That looks excellent :) I just ordered 4 16x24 prints myself and the framing materials to go with it. I'm using a similar framing, but in metal from americanframe.com to set these up with.
You need to finish that one off by titleing the mat on the lower left and signing on the lower right :)
You need to finish that one off by titleing the mat on the lower left and signing on the lower right :)
I have been wondering about that myself. Is that something that a lot of photographers do? Do you just use a pen and write it by hand? What about placement of the title and signature, should they be closer to the photo, or closer to the edge of the mat?
I checked out that site and they are great and great prices. But when I found this art decor store it was even better. I may order from them someday never know.
Are you saying put "Leopard" or etc in the lower left and sign my name on the lower right corner? What do you use to do this? Press on foil or do you title it ny hand? I would be afraid of ruining the matte :) I have a silver permanent marker I cou sign it with.
Do you have a snap of one you have done previously you could show us?
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Calvus,
That looks excellent :) I just ordered 4 16x24 prints myself and the framing materials to go with it. I'm using a similar framing, but in metal from americanframe.com to set these up with.
You need to finish that one off by titleing the mat on the lower left and signing on the lower right :)
HERE is an example of a 16x20 print that I matted and framed. I used a silver paint pen (DecoColor Opaque Paint Marker by Marvy/Uchida - Extra Fine Point from AC Moore ~$2.59) to put "Crabtree Falls" in the lower left and my signature '03 in the lower right.
A thought occurs - if we are interested in archival printing and framing, I would assume any pens etc would also need to be archival so that the air within the frame doesn't come acidic from the inks ? correct ?
Mostly I haven't cared, assuming that I'd just reprint or replace anything in a few years time anyway - but if I was selling them it is something I might pay more attention to.
I sell 13x19's matted only, for $250.
I'd very likely include a frame if the customer requested it, but prefer to let the customer frame for their enviornment.
The key that I keep being reminded of, as I read post after post after post, asking about pricing, is that it is truly about marketing. Lots of people are capable of being president, but 1 of 2 will likely be the next one. It has nothing to do with "great" photographs and everything to do with selling them. Last night on the Apprentice, some art work sold and some didn't. The lesson was supposed to be..."believe" in what you are selling. "Like" the product. Profit has no room for apologies. Your work is worth every penny. "Ask and you shall receive".
Sorry if I got off preaching, but Robin your work is wonderful. It deserves a "going" rate. If you want to donate or tithe or just plain give it away, that is YOUR business. Just understand how good the work is. Certainly worth a couple of hundred bucks, matted and framed.
We often get crtiqued pretty rough in DPC and sometimes forget how nice our work may be. But it is good in that we are forced to constantly improve and not get lazy.
I can't thank everyone enough for the nice compliments.
I always look forward to reading your comments, suggestions and Humor!
Thanks to everyone.
Originally posted by Flash:
Calvus,
John's suggestion of $225 is very reasonable.
I sell 13x19's matted only, for $250.
I'd very likely include a frame if the customer requested it, but prefer to let the customer frame for their enviornment.
The key that I keep being reminded of, as I read post after post after post, asking about pricing, is that it is truly about marketing. Lots of people are capable of being president, but 1 of 2 will likely be the next one. It has nothing to do with "great" photographs and everything to do with selling them. Last night on the Apprentice, some art work sold and some didn't. The lesson was supposed to be..."believe" in what you are selling. "Like" the product. Profit has no room for apologies. Your work is worth every penny. "Ask and you shall receive".
Sorry if I got off preaching, but Robin your work is wonderful. It deserves a "going" rate. If you want to donate or tithe or just plain give it away, that is YOUR business. Just understand how good the work is. Certainly worth a couple of hundred bucks, matted and framed.
Calvus just to echo Gordon's observation on glass. Non glare glass cuts the brilliance of a print or watercolor.As a watercolor student this was driven home by my instructor many years ago. Good luck in San Antonio, lovely area.
That is a gorgeous print Calvus. Good Job! I agree completely with all comments made in this thread about titling, signing, and pricing.
Regarding the glass issue, I just had the privilege of accompanying a friend who purchased my work to her art gallery to purchase mat and framing, and learned a couple of things while there. The art gallery strongly recommended using something called Den glass (not sure of the exact name, it might be a brand....). It's not "non-glare", but is very close to it. It doesn't haze the look of the print like a non-glare does. And as such, it doesn't mute the appearance of the colors either.
The art gallery also strongly suggested that art prints should always be signed by the artist. I personally title and sign the white area below the print itself as well as the mat I apply. If the purchaser chooses to remove the mat, then he/she could opt to re-mat with the title and signature on the print showing, but this would require that the white border of your print paper also be visible. In my friend's case, I went back to the art gallery with her so that I could title and sign the mats she purchased. (Oh god! And my work looked soooooo gorgeous, and I was so flattered that my friend would plunk down $200 or more to mat and frame a print of mine! But then again, she's a compulsive spender!)
Regarding the pen used - while at the gallery, I requested a pen because I forgot to bring the one I usually use, and they just handed me a ballpoint pen! Interesting, as I was concerned about the archival ink issue too. No comments were made by the art gallery about this issue, so I guess it might not be a concern acid-wise?
Anyway, for titling and signing, I use one of the following, depending on the mat color: a fine-tip Sharpie black marker, or a silver metallic ink marker.
As an aside: They also showed me how to attach the print to the back of the mat: apply archival tape along the top edge of the print (from corner to corner), and then apply a small piece of tape at each bottom corner. That's it.
I thought most people recommend attaching the photo to the mat along two adjacent sides, so that it doesn't curl or warp with changes in heat or humidity.
The acidity issues bug me. None of my framing is air-tight to begin with. I can't imagine the pen I use to sign anything creating a problem. If my framing was air tight, it could be a different issue. I don't even know how I would begin to do it.
