How important is good framing?

[Luminous]

Originally Posted by spiralizer

I just framed up a few prints in cheap frames and used the Kraft paper that is rolled with the print inside its shipping tube as my 'barrier' between the cardboard frame backing and the print. I feel pretty good about that. Surely the paper rolled inside a print during shipping would be acid free, yes?

Unfortunately no. There is a lot of kraft paper that isn't acid free, and is generally not considered to be archival.

You want acid free tissue or acid free glassine paper.

[azurepred]

I don't think I'm worried about the ones I have framed now cause they have matting, but for future mondo prints, I already know I will get standard frames for them, so I will prolly just keep doing what I've been doing and just add spacers to those ones.

[Luminous]

Sounds good. Just make sure you know what the positives and negatives are for using spacers. I haven't used spacers, but I hear they can potentially pinch your art work. I believe this mainly happens if not installed properly.

[azurepred]

I guess I'll ask the framers about them next time I go in.

[Luminous]

Are you still using Michaels?

[azurepred]

yep yep

[Luminous]

Originally Posted by azurepred

yep yep

You might want to look through this thread. While the prices are something to take note of, you should pay attention to some of the stories in there.

http://forum.expressobeans.com/viewt...p?t=59173&f=31

Just looking out.

[azurepred]

Good looking out. I've only had one custom frame through them, and I didn't shop around, so I wasn't sure how good the price was or not. I guess I'll look around next time, but I think they are still great for standard prints cause they have sales on their frames often. I don't think I ever knew mom and pop framers even existed still ha.

[Luminous]

No problem. Definitely take your time looking for a framer. I only recently found an awesome local framer. The guy is very helpful and will do everything to your specifications. He even let me watch his process because he knew I didn't have a great experience with my last framer. That built trust, and now he is doing all of my framing.

[azurepred]

How do you guys feel about matting? I was thinking about it. I have a few of my smallish ones matted, but if I ever sale any of the larger ones, it would have to be sold in a frame and that would be a pain. I know it makes a huge difference in the display, but a really nice frame by itself could look beautiful too. If one had to sell a framed piece, they would prolly lose a lot of value on just the frame job.