Presenting Prints
So, you’ve got your new print delivered, what next?
Well, the fun part of course – putting it up for display!
But how best to present your new print? There are a lot of choices and the information can be quite overwhelming so I’ll keep it simple.
The short answer is that you can display your print however you like but I would like to make some suggestions.
Presenting Options
Quite simply, there are 3 basic ways to present the prints;
- Framing,
- Mounting, and
- Raw
Framing is my preferred method of displaying my prints as it ensures the prints are not only protected but are presented in a way that can do them justice.
1 -Framing
Framing is the most common way to present prints as it provides excellent protection for the print and allows you to add your owns tastes to the presentation of the print.
The easiest way is to purchase a PSP print that is framed 😉
The framed prints use a Clear Perspex window to ensure that your frames arrive in excellent condition (glass is tricky to ship!) and are mounted on Adhesive Foamcore to eliminate any ripples. The frames are also supplied with D-rings & string for all your hanging needs!
However, if you want to choose another type of frame or live in a location where we can’t ship to, the easiest DIY way to frame your print is to simply use a frame that matches the paper size of the print. For example, use an A2-designed frame for your A2 print.
Most frame suppliers (like Frames Now: (https://www.framesnow.com.au/ )) will have your A-size frames ready to go. Your print will come with a white border meaning that it will look great with nothing else but the glass in front of it.
Easy!
If you want to use custom frames, your own non-standard frames, IKEA frames or use matboards for your presentation, read below in my special section for Custom/Advanced Framing.
2 -Mounting
Mounting is basically the process of attaching the print to a study backing.
This backing can be anything such as light-weight Foamcore sheet, MDF board or even aluminium sheet and can be achieved in many ways such as mounting with glue, heat or pressure-sensitive adhesives.
However, once mounted, the print can generally not be removed from the backing. Additionally, the print will be exposed to the air/light/pollution and can degrade over time if not cared for properly.
A simple mounting method would be to use Canson Self-Adhesive Foamcore Sheets:
https://www.spotlightstores.com/craft-hobbies/basic-craft-supplies/craft-materials/polystyrene-shapes/canson-5-mm-self-adhesive-foam-core-sheet/p/80353271
The print can be carefully mounted to this by applying even and gentle pressure. I recommend placing some paper over the print so you are not pressing directly onto the print itself.
3 -Raw
Finally, there is the Raw presentation style where the print isn’t mounted or framed and is displayed anyway you like.
An interesting and effective way I have seen this achieved is by using a pair of clips attached to the wall to hold the works up!
Custom/Advanced Framing
If you want to use custom frames, your own non-standard frames, IKEA frames or use Matboards, there’s a bit more you will need to know about your prints.
Print Sizes and Borders
Firstly, it will help if I explain about the print sizes and borders on the prints.
When you receive your prints, they will all have a white border around them. This is due to the printing requirements for fine art prints but also helps when mounting.
Below is a table that I have created that shows the Maximum Print Size for each paper size selected:
| Paper Size Selected | Actual Paper Size (cm) | Maximum Print Size (cm) | ||
| Width | Height | Width | Height | |
| A4 | 29.7 | 21 | 26.7 | 18 |
| A3 | 42 | 29.7 | 38 | 25.7 |
| A2 | 59.4 | 42 | 53.4 | 36 |
| A1 | 84.1 | 59.4 | 78.1 | 53.4 |
I will always maximise the size of the print for the longest side meaning that if my maximum print size for an A3 is 38 x 25.7cm and I am printing a ‘landscape’ aspect photo, the width of the image will be 38cm.
The shorter edge, (in the case of a ‘landscape’ aspect photo, this is the height) is dependent on the how I’ve chosen to crop the image. For example, a more panoramic 2:1 ratio image will have a lot more white margin at the top and bottom than a taller 16:9 image.
This difference can be seen when comparing my Oia and Skogafoss images:
You can see that due to the wider aspect of the Oia photo, there is more of the white margin at the top and bottom of the paper.
Frames with Matboards
Frames with Matboards are a great way of displaying prints and also adapting frames to suit the image.
In its simplest form, a frame with Matboard is composed of;
- Frame – the material that forms the main border
- Matboard – The cut-out insert that sits between the glass and the print (also known as the Mount)
- Backing – the flat surface behind the Print
- Glass – The clear material that sits on the Mat Board
When looking to buy a frame for your print, the key dimensions you’ll need to know are;
- Frame Size – what is the size of print the frame can accept?
- Matboard Opening – what is the actual opening size of the Matboard?
Ideally you want a frame that can handle the paper size you choose (i.e. A4, A3, A2 and A1) and has a Matboard opening that allows all of the print to be seen.
However, if you already have a frame that is perhaps slightly oversized or not a standard A-size, a custom cut Matboard is a great way to make use of the frame with your new print.
All of the matting and framing should be ‘archival’ which means that matting boards should acid-free and made of all-rag fibre if possible as this will ensure the preservation of the prints.
So, what should I do to get the right frame?
If you start googling around for framing, you’ll come up with a lot of options.
Here are a few easy options to help you out:
The best of the best – Custom Frames:
If you want the highest quality archival and custom framing, check out Neo Frames (https://neoframes.com.au/) or United Measures (https://unitedmeasures.com/) who are both in Melbourne and can create basically anything you want for your prints.
These are the most preferred way for me to have my prints mounted.
I’m happy to help liaise with these guys if you want to go down this path to ensure you get the exact sizing correct, just contact me.
Off-the-shelf:
If you’re on a budget and happy to accept some compromises in quality over the previous framers but still want a good choice and some customisation, have a look at Frames Now: (https://www.framesnow.com.au/)
Frames Now supply basic frames in A-paper size that will fit their custom matboards.
For example, if you wanted my Oia Dusk photo in A2 you could choose the following:
A2 Frame – https://www.framesnow.com.au/product/a2-moderna-black-picture-frame/
Custom Matboard 59.4 x 42 cm- https://www.framesnow.com.au/product/custom-size-matboard-to-fit-59-4-x-42-cm-frame/
With a Custom Mat Opening size of 53.4 x 30 cm to suit the image size.
IKEA Frames:
Now, IKEA framing size is a little different and frankly not too helpful for prints in A-sizes as their mat openings aren’t too friendly with my prints.
However, IKEA frames combined with Frames Now Matboards will work nicely. All you need to do here is know what paper size the IKEA frames need and then choose the custom matboard from Frames Now to match.
For example, if you wanted my Oia Dusk photo in A2 you could choose the following:
IKEA RIBBA Frame 50x70cm – https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/50301618/#/20268875
Custom Matboard 70x50cm – https://www.framesnow.com.au/product/custom-size-matboard-to-fit-70-x-50-cm-frame/
With a Custom Mat Opening size of 53.4 x 30 cm to suit the image size.
Hopefully this will give you some easy solutions to get your new prints framed!
If you have any questions at all or need some more assistance, contact me at any time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice to present is up to you and how you want to display your new prints.
Custom framing is the best option for quality, flexibility and print preservation however good results can also be achieved using off-the-shelf options.
If budget is an issue or you don’t want glass in front of the print, you can also mount the print without framing and could even resort to just hanging it on the wall with whatever you have around the house!
As always, I’m happy to discuss any ideas you have so please feel free to contact me!