Inexpensive framing solutions?

[FlipsidE]

I have a couple of shots I would love to get printed, framed, and up on my wall. I am a member of mpix.com, so printing is not a problem. And, while their framing costs may be reasonable, they are a bit more money that I want to spend. $2 for an 8x10 print, but $25 for it to be printed and framed. $25 for a 20x30 print, but $100 for it to be printed and framed.

Does anyone have any less expensive framing options. I know I can buy frames from places like Wal-Mart for the 8x10's. And, for the 20x30's, I could probably just use a poster frame. But, i'm curious if anyone has any more suggestions.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Barb42]

In years past when money was short, I would hit garage sales, antique or thrift stores for bad prints with decent frames. A bit of stain or spray paint and you have a great new frame. I also hit places like Target which have really nice frames for good prices. Craft stores have frames at good prices too, if you take the time to search. Look for sales at art supply stores. Its about thinking creatively - just ask the women in your life. They know where all the bargains are hidden.

[mblanton]

I met a photographer who made his own frames out of salvaged lumber (scraps of wood). Some of them were really cool.

Mike

[D Boone]

I bought a couple neat "floating" frames at a craft store called AC Moore... Pretty nice 11x14 for 12 dollars or so....

[FlipsidE]

floating?

FlipsidE

[robertwgross]

Remember that you have to get matting in there with a print and a frame.

---Bob Gross---

[D Boone]

Floating... Sandwhiching your photo between two pieces of glass with a frame around them. I like this and you can buy a frame bigger than your photo so that the wall and shadows behind the photo kind of matt the photo. Works best with a borderless photo, and I just did this with a picture of my wife and her father where her father had written on the back of it. Now she can just take it off the wall and flip it around to read it. I like it, think its cool... but its defintly a modern look.

[billsh]

I've tried several options, but the two I use the most are:
1- Frameless mounts. ( a piece of glass and backing you hang on the wall . About $10 at the craft store. I buy at Hobby Lobby.
2- Generic black frames and precut mats for 8X10. ( this costs less than $15 including glass. )

I have used custom frames, but find they sometimes detract from the photo. I want to focus on the photo not the framing and matting. It's very irritating when someone looks at one of my photos and says " I love that one. Where did you get it framed?"

Just my 2 centavos.

[dsze]

I've spent lots of money at pictureframes.com. Check them out...for descent frames they are pretty reasonable. Frames aren't cheap.

-daniel

[ray mackie]

starving art student solutions:
1. A piece of glass and matt board to fit. Buy box of small, like one inch wide, spring steel paper clips, u know, the ones with the two clip in handles...called bull dog clips, I think. One on each side, and flip out the handles on the bottom three. Use one handle on the top to hang, and remove the other. The handles just spring out when compressed, and u only see a small clamp edge on the front. Looks pretty hip too.

2. Buy shrink wrap for windows....comes in rolls, or one window packs. Wrap pic on matt board backing, and use blow dryer to shrink. Least aesthetic solution.

3. For small photos, clear cd cases work great. Mount pic on cut to size matt board, and insert. Use adhesive pic hook on back, or use small plate stand for mantle type display.