Framing a Poster.

Royal

I was recently at PAX East 2014, and while there I got the awesome Tabletop Poster, which I promptly had Mike and Jerry sign, it's awesome but the edges got a bit banged up, to hide this and prevent further damage during display I'd like to frame the piece. Something with a smidgen of overhang on the edge so it does not interrupt the artwork but provides cover for the light damage. I need a little help selecting a frame because I've never done such a thing and would really like to avoid going to some custom frame spot and get something that is nice but not over the top... Any help would be appreciated!

Edit: Things that could help - Poster Link

MegaMan001

A little known fact about megaman001, I was actually a professional picture framer while in nursing school.

So, this is what I'd tell you to do, google / yelp a local picture framer and give them a call and ask for what we called a "Poster Special", tell them you are looking for a metal frame, basic glass, a simple black mat (to cover up whatever damage you mentioned) and a dry mounting of the poster itself.

For a 24 x 17 I'd ballpark it around $75 and it'll look great forever.

Wassermelone

No offense to MegaMan here, but I would strongly recommend against a black matte. Unless you really know what you are doing with color and contrast I would refrain from using anything other than a white matte. A white matte is going to look fantastic in 99.999% of cases. Theres a reason galleries frame art in white mattes. It looks good.

As for frames, I tend to be a bit minimalist. Everything I have framed is in a simple, wide black or dark coffee stained frame. Stay away from anything too crazy - bright colors, highly reflective. You want what you are framing to speak, not the frame.

Aldo

There are cheaper options. I got most of my frames from IKEA for like 15$ each. For irregular sized stuff I scoured thrift stores and for one large map I went to an art supply store that had more sizes available.

RE: the light damage. How bad would it look when the edges are pressed completely flat? I have a dew that have ugly corners, but when pressed flat it looks just fine. Most frames cover a tiny strip of the edge, but there are plenty of options for ones that cover a larger area.

kaliyama

I second megaman's advice.

Yes, you can just buy a frame, but a professional cutting the mat and handles the frame will give you the opportunity to preserve your poster, hide existing damage and not damage it through mounting.

MegaMan001

Well, the color of mat really isn't written in stone, I was just suggesting what is usually the cheapest combination of options (plain glass, black metal, black mat).

I'd just also say custom framing is the way to go to really preserve the piece, especially with the signatures. That's what I did with my signed poster, anyway.

Royal

Some great input here folks! I was thinking that I'd want to avoid an over $50 cost but then I decided I could make it something special and cut in our badges the first years and the ones from this year (which are signed as well.) I feel like this will let me go a little larger have the matte and really enjoy the piece so I could spend a bit more for it. Thanks guys I'll be finding a local framer soon!

Darkewolfe

I just wanted to add that I didn't do it and you can't make it stick.

(And a bunch of ikea frames come with the right kind of frame to do this sort of thing yourself).

NotYou

Royal wrote: »

Some great input here folks! I was thinking that I'd want to avoid an over $50 cost but then I decided I could make it something special and cut in our badges the first years and the ones from this year (which are signed as well.) I feel like this will let me go a little larger have the matte and really enjoy the piece so I could spend a bit more for it. Thanks guys I'll be finding a local framer soon!

You're not gonna get under 50 if you take it somewhere to get custom framed and matted.

Do you have an aaron brothers near you? They're usually cheap, especially when there's a sale on. Plus, posters are usually standard sizes so they'll have just the right sized frame for you.

Royal

NotYou wrote: »

Royal wrote: »

Some great input here folks! I was thinking that I'd want to avoid an over $50 cost but then I decided I could make it something special and cut in our badges the first years and the ones from this year (which are signed as well.) I feel like this will let me go a little larger have the matte and really enjoy the piece so I could spend a bit more for it. Thanks guys I'll be finding a local framer soon!

You're not gonna get under 50 if you take it somewhere to get custom framed and matted.

Do you have an aaron brothers near you? They're usually cheap, especially when there's a sale on. Plus, posters are usually standard sizes so they'll have just the right sized frame for you.

Oh sorry I meant that I was, it seemed appropriate value, but with the newest ideas and the input from here it seemed like a fever dream. And in reality my biggest concern is properly displaying the awesomeness.

I've been out to get some quotes, when it's all done I try to get a picture up here!