Exhibiting for sale - Framed or unframed?

[ABrosig]

I've got a show coming up in September, part of a larger exhibition at an even larger lifestyle exposition. I'd like to hear some thoughts from folks on exhibiting for sale framed vs. unframed.

I know there are thoughts on both sides: Framed and people don't have any additional expense, vs. unframed and people can frame to fit their decor. I generally go with either plain white or plain black mats.

Any suggestions/thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Ansel]

You need to frame for the exhibition surely?

Whether you sell it framed or not is a different mater, and one to be negotiated with any potential buyers.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Congrats on incoming show!
Framing is the art on itself and even more costly than actual print.
With all kind of different tastes on framing. My wife wants it all to be same style, but I like all and crazy, for example 🙂

Have you checked with organizers? Some of them have strict rules for framing, no framing.

 

[ABrosig]

Congrats on incoming show!
Framing is the art on itself and even more costly than actual print.
With all kind of different tastes on framing. My wife wants it all to be same style, but I like all and crazy, for example 🙂

Have you checked with organizers? Some of them have strict rules for framing, no framing.

Thanks! Beauty of it is, the paper I work for is organizing the thing. So, I guess, I'm the de facto organizer of the show. Basically, what other's think doesn't matter.

I'm kind of agreeing framing for show is good. Possibly two prices, with and without frame. I don't know! That's why I'm asking you guys! 🙂

 

[thegman]

A reasonably priced framing option would appeal to me. I'm lazy, so if I think I've got to get this print home, find a frame I like the correct size, and do it myself, that's off-putting.

A ready to go 'product', ready to hang on my wall is more attractive to me as a buyer.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Unframed. Absolutely.

A frame that didn't fit my aesthetic interests would deter me from buying the print, and might even affect my appreciation of the image itself. I absolutely would not want anything with a "black matte."

Edit:
(clarifying) —*I should have specified that, of course, an exhibited work should be framed, but aren't we talking about 'editions' of a print? I'd expect to see it framed, but purchase it unframed.

I'd also hesitate to suggest that a 'simple black frame' is the best way to present something. Depends on the frame. Depends on the subject matter/composition/coloring. Depends on how/if it is matted. To the person who suggested that buying a print unframed is like 'buying a car without tires,' i'd say that it would be more like buying a car by the Model number and not having input on the color or options. I want a 911, but i don't want a red one with blacked-out rims....

 

[jsrockit]

Maybe find out what the exhibition expects...

 

[daveleo]

I would frame for the exhibit, but only offer mounted-matted-bagged for sale. White matte except in rare instances, per the "artists" choice.
The exhibit frame will add a character to the picture; that may effect the viewers impression, so I would stay with simple black frames, unless you positively want to help the viewer interpret or accept the picture in a certain way.

 

[arseniii]

I think both framed and unframed should be available. That is up to the customers to decide which version they want. Speaking from a customer prospective I'd want a framed one, it's a complete piece ready to be hung on my wall. Unframed - to me, is like buying a car without wheels 🙂

P.S. Chris Crawford has an amazing tutorial on framing on his web-site.
He's one of RFF valuable members 😉

http://crawfordphotoschool.com/creativity/framing.php

Good luck!

 

[fotografr]

I currently have an exhibition hung for which I had prints made on aluminum. I increased the canvas size around the images to create a white border which serves the same purpose as a matte. The prints are ready to hang, do not need frames, mattes or glass. They were extremely well received. It sure made my job a lot easier and the aluminum with white glossy base worked out really well for the b&w images.

http://tamarackgallerymadison.com/e...ptured-memories-of-the-northern-oregon-coast/

 

[daveleo]

@fotografr - where did you have your aluminum prints made?
Do you have any comments how sensitive the surface is to being scratched ???


PS: I enjoyed the work on your web page very much. Beautiful stuff !!

 

[fotografr]

@fotografr - where did you have your aluminum prints made?
Do you have any comments how sensitive the surface is to being scratched ???


PS: I enjoyed the work on your web page very much. Beautiful stuff !!

Thanks, Dave. I had prints made by Aspen Creek Photo, the "little sister" of West Coast Imaging. They did a great job. I had one batch of 5 prints come back too dark and all it took was a phone call. They re-printed them no questions asked. If you're having a series printed and the processing is similar, I'd suggest starting out with a test print, or maybe just select a small portion of an image and have a 5x7 made to see how it looks.

The prints don't scratch easily, but if you scraped one with a sharp metal object it would certainly do it. If the prints get smudged, they can actually be cleaned with Windex and paper towels.

 

[daveleo]

Thanks, Dave. I had prints made by Aspen Creek Photo, the "little sister" of West Coast Imaging. They did a great job. I had one batch of 5 prints come back too dark and all it took was a phone call. They re-printed them no questions asked. If you're having a series printed and the processing is similar, I'd suggest starting out with a test print, or maybe just select a small portion of an image and have a 5x7 made to see how it looks.

The prints don't scratch easily, but if you scraped one with a sharp metal object it would certainly do it. If the prints get smudged, they can actually be cleaned with Windex and paper towels.

Thanks for that info. I will give them a try.
Had 2 printed on (white) aluminum at FineArtAmerca ($76 each) and they said to treat it as a "fine art print", which did not give me a warm feeling about scratch-resistance.

They did look great, however.

 

[seakayaker1]

I hang framed images at a show, and will have pricing available for a image that is matted & framed; image that is matted only; and image only.

Good luck with the show!