Poster Framing Questions

darwinstheory · December 2022

So, I have a few posters that I NEED to get framed. I have had them for awhile and it is time to get them ready for the walls (been waiting on the basement to be finished). So, they will obviously be hung in a fairly dark (no direct sunlight) finished basement.

Questions for the veterans:

I understand Hobby Lobby or Michael's might be the best places to go when they have their framing sales. Do you use the same frame for all your posters to keep them uniform and matching? What other options do I need to keep in mind when I carry a poster to the counter? Do I need special glass since they will not be exposed to the sunlight?

Anything else I'm not thinking about?

Thanks,
Chris

2-feign-reluctance · December 2022

Michaels prices have gone up. Over $200 was cheapest option for metal framing, no mat, and cheapest glass option on a PJ 18x24 print.

2-feign-reluctance · December 2022

UV glass if going in a place with either direct or indirect sunlight.

darwinstheory · December 2022

Holy crap! Maybe I should start by purchasing a frame during one of their frame sales and hanging on to it until they have a framing sale??

2-feign-reluctance · December 2022

darwinstheory said:

Holy crap! Maybe I should start by purchasing a frame during one of their frame sales and hanging on to it until they have a framing sale??

It’s a good one time investment to have the really special prints pro framed by them. The ones I had them do aren’t fancy, but I feel good knowing they are properly protected

Guy Dudebro · December 2022

darwinstheory said:

Holy crap! Maybe I should start by purchasing a frame during one of their frame sales and hanging on to it until they have a framing sale??

Michael’s is 80% of through tomorrow. I’m getting a 30”x40” poster framed for under $200.

StardogChamp79 · December 2022

Art to frame is a good option if it’s going in a basement etc. Just put in the dimensions and go!

F Me In The Brain · December 2022

Chris, see if you have an independent framer close to where you live. If you bring in they can show you what they can do within budget. Should be cheaper with no sunlight contact so no need for special glass. My local would usually knock off some if I brought in multiples to do at once.
I've never gone the Michael's route....

MS149515 · December 2022

darwinstheory said:

So, I have a few posters that I NEED to get framed. I have had them for awhile and it is time to get them ready for the walls (been waiting on the basement to be finished). So, they will obviously be hung in a fairly dark (no direct sunlight) finished basement.

Questions for the veterans:

I understand Hobby Lobby or Michael's might be the best places to go when they have their framing sales. Do you use the same frame for all your posters to keep them uniform and matching? What other options do I need to keep in mind when I carry a poster to the counter? Do I need special glass since they will not be exposed to the sunlight?

Anything else I'm not thinking about?

Thanks,
Chris

Skip the big box stores and go to a local frame shop. Pay particular attention to how the frame is put together as I’ve had Michael’s frames come apart from the weight of the glass and matte; I then had those prints re-framed by a local shop. You WILL pay more but the quality of the materials and work done is what you get.

Also, you can skip the UV glass but I don’t recommend it. Always think about the future, you may want to display a poster in a main part of the house as a pop of style most people don’t have/do. Light goes wherever it wants so UV glass is always worth it.

Lastly, don’t frame them all at once, that diminishes the fun. This will also help with the costs.

EDIT - I forgot to add that I vary the frames and matting that I use and only use the same frame if it's a series of prints or there is a running theme. This will help to draw out the best qualities of the print. A local framer can also help with suggestions of frame/matte combinations.

Send me a DM and I can (probably) send you photos of properly done frame corners, I have a lot of frames that I'd need to check.

3days · December 2022

I have mutiple nightmare stories from Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I had no idea how bad their work was until years later.

They cut notches into one of my prints to make it fit in the frame. I'm guessing that they measured incorrectly, and ordered the materials too small.

They drymounted a print after specifically being told not to drymount it.

They have ruined several of my prints by not using preservation friendly materials. Usually the chemicals/acid in mats have left a dark stain around the borders of my posters.

When I confronted them politely about this, they basically admitted that their work isn't quality, and that I should look elsewhere for my framing needs.

2-feign-reluctance · December 2022

StardogChamp79 said:

Art to frame is a good option if it’s going in a basement etc. Just put in the dimensions and go!

And that’s poster dimensions right? The drop down says ‘frame’ which makes me nervous. So if I have an 18x24 print, that’s what I put in, even with a mat option?

StardogChamp79 · December 2022

2-feign-reluctance said:

StardogChamp79 said:

Art to frame is a good option if it’s going in a basement etc. Just put in the dimensions and go!

And that’s poster dimensions right? The drop down says ‘frame’ which makes me nervous. So if I have an 18x24 print, that’s what I put in, even with a mat option?

If you click on the top where it says your size it will say your finished size after adding the mat. So finished size of an 18 x 24 will be 24.5 x 30.5 with the frame and mat.

darwinstheory · December 2022

Thank you Chris, Brett and the rest. I think I will look into using a local framer with more experience in specialized items. Though I have know idea what you call a local framer.

