Framing 101
Fine Art Paper Prints
NLV Creative Glimpses does not offer framing and matting services. However, I do hope I can help you with some of the options that are available.
NLV Creative Glimpses Print Sizes:
The 8 x 10 prints for sale on this site, will all have an actual image size of 8 x 10 with an extra ½ inch of white space around the image, so the full sheet size is 9 x 11. Other companies may sell 8 x 10 prints that have a full sheet size of 8 x 10 with the image size of 7.5 x 9.5 inches. Likewise the 16 x 20 prints sold on this site, have an actual image size of 16 x 20, with a ½ inch of white space, for a full sheet size of 17 x 21. Again, other companies may sell prints that have a full sheet size of 16 x 20, with an image size of 15.5 x 19.5. This matters when you select a mat for your frame. I purposely chose to have the image be a true measure of either 8 x 10 or 16 x 20, as it does make a significant difference in the image size and overall effect. It is surprising how much larger an image appears when expanded ½ inch on each side.
Custom or DIY ?
1. Custom framing: Simply bring your print to a custom frame shop and let them guide you through the frame materials, matting colors & styles, mat opening desired (white space visible or not), glass types, and hanging hardware. This is the easiest solution for framing your print. Note that all large art / hobby stores offer 50% to 75% off all framing several times a year, so it is well worth it to watch for those opportunities. Why pay full price!
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2. Do it yourself: Yes, you can ! Department stores and art/craft stores offer a great selection of off the shelf matted frames . If you do decide to use an off the shelf frame, I would recommend that you also purchase a ‘custom cut’ mat to replace the precut mat that comes with your frame. Custom cut mats are very inexpensive, they can be ordered online or cut to order at a art/craft big box stores, (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc). If you do not purchase the custom cut mat, and chose to use the precut mat, the image will be cropped by ¼ inch on all sides. You will find some images may not be impacted by the cropping, others may have a critical portion of the image cropped out causing an undesirable effect.
My recommendations when using the ‘off the shelf’ frames at big box stores
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To frame your 8 x 10 fine art paper prints
• Purchase a frame to fit an 11 x 14 (unmatted) or 8 x 10 (matted) image. This frame will come with a mat that has an outer measure of 11 x 14 with a precut opening for 8 x 10 image, (7.5 x 9.5 inch opening). You will not use the mat that comes with the frame, unless you decide the image cropping is something you can live with.
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• Purchase a mat and ask the store framing dept to custom cut it for you (see option A, B, below)
Option A: Custom cut mat with 11 x 14 exterior measure, which will fit the standard frame you purchased. Then have the opening in the mat custom cut to a true 8 x 10 opening. This will mat the image precisely (no cropping of the image, no exposure of the white space on the print)
Option B: Custom cut mat with 11 x 14 exterior measure which will fit the standard frame you purchased. Then have the opening in the mat custom cut to 8.5 x 10.5 inches. This will mat the image and also show ¼ inch of white space around the image, which is desired in some cases (personal taste).
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16 x 20 fine art paper prints
• Purchase a frame to fit an 20 x 24 (unmatted) or 16 x 20 (matted) image. This frame will come with a mat that has an outer measure of 20 x 24 with precut opening for 16 x 20 image, (15.5 x 19.5 inch opening). You will not use the mat that comes with the frame, unless you decide the image cropping is something you can live with.
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• Purchase a mat and ask the store framing dept to custom cut it for you
Option A: Custom cut mat with 20 x 24 exterior measure, which will fit the standard frame you purchased. Then have the opening in the mat custom cut to a true 16 x 20 opening. This will mat the image precisely (no cropping of the image, no exposure of the white space on the print)
Option B: Custom cut mat with 20 x 24 exterior measure which will fit the standard frame you purchased. Then have the opening in the mat custom cut to 16.5 x 20.5 inches. This will mat the image and also show ¼ inch of white space around the image, which is desired in some cases (personal taste).
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