Some poster framing questions

I'm not sure what you mean by cheap, but take a look at Frames By Mail:
framesbymail.com/
They have 15% off black frames right now. If you don't mat the poster you can get a thin black frame with foamcore backing for about $30 + shipping.

Depending on the size, I've used IKEA Ribba frames, which come with a mat. Then I used a mat cutter and cut the mats to fit each poster. They end up looking great. The frames are between $15 and $40 depending on size. I bought a used mat cutter for $10. You can also buy mat from Michaels if you wish to change the color (IKEA ribba frames come with white mat)

I've framed a few of my Soundgarden posters at Michaels. If you wait for the 50-60% off sales, you can frame an average poster for $250ish. Make sure to use the UV proof, no-glare glass. It costs a bit more, but makes a world of difference.

#1 rule: make sure mat and/or backing is acid free...otherwise your poster will develop weird stains and be ruined.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to do it RIGHT the first time!!
Don't waste your time and money by framing them twice.
If you really can't afford to do a nice job framing them now,
there are some GREAT options available for poster storage!
And whatever you do...PLEASE get them out of the tubes as soon as possible!!

derbydave said:

The best piece of advice I can give you is to do it RIGHT the first time!!
Don't waste your time and money by framing them twice.
If you really can't afford to do a nice job framing them now,
there are some GREAT options available for poster storage!
And whatever you do...PLEASE get them out of the tubes as soon as possible!!

All very sage advice.

I haven't done any framing yet (have to wait till spring to paint so what's even the point right now you know) but this is what I've learned from my own research so far:

iamloco724 said:

Should the frame be the exact size of the poster or a little bigger?

If you are going to use matting, then you've got to get a larger frame.

iamloco724 said:

Would Michaels be the best place to get a cheap but good frame?

If you're talking about a DIY frame, maybe. I bought frames at Michaels when they had a big sale recently and I got 5 18x24 and 1 24x36 frames for $80. That's just the frame, not actually having the poster framed. I tried to ask for pricing for a frame job but the people who work in the frame department were never there when I went (which was after 5pm) and the random employee who told me there's no one working that department couldn't tell me when anyone would be there. So I stopped caring. Others have said consistently that if you are near a mom & pop frame shop it will be most likely be less expensive doing it there, you just have to be specific about what you want.

iamloco724 said:

Do i have to flatten the poster prior to putting it in the frame or i can put it in there and let the frame flatten it?

You need to flatten the poster first. If it's been in the tube for like a week or less it'll flatten quickly. If it's been sitting for a long time it could take weeks. I've had a couple sitting in tubes for about a year and a half. I've left them flattening for two weeks now before putting them into a portfolio. It also depends on the way they were rolled. If they were rolled very tightly (you may have seen the expression "kong rolled" that will be another problem.

iamloco724 said:

If i wanted to have Michaels actually frame it with a cheap frame and no thrills how much around would that be?

Probably more than it is worth. The issue with doing it no frills is depending on the weather and how long you leave it in the cheap frame you might wind up with the poster warping, or the ink sitting to the glass of the frame, or the back getting stuck, or the framer using a dry mount technique instead of the tape - so that your plan of re-framing the artwork later is going to go down the drain because the poster will have been messed up by the first cheap frame job.

To be clear, I'm doing the same thing as you because it will be probably 3+ years until I can get the posters I have properly professionally framed. So I've bought those frames and now I'm going to try to figure how to get/use spacers with them.

buck502000 said:

hobby lobby always does a good job for me - just saying

I always go the Hobby Lobby route and they are awesome and reasonable in price.

any idea where to frame the double sided ones? Michales cant do it...

Derby...How much approximately do they charge you for a standard frame, single matte, UV protected glass frame job? I want to get about 20 done in the next few months and what I have seen around me is about a $220 for something basic which I think sucks. Curious if you were able to work out a deal with your framer.

How do you transport your posters to the shop? Do you roll it back up and stick it in a tube or do you carry the whole portfolio?
Also, when you go into a new frame shop for the first time to inquire about pricing, is it better to bring the poster with you or no? I'm afraid if I bring a poster and it ends up being too expensive, I'll feel weird about just packing it up and leaving so I might end up just getting the expensive frame job to avoid that awkwardness which is why I'm thinking of going in without the posters but I'm concerned they won't take me seriously if I just walk in there empty handed asking for pricing.