Hi, I'm planning to send some prints to friends in the UK, and I'm considering sending them matted (but unframed because of the shipping cost and risk of glass breakage). My first instinct is to mat them in 11x14 or 16x20 (outside dimensions) mats to fit standard sized frames. But then I realized that standard size here in the US isn't necessarily standard size in the UK. Or is it? So, should I mat for standard "imperial" sizes, "A" sizes, or metric sizes, for maximum convenience for the recipients to go out and find a frame?
What size mat for prints sent to UK?
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- Thread starter Gabe Racz
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Most shop bought frames are in metric sizes but you can sometimes find 8x10 & even 11x14 frames but that is less common. A4 (297x210mm) & A3 (297x410mm) are often available but 30x40cm will be sold anywhere. 30x40cm is 1/4 inch shorter each side than 12"x16" so it's easy to cut down a 12x16 mount to fit.
Mail order, both metric and imperial sizes are available.
Cheers, Bob.
Mail order, both metric and imperial sizes are available.
Cheers, Bob.
FYI, these are std sizes bigger than those Bob has given: (all cm) 40x50, 50x70, 60x80 and 70x100.
As for posting, 40x50 is straightforward in a cardboard packet. I do this fairly regularly. Keeping it intact above this is hard to guarantee, so best sent rolled in a tube in my experience.
As for posting, 40x50 is straightforward in a cardboard packet. I do this fairly regularly. Keeping it intact above this is hard to guarantee, so best sent rolled in a tube in my experience.
Baxter,
What does your packaging actually consist of? On another point, what are your thoughts on selling framed v. un-framed?
Tom.
What does your packaging actually consist of? On another point, what are your thoughts on selling framed v. un-framed?
Tom.
All trade secrets happily revealed here under the friendly APUG umbrella Tom!
Mounted prints - Very hi-tech package made from salvaged cardboard I keep from other shopping. Use of folds around edges provides extra rigidity and seems to do the trick. Every packet is an original artwork in itself!
For rolled prints, can buy flat-pack boxes from office shop at low cost. Simple to construct and store until needed.
Regarding selling framed versus unframed - whatever the customer wants, so long as I sell.... Some customers have particular ideas and so can offer them choice. Prefer to sell mounted as I like to leave gap around image before aperture of mount. I try to use std frame sizes for the mounts, but not all work well with picture proportions in different orientations. I like to let them have their say and if I think it won't work brilliantly, offer an opinion based on my experience. Generally like to keep things simple - Habitat Dark Birch frames are excellent value and work well with my pictures.
HTH
Mounted prints - Very hi-tech package made from salvaged cardboard I keep from other shopping. Use of folds around edges provides extra rigidity and seems to do the trick. Every packet is an original artwork in itself!
For rolled prints, can buy flat-pack boxes from office shop at low cost. Simple to construct and store until needed.
Regarding selling framed versus unframed - whatever the customer wants, so long as I sell.... Some customers have particular ideas and so can offer them choice. Prefer to sell mounted as I like to leave gap around image before aperture of mount. I try to use std frame sizes for the mounts, but not all work well with picture proportions in different orientations. I like to let them have their say and if I think it won't work brilliantly, offer an opinion based on my experience. Generally like to keep things simple - Habitat Dark Birch frames are excellent value and work well with my pictures.
HTH
Thanks,
BTW I hadn't considered Habitat as a source of frames before, interesting.
Tom.
BTW I hadn't considered Habitat as a source of frames before, interesting.
Tom.
Not to worry: neither are we half the time...
My campaign to have all car speedometers converted to measure in furlongs-per-fortnight met with surprisingly little success...
Cheers, Bob.
fdi
Advertiser
If you really want to send framed images you can use acrylic which is almost impossible to break, lighter than glass, and more optically pure. The drawback is that your customers will need to be careful cleaning it. Shipping is expensive especially since you will need to leave a good 3 inches between the picture frame and the edges of the box. Damage is a problem especially since cost just as much to ship the replacement. Since you will be marking up a framed image more you and your customers will be hit with more customs/duties/taxes. I would suggest sending them prints. Since you can roll them in a tube, the shipping cost will be much lower and damages less likely. Matted prints will have a good chance of being bent. If you do decide to ship frames feel free to contact me. I ship them by the thousands and I will be happy to share what I know.
Cheers,
Cheers,
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