for my father. I currently have a copy on my wall that is 8x10 matted in an 11x14 frame. I'd like to give him a larger print, but I am concerned about the frame being too big for his walls - the last time I saw his new place the contractors had just put up the sheet-rock and the place was empty. So I am trying to balance what would look nice against wall space. One reason I was considering 10x12 instead of 11x14 is I wonder if I could use a bit smalle frame for that size - say something like 14 x 18.

Dan

fdi · Dec 11, 2007

If you want to buy a mat off the shelf, you are restricted to 11x14 artwork size and 16x20 frame size. The actual opening will typically be 10.5 x 13.5 so the mat overlaps 1/4 on all 4 sides of the image. In the custom framing industry, and most of our standard mats we cut the opening to 10.75 x 13.75 so that it only overlaps 1/8 inch of each side of the image. 11x14 is just one standard size forced into another which results in unequal borders. If you are cutting your own you go with other sizes such as 10x14 or if your image is 3/2 and you dont want to crop you can do 8x12. Both of those sizes have standard borders. You will also run into mounting issues and our website has tips on this here:
Picture frame mounting info

We also have into about glass and acrylic and mat board types here:
Picture framing information on glass, acrylic, and mat board

ann · Dec 11, 2007

you can also find a variety of pre-cut windows at various art supply houses. i.e. sam flax's , binders, etc.

we use 16x20 windows for both 8x10 and 6x9 prints, with the frames being 16x20, with the window being salon weighed. (bottom heavy) or some call this musem standard.

we also custom cut windows and any framing house could do the same for you so you can just decide what size print you want to make. the size of the window is a personal decision, i am very fond of lots of open space and would go with a 20x24 window.

fdi · Dec 11, 2007

ann said:
you can also find a variety of pre-cut windows at various art supply houses. i.e. sam flax's , binders, etc.

My company has over 80 mat sizes that we sell at wholesale prices, mostly to photographers, in addition to full custom.

Cheers,
Mark

MattKing · Dec 11, 2007

fdi said:
My company has over 80 mat sizes that we sell at wholesale prices, mostly to photographers, in addition to full custom.

Cheers,
Mark

Mark:

If you need any suggestions...

I really like a 14" x 14" frame, with centered 8"x10" image. It allows you to have a wall of frames that are identical on the wall, even though the images are a mixture of portrait and landscape orientation.

Matt

dslater · Dec 11, 2007

fdi said:
If you want to buy a mat off the shelf, you are restricted to 11x14 artwork size and 16x20 frame size. The actual opening will typically be 10.5 x 13.5 so the mat overlaps 1/4 on all 4 sides of the image. In the custom framing industry, and most of our standard mats we cut the opening to 10.75 x 13.75 so that it only overlaps 1/8 inch of each side of the image. 11x14 is just one standard size forced into another which results in unequal borders. If you are cutting your own you go with other sizes such as 10x14 or if your image is 3/2 and you dont want to crop you can do 8x12. Both of those sizes have standard borders. You will also run into mounting issues and our website has tips on this here:
Picture frame mounting info

We also have into about glass and acrylic and mat board types here:
Picture framing information on glass, acrylic, and mat board

Hi,
Thanks for the info - no I'm not necessarily looking for an off the shelf mat - I plan to have the print mounted and framed by a custom framer.

Dan

fdi · Dec 12, 2007

dslater said:
Hi,
Thanks for the info - no I'm not necessarily looking for an off the shelf mat - I plan to have the print mounted and framed by a custom framer.

Dan

Hi Dan,

In that case I would not worry about mat and frame sizes, they can easily do anything. Just create the image at the size you want with the aspect ratio that works best for your image and then let them help you figure out the rest. Their expertise is what you are paying for, not the material. I dont recommend Michaels or other big box stores. I suggest you find a PFPA member that is certerfied (CPF). You can go here and select Find a framer:
http://www.pmai.org/index.cfm/ci_id/24438/la_id/1.htm

PPFA membership and certification are not guarantees, but they significantly increase your odds of getting someone that is knowledgeable and professional.

PPFA is a sub group of PMA.

Cheers,
Mark

jovo · Dec 12, 2007

Here's a terrific site that lets you experiment with any dimension mat and print size you'd care to try as long as you choose to optically center your print, use equal sides and top dimension, or center your print. It's very interesting to see how even a slightly larger or smaller mat will affect the way your print is presented.

http://www.russellcottrell.com/photo/centering.htm

dslater · Dec 12, 2007

fdi said:
Hi Dan,

In that case I would not worry about mat and frame sizes, they can easily do anything. Just create the image at the size you want with the aspect ratio that works best for your image and then let them help you figure out the rest. Their expertise is what you are paying for, not the material. I dont recommend Michaels or other big box stores. I suggest you find a PFPA member that is certerfied (CPF). You can go here and select Find a framer:
http://www.pmai.org/index.cfm/ci_id/24438/la_id/1.htm

PPFA membership and certification are not guarantees, but they significantly increase your odds of getting someone that is knowledgeable and professional.

PPFA is a sub group of PMA.

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the advice. Fortunately there's a PFPA framer nearby. I was planning to go there anyway. I have used Michaels before and was happy with the result - just found them to be quite slow. Just curious why don't you recommend Michaels? Is it a lack of expertise, or are their materials sub-standard?

Thanks,

Dan

dslater · Dec 12, 2007

jovo said:
Here's a terrific site that lets you experiment with any dimension mat and print size you'd care to try as long as you choose to optically center your print, use equal sides and top dimension, or center your print. It's very interesting to see how even a slightly larger or smaller mat will affect the way your print is presented.

http://www.russellcottrell.com/photo/centering.htm

Cool site - thanks for the link.

fdi · Dec 12, 2007

dslater said:
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the advice. Fortunately there's a PFPA framer nearby. I was planning to go there anyway. I have used Michaels before and was happy with the result - just found them to be quite slow. Just curious why don't you recommend Michaels? Is it a lack of expertise, or are their materials sub-standard?

Thanks,

Dan

Michaels will be hit and miss. The person behind the counter will be random, and usually not a CPF meaning they are not likely to be trained in artwork identification, archival methods, and frame design. Most of the frame creation will be done in a production center by hourly workers doing several hundred frames a day. If you go to a privately owned custom frame shop, they will only be doing a few frames a day. The person doing the work, and or directly overseeing the work will have their lively hood at stake as opposed to just a raise at the end of the year assuming they are not a college student that will be gone in a few months anyway.

Cheers,
Mark

dslater · Dec 17, 2007

fdi said:
Michaels will be hit and miss. The person behind the counter will be random, and usually not a CPF meaning they are not likely to be trained in artwork identification, archival methods, and frame design. Most of the frame creation will be done in a production center by hourly workers doing several hundred frames a day. If you go to a privately owned custom frame shop, they will only be doing a few frames a day. The person doing the work, and or directly overseeing the work will have their lively hood at stake as opposed to just a raise at the end of the year assuming they are not a college student that will be gone in a few months anyway.

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the help. I ended up going to FastFrame which I found through the "Find a Framer" link you posted. The guy there spent at least 45 minutes helping me pick out the mat and frame for my print. I am quit sure that the result will be much better than I would have ended up with at Michaels - a bit more expensive as well, but I expected that.

Dan

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