Side question (in my best Liam Neeson voice): I possess a very particular set of skills....in woodworking. Anyone ever make their own poster frames? Wondering if a professional framer would be willing to frame a poster in a frame they didn't sell themselves.

F Me In The Brain · December 2022

Local framer?
Independent business owner, professional framing shop, local to you.
I can only speak for my two shops near me...one would probably have embraced your frame creation (he's dead now) and the other one is unlikely to.
You'd have to chat them up, make a friend

mace1229 · December 2022

2-feign-reluctance said:

StardogChamp79 said:

Art to frame is a good option if it’s going in a basement etc. Just put in the dimensions and go!

And that’s poster dimensions right? The drop down says ‘frame’ which makes me nervous. So if I have an 18x24 print, that’s what I put in, even with a mat option?

I was going to say the same thing. I use art to frame for almost all my custom framing.

And yes that is poster size. If you want a mat it will add the dimensions for you. And you should be able to select mat size, like 1” or 2” I believe. It also defaults to double matted. I always just use single, so be sure to select single. I forgot to once and I got a second black mat that I didnt want. Also saves you like $10 to do just one. If you read the directions it says they add something 1/8” to your poster size to make sure it fits the frame. But you can be as exact as you want, If your poster has a bigger border on it and your getting it matted, you can enter slightly smaller size . I’ve done that to hide edge damage or just thought it looked better with a smaller (or none) natural border.

I wait until I need 3 or 4 frames and see a coupon for free shipping or something. Comes out to about $50 matted if you get a basic frame with upgraded plexi.. Can spend a little more and get a nicer frame.i probably have about a dozen or so.

no complains so far, have always fit perfectly and look great. Except for the one poster I didn’t upgrade the plexus, it looks cheap.worth the extra few bucks.
Ive heard bad stories about Michaels too, I’ve used them for standard frames and been okay.

If it’s standard size I usually buy a standard frame on sale from Michaels. If you want it matted they will cut it and frame it for about $20. Stay away from their really cheap standard frames, they look really cheap even on the wall. I’ve thrown a few out and upgraded when I started framing all mine..

mace1229 · December 2022

darwinstheory said:

Thank you Chris, Brett and the rest. I think I will look into using a local framer with more experience in specialized items. Though I have know idea what you call a local framer.

Side question (in my best Liam Neeson voice): I possess a very particular set of skills....in woodworking. Anyone ever make their own poster frames? Wondering if a professional framer would be willing to frame a poster in a frame they didn't sell themselves.

I don’t know about a local professional. But We’ve had Michaels re-mat artwork for cheap. So it’s possible. But if you’re making the frame might be better off to just order the glass and mat and assembling it yourself. They might do that. Could even contact art to frames and see if they would do that too.
Most posters aren’t worth what a local framer would charge, and I hate spending more on the frame than the poster.

on2legs · December 2022

Sunlight isn’t the only source of uv light that can damage prints. Indoor lights can also give off uv light depending on the type of bulbs you’re using and will damage prints just like sunlight.

MedozK · December 2022

mace1229 said:

darwinstheory said:

Thank you Chris, Brett and the rest. I think I will look into using a local framer with more experience in specialized items. Though I have know idea what you call a local framer.

Side question (in my best Liam Neeson voice): I possess a very particular set of skills....in woodworking. Anyone ever make their own poster frames? Wondering if a professional framer would be willing to frame a poster in a frame they didn't sell themselves.
Most posters aren’t worth what a local framer would charge, and I hate spending more on the frame than the poster.

I feel about the same way. When it comes down to it these are $30-$40 posters. I have mine framed at Hobby Lobby, I don't ever plan on selling any that I have framed so as long as they look nice on my wall that's all I really care about. I have about 10 framed now.

If I had any thought of reselling, I would never frame them and just put them in a portfolio. The time is about to come for me to frame the 5-6 I really want framed and sell the rest in my portfolio.... not getting any younger...lol

darwinstheory · December 2022

Thanks everyone for the advice and tips. I don't have any spectacular prints (EV Chicago 2011 pair are bybfar my best) to frame but will still upload them to the framed posters thread when I get them done.

on2legs · December 2022

darwinstheory said:

Thanks everyone for the advice and tips. I don't have any spectacular prints (EV Chicago 2011 pair are bybfar my best) to frame but will still upload them to the framed posters thread when I get them done.

My framed posters are my favorite Pearl Jam things. It’s nice they have value, but they all have amazing memories of great shows, friends and travels that are happily provoked when I look at them.

Kel Varnsen · December 2022

Another option for cheap and possibly good framing is to stalk places like FB Marketplace for people selling framed art in the size you need. I picked up a frame for my 2016 Ottawa print for like 40 bucks. Took it apart, threw out the ugly print inside and ended up with custom acid framed materials. The overlap is a tiny bit too much but I don't really care for the price. The only catch is you just have to be patient.

Poster Framing Questions

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