Posted by Leann Greene on January 23, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Those of you that have had experience with selling at exhibitions,festivals and craft fairs-what is your matting style? Single mat,double mat,neutral colors(whites,tan,gray etc),accenting colors?
Posted by Richard Wong on January 24, 2007 at 2:01 AM
Are you planning to sell at a fair or something? If so, let me know when/where it is.
Posted by Steve Foss on January 24, 2007 at 10:36 AM
It can be difficult to sell matted, framed prints. Someone tremendously attracted to the image may not like the mat or frame style or color. So I generally have a number of matted, framed prints on display (and for sale, don't get me wrong), with prints mounted on foamboard in clear bags. Most people are attracted to the image on display, and if they want the whole shebang it's there to buy. But more sales are made of the prints alone in these settings, in my experience.
That being said, I prefer light to mid-range neutral colors on mats and frames. Sometimes I double mat, sometimes single. Sometimes when I double mat I mount spacers between the two layers of mat to add a deeper, shadow effect. As a rule, I don't mat and frame in such a way as to take the eye away from the image. Not just my own work, but anyone's work I frame.
I double-mat mine with a black outer mat (complete opposite of what most galleries like). As many will tell you dark and or color-matched mats outsell white mats.
I generally have a couple of framed showcase pieces which make a nice impression and draw people in but they never really sell. In my experience people prefer to buy nicely matted prints packed in clear bags that they can frame themselves.
Alex, the clear bag is pretty snug around the print and allows people to handle it without worrying about fingerprints or scratches. I usually have a couple of framed prints hanging and a couple of stacks of matted/bagged prints in 2 large bins.
Here's an insight following Steve's points about color and style:
In addition to the few nature prints we have for sale in our studio, my wife offers matting and framing for all the portrait work she does. On the nature prints, sale of matted or matted and framed prints runs about 10% of the total volume of those sales (in $'s, not #'s). Since they are so much more expensive than unmounted, that indicates how few are sold in actual numbers.
On the other hand, the matting and framing is a significant income source for my wife's work, both for us and for the two frame shops in town than get work from folks that don't buy from us. But there's a great big fat barb hidden in that. Moving people through the process of selecting mat and frame is VERY time consuming, as well as expensive to set up. You have to buy sample corner sets of both mats and frames, display them and keep them current. People can take forever to make their choices (My wife says it takes twice as long on average as the photo session itself).
Unless you want to encumber the bucks in a very expensive inventory on hand, you have to wait for the materials to arrive after you order them. In our experience all frame companies frequently mess up something ranging from your rush shipping arrangements to size, style or color. Imagine telling a client their frame will be ready in a week, only to have the frame source ship it parcel post. When it arrives four weeks later it's wrong. The customer is very unhappy by then, and you look bad for something that's pretty much out of your control.
My wife hangs in there and knows all the frame company service reps by name, their children's names and their favorite flavor of chocolate, she spends so much time on the phone straightening things out with them.
If it was up to me, for our nature prints there would be two choices in mat and frames: Yes or no. Looks like both Guy and Steve offer the same choices. For fairs with so much else going on, those are the choices I offer, and like the others here, most sales are no's on the mat and frame.
More than you asked for, but important to know what you are getting into if you should get fascinated with matting and framing. It's an involved and frustrating process at times, but rewarding financially. If like my wife, you really enjoy people, it's a great way to get acquainted!
Posted by Matt Dallos on January 24, 2007 at 6:08 PM
I have another question to add, how is everyone mounting their pictures when they are selling matted prints at the art shows?
I put on a class a couple years ago about doing art shows. One of the attendees wrote up a great and very detailed itemization of what we covered. Here's the link:
Posted by Bryan McCarty on January 24, 2007 at 7:41 PM
I have question to add too, how many of you make your own prints? Do use a lab's services? All the prints I've sold before were made on my Canon I9100, would that be good enough for an Arts & crafts fair I'm doing this summer?
