"Affordable" Framing?

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I've got a 30x90" print that I need to have matted and framed. However, I don't want to spend $500+ to have it framed. If you know of anyone in the DFW who can do a good job at an affordable price on this size of image... please let me know.

Thank you!

- Wil

[L Stegall]

Wow, no matter what you do, something that size won't be inexpensive to frame. I had a very large (maybe 3' x 4') autographed flag from the Tour du France that I had framed @ Michael's (or is it MJDesigns now???) when they had a 60% off custom framing sale last year - they seem to be having them fairly frequently these days, as I'm always getting coupons for one. Even @ 60% off, it was several hundred dollars, but they did a nice job with it.

[jeffkohn]

I don't think you'll be able to mat a 90" print, AFAIK 80" is as big as you can go, and even that is quite expensive. A lot of places only offer mats up to 60". You'll probably have to go with a linen liner.

Framing a print of that size is not going to be cheap, no matter what. You might talk the the guys at Frame Destination (they're local to you), and see what suggestions they have. They can do big frames, but I don't know if they do linen liners or not.

[venchka]

Buy a saw. Buy matt board. D.I.Y.



Can anybody do a gallery wrap that big? No frame required.

YIKES! The matt will be 40"+ x 100" +.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Thanks everyone! I talked with Troy who I regularly use (Arthaus Custom Framing in Plano) and he quoted me anywhere from $265 to $498 depending on the frame. As Jeff mentioned already, matting is an issue so I'll have to check with Troy on a linen substitute. Good suggestion Jeff!

I don't know about the gallery wrap route. I don't know if the image quality would be as good printed on canvas as it would be on high-quality metallic photo paper.

- Wil

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by venchka

Buy a saw. Buy matt board. D.I.Y.

Pretty sure you need specialized cutters to get good results, I don't think a regular saw would work very well.

I don't know about the gallery wrap route. I don't know if the image quality would be as good printed on canvas as it would be on high-quality metallic photo paper.

Canvas has a heavy texture and tends to give a more painterly look to the image. This can obscure some of the details in highly detailed images; on the other hand when you're pushing print size beyond what the source image can really support, that added texture can help by hiding the lack of detail. It really just depends on the image and the look you're going for.

Canvas doesn't have the DMax or gamut of fiber-gloss photo papers, it's more like matte papers in that regard. So for images where matte paper would look good, canvas may be an option. For images where you want high detail reproduction or the gamut/DMax of a glossy photo paper, canvas can be disappointing.

One approach I like the look of for large photographic prints is a 'floating' mount such as this. A little less traditional, but I think it would go well with more modern decor and it _should_ be cheaper than a large frame. The trick would be finding someone local who can do it if you already have the print.

[toverman]

Finding a wall big enough would be an issue for me!

What is it an image of (if you don't mind me asking)?

[WarrenG]

Wil,

You might also think about Capstone & Monarch here is Dallas.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Warren,

It's of the Dallas Skyline at night:

Here's the image... well, a very small version of it... the actual size (without all the framing) is 22162 x 4136 pixels.



By the way, this is just an example... the framing will be different.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

- Wil

[Jake]

Nice image Wil!
I think that would look really cool on a floating mount like Jeff mentioned.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Jake,

Me too... but the largest floating mount I could find was 48". I think I would compromise slightly if I could find one that was 60" or so but I would really like one to be 6' in total width. And thank you for the kind comment!

- Wil

[Big Dog]

Try Frames Destination.

Picture Frames | Photography Frames | Mat Board | Photo Storage

I don't know how cheap or expensive they will be, but they are good.

[peeker]

What a great image. Wil, can you give us an idea of how you shot, stitched, and cleaned up that image? It's quite stunning.

[Bob2]

Wil,
I think Camera Stop in Plano can do that size. Call and talk with Stern or Thomas.

[tertius]

Might try R.W. Chang in Grand Prairie.