Can someone help with mat sizing for clearbag purchase.

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Dan Berg

Dan Berg

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Posts
172
Loc
Mohnton,Pa.
My main business is canvas wraps but I recently purchased a Speed mat cutter and will be printing several dozen prints ,matting them (no frames) to put in a print rack to sell. I have 4 size papers I am sticking with. 8 1/2 X 11 - 13 X 19 - 17 X 22 and 24 X 30. I have ordered the clear bag sizes for these 4 size prints. I now want to make mats for these 4 size papers and then order the clearbags for those 4 sizes with mats.
Since I am not a framer can someone who does alot of this respond with the mat sizes you would cut for each. I am sure you regulars might know off the tip of your tounge what size you would cut these too. I guess the final question would be what size border to leave around each print so that I can do 4 print sizes and cut 4 mat sizes and they will always be the same.Thanks in advance for your help.

Dan Berg
www.bergscanvasgallery.com
 
First thing is, forget completely about readymade frame sizes. Forget about them. Otherwise, you will be selling mats with side borders of 1.25 inches, and top and bottom borders of 1.75 borders, and it will look terrible. And you will deprive a framer of a frame sale.

So cut each mat with at least a 3-inch border, and consider going wider than that to 4 inches, or bottom weighting as well. That way, your matted prints are unlikely to fit a readymade, and you will make a framer very happy. We will be grateful to you for your thoughtfulness.
 
Dan, Paul's advice of using at least a three inch mat is sound. On the larger sizes I would go even wider.

A framer could always trim down the mat a little for framing in case the mats get dinged which will happen quite often.

I may be crucified for this, but you may want to reconsider your sizes.
None of your sizes mat easily to ready made sizes. Most of your customers won't think of this when they purchase and as a framer I agree that it would benefit custom framers. However it may make it harder to sell the prints if they have to be custom framed.
 
Dave,
Thanks for your response. Do you have any suggestions? Those are the sizes of single sheet fine art paper that are available. The only one I am missing is the 11 X 17 and I only wanted to offer four sizes.
The only option would be to resize the images and cut the paper down but not sure I want to do that.

Dan Berg
www.bergscanvasgallery.com
 
Dave said:
However it may make it harder to sell the prints if they have to be custom framed.
Click to expand...

Even though I'm a custom framer I agree with this sentiment :) As long as the mat borders are *reasonably* consistent all the way around (or perhaps use bottom weighting to make up the difference if you can) then I'd recommend matting the work out to a standard size. This gives the customer the option of either sticking the piece in a readymade or getting it custom framed (and if they do the latter they may very well replace the mat anyway, at which point it can be sized as desired).
 
Well ... the purist in me says size the paper for the art and forget about standard sizes. Maybe it's a compromise that shouldn't be made.

If you do go to standard sizes (frame size) the most common would be:

8X10
8 1/2X11
9X12
11X14
12X16
14X18
16X20
18X24
20X24
22X28
24X30
24X36
24X48
30X40
 
I guess I was thinking of custom framing from the start for everything. NotsureI would put an expensive fine art print with a museum mat in a black plastic frame. We do not call it custom framing here. We take everything to the framer and have him put our choice of frame to fit the photo. I guess thats what you call custom framing.The only time I purchase frames off a rack are for my cabinetry shop photos or point and shoot photos.
 
You can still print on those paper sizes, just reduce the size of the image and allow more white unprinted paper. That also makes it easier for a framer to hinge the piece. If you go with matting that fits into a readymade frame, don't atg or glue the mat down. That will make it easier for your customer to opt to have the mats replaced with their own choices. Also sign the art if you wish but not the mat. Customer often come in with signed mats that are dirty or just don't do anything for the art and they think they just have to keep it because it is signed.
 
Dan ... I finally went to your website and looked at your images. You have some beautiful stuff there! :thumbsup:

Having seen your images I wouldn't crop anything just to go to a standard size. Keep the integrity of your work.

J Paul's advise on how to treat the image within the mat is sound.
 
Dan Berg said:
I think I said I need mat sizes so I can buy the right clearbag to fit the matted photo. I only found the bag sizes for photos only and I already know that info . Can you steer me to what you were trying to explain? I like the 3" on all four sides or even more.
Thanks
Dan Berg
www.bergscanvasgallery.com
Click to expand...

Ahhhh, I understand now.

You've been given great advice!

AND, I too enjoyed looking at your gallery - lovely work, indeed.
 
Dave said:
Dan, Paul's advice of using at least a three inch mat is sound. On the larger sizes I would go even wider.

A framer could always trim down the mat a little for framing in case the mats get dinged which will happen quite often.

I may be crucified for this, but you may want to reconsider your sizes.
None of your sizes mat easily to ready made sizes. Most of your customers won't think of this when they purchase and as a framer I agree that it would benefit custom framers. However it may make it harder to sell the prints if they have to be custom framed.
Click to expand...
Better you step out first,and take that bullet! I was gonna say that. Yes! Custon sizes look GREAT,and help the framers......But.......It can hurt a print sale.Most customers want a standard size.I work in reverse..Create a nice balanced mat that has a standard outer size(ex 16x20)....but has a crazy opening size,say 51/2x71/2(for my 6x8,matted to 8x10 post cards).I just print the art full strange size,and go from there. L.(BTW the 16x20 opening size? 10x14...3" border)
 
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