Posted by Joe Becker on January 25, 2007 at 4:43 PM
I started doing two to three local shows a year a couple of years ago. I do my own printing, matting, and framing. I double mat all framed images, and double mat 11x14 or larger unframed images, but only single mat smaller unframed sizes. I offer black or off-white mats only. The unframed images are protected by clear bags. The unframed images generally sell better (people come in and look at the framed ones then buy the unframed ones). The black mats tend to sell a bit better than the white (I generally prefer the black ones myself). For frames, I offer simple black metal frames and simple oak frames (at a slightly higher price) and I haven't sold enough to truly know if people have a preference. The idea is to keep everything fairly simple - two choices of mats, two choices of frames. For mounting the photo, I use archival paper tape, hinge a foamboard backing to the mat, and "T-mount" the top of the photo to the back of the mat.
I can't really address your Canon I9100 question as I print with an Epson 2200, but my printer works well for me. I currently don't offer anything larger than the 2200 can print (13x19).
Posted by Leann Greene on January 26, 2007 at 1:35 AM
Excellent responses!
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 28, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Hi Leann - I've had an oppsoite experience of some that have answered so far so I'll chime in. I've sold more framed pieces than unframed ones, probably a 2:1 ratio. I triple mat the image, usually with a white or very light neutral inner mat (with a 1"-1 1/2" wide border, depending on image size), then with a 3/8" wide middle mat of a darker complementary color, and then a neutral complementary color for the outer mat. I also oversize the frame a good bit. I think that's the key to selling more framed pieces. I use non-ornate, somewhat classic wooden frames that complement the outer mat and image. Minimum size frames that I use are as follows: for an 8X10 image I use 16x20 frame; 11x17 image I use 18x24 frame, and 13x19 image I use a 22x28 frame. Again, those are minimum sizes. For a semi-pano (13x24, etc.) I will use a 24 x36. Panos are all custom sized. I have had many comments from other artists in the gallery and from some customers that my images are presented more like art because of this than so many other photographers who just slap a single mat on and put an 8x10 into an 11x14 frame. I put a lot of time and effort into doing the best framing job I can, and I think it really does make a difference.
Posted by Steve Foss on January 28, 2007 at 9:40 PM
To answer a question or two posed above, I don't protect the front of the image with anything but the clear bag. As Guy said, handling isn't much of an issue. And I most often simply cut a piece of foamboard to back the print in the clearbag, but it's not mounted in any way. It's cheaper for me to produce that way, and it allows the buyer to pick their mat. Most prints I sell this way are sized for my signature and a small white border outside the print on three sides with the signature on a larger white field below the image, in such dimensions that store-bought mats in standard sizes will work just fine. I've lost a fair number of sales of prints not framed, but just matted and mounted, because the customer didn't like the mat color. I cringe at some of the mat colors I've seen customers pick to frame my work, but it's theirs to do with what they wish after they write the check.
Other points mentioned:
1. I used to do all my own printing, sending out larger images that my printer couldn't handle, but I've done a lot of math on the subject and the only reason I now keep a printer on hand is for the rare occasion that someone local wants a print RIGHT NOW. And also because we do the occasional custom thank-you card or other cards for our own use to give to friends and family, but not in big enough batches to send out. All other prints now go out to a large-volume, low-price, excellent-quality photo printing company. Far cheaper than I can do it myself, and I have the order at my door two days later. The company I deal with takes all orders transmitted online. For the nature work I'm framing myself for shows, I order it fused to foamboard to match the dimensions of the frames I've chosen, so we don't have to mount it ourselves but just cut the mat and put it all together.
2. I don't offer a matting/framing service. My spouse, an artist and graphic designer, cuts my mats for work I frame for shows, etc., and I do all the mounting and put-together, but we don't offer it as an option for customers. Like Hank said, there's not enough time in the day, and there aren't that many clients who are willing to pay the high price for me to take my time to lead them through the whole process.
I was considering just putting prints on black backing board, but I decided that doesn't look very nice compared to a matted print. Light impressions always seems expensive to me, but I have bought a few things from them. I'm going to buy a few black precuts for 5x7 prints I'm going to offer for sale at an art fair. I personally light small prints in black mattes. I haven't ordered yet, but clearbags.com seems to have everything I want at decent prices. Good luck and let us know how it goes! (Ask me after 2/10).
Posted by Jennifer Geck on January 30, 2007 at 12:43 AM
I've just been doing the simple white mat with black frame. Thinking maybe I should buy a mat cutter though...
