Selling framed/matted prints?

[photoguy6405]

I see some who do this and some who do not. Just curious more than anything at this point, but I'm wondering what some thoughts are on what the pros or cons might be.

[webejamn]

i do it some.. i know the first con is that i have 1500 dollars worth of framed prints,,, and no buyers right now.. alot of times they sit on consignment, but i have alot of art on my walls...

[Hikin Mike]

When I go to Arts and Craft shows, I only sell matted prints and matted/framed prints. I do sell blank note cards too.

[sapearl]

Hi Photoguy - you might want to check out a thread I started a couple of weeks ago:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=431055

I'm all for matting and framing nicely done prints. The question is how many and how often. Anything that I'm really pleased with I'll print on 13x19 stock, one print for a portfolio book that's easy to leaf threw and display to people, and a second print that I keep boxed against the day that I may want to mat and frame it. These are the portfolio books I use:

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=2211&subclassID=221111&brandname=&item=98015

They keep the prints protected and flat and make for easy presentation. At this point I don't frame a lot. I don't have anything on consignment yet but will "finish" select pieces a couple of times a year when I submit to shows or competitions.

[Stime187]

Matted/signed/packaged (clear sleeves) prints sell much better than framed in my experience. My most popular size is 12x18 matted to 18x24.

[sapearl]

I partially agree - I believe you'll sell a greater volume of prints in that fashion at decent pricing, but a smaller amount of matted, framed and glassed prints can get higher individual prices. Which is the better way to go in the long run? I'm trying to figure that out myself ;).

Stime, do you sell yours as Limited Editions or Open Editions?

Matted/signed/packaged (clear sleeves) prints sell much better than framed in my experience. My most popular size is 12x18 matted to 18x24.

[Stime187]

Stime, do you sell yours as Limited Editions or Open Editions?

I sell them all as Open Editions. I don't want to limit my business and personally, I don't think Limited Editions garner any more money for me at this point than Open.

[BradM]

In my experience it really depends on how you are selling the prints, in any kind of street fair/art show or gallery more matted prints will sell than unmounted prints. In these kinds of venues many of these purchases are almost an impulse buy.

And having the customer pause to consider if I buy this print, do I want to find a mat and frame, and how do I put all that together? You don't want to have anything interrupt that initial impulse like rational thought. On the other hand if it is in an easily available frame size the customer is more easily "pushed over the edge" to open the wallet or purse.

This is the same for framed prints albeit with a higher price tag, the customer can immediately hang the image on returning to home, there is no additional purchase or work involved. Any hesitantcy is usually involved with frame/mat color or style, having a selection of those on hand can make the sale easier.

Out of the studio I find more people will buy more unmounted prints in larger sizes than they will of matted or framed prints but I believe this to be the case that these are more often for family members than for themselves

[Picture North Carolina]

In my experience it really depends on how you are selling the prints, in any kind of street fair/art show or gallery more matted prints will sell than unmounted prints. In these kinds of venues many of these purchases are almost an impulse buy.

And having the customer pause to consider if I buy this print, do I want to find a mat and frame, and how do I put all that together? You don't want to have anything interrupt that initial impulse like rational thought. On the other hand if it is in an easily available frame size the customer is more easily "pushed over the edge" to open the wallet or purse.

This is the same for framed prints albeit with a higher price tag, the customer can immediately hang the image on returning to home, there is no additional purchase or work involved. Any hesitantcy is usually involved with frame/mat color or style, having a selection of those on hand can make the sale easier.

Out of the studio I find more people will buy more unmounted prints in larger sizes than they will of matted or framed prints but I believe this to be the case that these are more often for family members than for themselves

Very good info. Thanks for taking the time to post. Any other exhibition hints are welcome.

Question: on the subject of matte color, somebody told me that if you don't offer a choice, always matte with white, no matter the picture. Would you agree with that? /Dan

[sapearl]

I will completely agree with that CannedHeat. White goes with just about everything. I might consider a light gray, but only if I couldn't get white.

Just about every photo contest or exhibit I've entered recommends or requires white. And from a sales standpoint, prospective customers will actually (gasp :mad: ) NOT buy a print if the mat color clashes with their decor. Best to choose something neutral.

