Clovishound
Senior Member
I've been looking at different ways of displaying prints. Wondering what everyone else is doing and maybe some unique ideas.
This is what I've looked at/done.
1. Mat and frame. This is the definitive method IMO. The biggest down side is cost. Unless you have a business license and can buy from a framing wholesaler, it's expensive. I used to mat and frame things for my Reserve Squadron. I used only the archival mat board and aluminum frame stock. I cut the frames on my table saw with a special jig, and made sure the finished size was one of the sizes that glass came in to preclude having to cut sheet glass. Premade frames have the issue of normally needing to cut a mat at different widths vertically and horizontally, which is not as aesthetically pleasing to me.
2. Dry mount. I have been experimenting with mounting bordered prints on a sheet of black foamcore. The border on the print mimics a mat. This is inexpensive, light and appeals to me, as it is similar to the mounting requirements years ago for photo contests. Not good protection for the print, but is good for short term display IMO. I've been using spray mount adhesive, but have my dad's old dry mount press, although the mounting tissue has gotten hard to find, and expensive.
3. Simple frames. The Pup came home with a three pack of plastic frames from Wally World the other day. They were 8 1/2 x 11, the size we often print. The frames are black and extremely thin profile. I was surprised to see they use real glass. The glass is thin, but the edges are sanded to keep you from cutting your fingers to pieces. They actually look better than expected, although they do make the 8 1/2 x 11 prints look rather small on the wall. I believe the 3 pack was something like $6. The other down side is they have a piece of very thin plain cardboard as the backer, and there is not enough room to use matboard. Perhaps thick cardstock would work. Then again, not sure that worrying about archival quality when using a $2 plastic frame.
This is what I've looked at/done.
1. Mat and frame. This is the definitive method IMO. The biggest down side is cost. Unless you have a business license and can buy from a framing wholesaler, it's expensive. I used to mat and frame things for my Reserve Squadron. I used only the archival mat board and aluminum frame stock. I cut the frames on my table saw with a special jig, and made sure the finished size was one of the sizes that glass came in to preclude having to cut sheet glass. Premade frames have the issue of normally needing to cut a mat at different widths vertically and horizontally, which is not as aesthetically pleasing to me.
2. Dry mount. I have been experimenting with mounting bordered prints on a sheet of black foamcore. The border on the print mimics a mat. This is inexpensive, light and appeals to me, as it is similar to the mounting requirements years ago for photo contests. Not good protection for the print, but is good for short term display IMO. I've been using spray mount adhesive, but have my dad's old dry mount press, although the mounting tissue has gotten hard to find, and expensive.
3. Simple frames. The Pup came home with a three pack of plastic frames from Wally World the other day. They were 8 1/2 x 11, the size we often print. The frames are black and extremely thin profile. I was surprised to see they use real glass. The glass is thin, but the edges are sanded to keep you from cutting your fingers to pieces. They actually look better than expected, although they do make the 8 1/2 x 11 prints look rather small on the wall. I believe the 3 pack was something like $6. The other down side is they have a piece of very thin plain cardboard as the backer, and there is not enough room to use matboard. Perhaps thick cardstock would work. Then again, not sure that worrying about archival quality when using a $2 plastic frame.