I like buying through http://documounts.com They seem to be cheaper than Light Impressions and I've always been happy with them. I think there's a $50 minimum order (or extra fee for less than $50) but it's very easy to spend $50.
I have purchased from Documounts before but for custom orders the Custom Cut Mats from Light Impressions are much more reasonable and they deliver much faster. Documounts may be cheaper if you are buying large lots of one size...then maybe not. I've recently switched to Light Impressions. I particularly like their 8 ply mats.
Discussion
18 repliesgood luck.
That being said, I prefer light to mid-range neutral colors on mats and frames. Sometimes I double mat, sometimes single. Sometimes when I double mat I mount spacers between the two layers of mat to add a deeper, shadow effect. As a rule, I don't mat and frame in such a way as to take the eye away from the image. Not just my own work, but anyone's work I frame.
I generally have a couple of framed showcase pieces which make a nice impression and draw people in but they never really sell. In my experience people prefer to buy nicely matted prints packed in clear bags that they can frame themselves.
Guy
Cheers,
Alex
Guy
In addition to the few nature prints we have for sale in our studio, my wife offers matting and framing for all the portrait work she does. On the nature prints, sale of matted or matted and framed prints runs about 10% of the total volume of those sales (in $'s, not #'s). Since they are so much more expensive than unmounted, that indicates how few are sold in actual numbers.
On the other hand, the matting and framing is a significant income source for my wife's work, both for us and for the two frame shops in town than get work from folks that don't buy from us. But there's a great big fat barb hidden in that. Moving people through the process of selecting mat and frame is VERY time consuming, as well as expensive to set up. You have to buy sample corner sets of both mats and frames, display them and keep them current. People can take forever to make their choices (My wife says it takes twice as long on average as the photo session itself).
Unless you want to encumber the bucks in a very expensive inventory on hand, you have to wait for the materials to arrive after you order them. In our experience all frame companies frequently mess up something ranging from your rush shipping arrangements to size, style or color. Imagine telling a client their frame will be ready in a week, only to have the frame source ship it parcel post. When it arrives four weeks later it's wrong. The customer is very unhappy by then, and you look bad for something that's pretty much out of your control.
My wife hangs in there and knows all the frame company service reps by name, their children's names and their favorite flavor of chocolate, she spends so much time on the phone straightening things out with them.
If it was up to me, for our nature prints there would be two choices in mat and frames: Yes or no. Looks like both Guy and Steve offer the same choices. For fairs with so much else going on, those are the choices I offer, and like the others here, most sales are no's on the mat and frame.
More than you asked for, but important to know what you are getting into if you should get fascinated with matting and framing. It's an involved and frustrating process at times, but rewarding financially. If like my wife, you really enjoy people, it's a great way to get acquainted!
http://colorado.naturephotographers.net/events/2005-02-artshow/index.shtml
I can't really address your Canon I9100 question as I print with an Epson 2200, but my printer works well for me. I currently don't offer anything larger than the 2200 can print (13x19).
Other points mentioned:
1. I used to do all my own printing, sending out larger images that my printer couldn't handle, but I've done a lot of math on the subject and the only reason I now keep a printer on hand is for the rare occasion that someone local wants a print RIGHT NOW. And also because we do the occasional custom thank-you card or other cards for our own use to give to friends and family, but not in big enough batches to send out. All other prints now go out to a large-volume, low-price, excellent-quality photo printing company. Far cheaper than I can do it myself, and I have the order at my door two days later. The company I deal with takes all orders transmitted online. For the nature work I'm framing myself for shows, I order it fused to foamboard to match the dimensions of the frames I've chosen, so we don't have to mount it ourselves but just cut the mat and put it all together.
2. I don't offer a matting/framing service. My spouse, an artist and graphic designer, cuts my mats for work I frame for shows, etc., and I do all the mounting and put-together, but we don't offer it as an option for customers. Like Hank said, there's not enough time in the day, and there aren't that many clients who are willing to pay the high price for me to take my time to lead them through the whole process.
I like buying through http://documounts.com They seem to be cheaper than Light Impressions and I've always been happy with them. I think there's a $50 minimum order (or extra fee for less than $50) but it's very easy to spend $50.
Good luck!