.....Question: on the subject of matte color, somebody told me that if you don't offer a choice, always matte with white, no matter the picture. Would you agree with that? /Dan

[JonathanSQ]

Alot of the photographers @ the local craft & fine arts shows, at least here,
often have a majority (usually I'd guess around 70%) simply matted.
Usually offering white or black and having to "custom order" for other colors.

Then of course a small selection of their "best" in large sizes already framed.
For frames they tend to be simple but elegant slim black or silver frames.
Again with either black or white matting and no other choices on hand...

[BradM]

White works well for a standard though I am using an off white towards beige color, very neutral but doesn't show handling/prep marks as easily, blends well with most images and almost every decor.

[Stime187]

Question: on the subject of matte color, somebody told me that if you don't offer a choice, always matte with white, no matter the picture. Would you agree with that? /Dan

I always mat with white to a standard frame size.

[sapearl]

Off white and light beige is also an excellent choice Brad - agreed. And as Jonathan pointed out you can't go wrong with a simple but elegant black frame. Either the Nielson self-assembly frames are good or black wood frames from a supply house.

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=1810&subclassID=181011&brandname=&item=60017

I've gone to several gallery shows in the past year featuring local photographers and most of the work was matted in light colored board with thin black frames. Local craft festivals will feature artists displaying their work in this manner, with photographers having their matted/unframed works protected in Krystal Seal sleeves and displayed in "bins".

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_search.cfm?Status=1&Keywords=sleeves

These are nice because as Stime pointed out they keep the art clean and somewhat protected until there's the need for a frame.

White works well for a standard though I am using an off white towards beige color, very neutral but doesn't show handling/prep marks as easily, blends well with most images and almost every decor.

[Stime187]

Yeah, as Stuart said, I absolutely put everything I mat/sign for sale in a protective sleeve with a sticky strip to seal it. Just makes the whole thing look MUCH more professional and protects it.

Also, anytime I have a gallery exhibition or need to show some work, I use a white mat and simple black frame, regardless of the image.

[photoguy6405]

How about when selling via a website? I've seen a few that will say they sell only "matted -color of my choice...", so the customer doesn't really have much opportunity to see what it will look like. Based on what seems to be standard thought here, I'm guessing that white may be their standard, also.

[Stime187]

I sell the vast majority of my prints via my website with a good portion of them matted. No one has ever ordered anything other than my "standard".

As quoted from my website:
http://lightofthewild.smugmug.com/gallery/3179674

MATTING:

I highly recommend letting me mat and sign your photographs for you. Since these images are my passion, I guarantee more care will go into the finished product than the standard framing store. Why go through the hassle? If you choose the matting option, they'll be ready for framing when you receive them. I typically mat to the next "standard" size (i.e. 12x18 to 18x24) with a white mat and my signature on the mat itself just below the bottom right corner of the photograph. I also "seal" the finished piece with a protective clear sleeve.

- Scott

[JonathanSQ]

Off white and light beige is also an excellent choice Brad - agreed. And as Jonathan pointed out you can't go wrong with a simple but elegant black frame. Either the Nielson self-assembly frames are good or black wood frames from a supply house.

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=1810&subclassID=181011&brandname=&item=60017

I've gone to several gallery shows in the past year featuring local photographers and most of the work was matted in light colored board with thin black frames. Local craft festivals will feature artists displaying their work in this manner, with photographers having their matted/unframed works protected in Krystal Seal sleeves and displayed in "bins".

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_search.cfm?Status=1&Keywords=sleeves

These are nice because as Stime pointed out they keep the art clean and somewhat protected until there's the need for a frame.

The photographers here usually have displays setup in a tent.
Large "best" stuff already matted/framed and on display hung.
From there their middle of the road stuff is matted/sleeved/signed
and on various display types (stands etc) and then the small 5x7 or 8x10
stuff that is "cheap" is in bins that people can go through.

One guy had all his stuff named (little tag on it) so if people liked a large
framed print but wanted a cheaper/smaller version, they just go to the
bin and he had it alphabetically organized with foam board dividers that
had the name above it. Inside where various smaller/cheaper sizes for that print.

It is a good idea so figured I'd pass it on ;)