Deckling? Pricing?

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jim_p

jim_p

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Apr 8, 2007
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Natick, MA
We do digital printing on a variety of media, including watercolor paper. Recently we had a customer ask if we could deckle the edges of a watercolor print for float-mounting. We can do deckling using the wet-the-paper technique, but we've never offered it as a service.

So, for those shops that do printing: (1) Do you offer deckling as an option, and (2) how do you price it?

Thanks!
 
I deckle and I don't usually charge for it. I just ... rip the paper. I have thought about getting this. Actually never thought to charge. I might start, lol. But I would charge like $5-10 unless the piece was big.

I had a sample up on the wall of one of my photos decked and float mounted. The wall decided it wanted to be a waterfall and I haven't put the sample back together (just lost the suede mat and backing board).
 
Just use a good clean straightedge. Lightly mark, score and tear.
Only recommended for images that you can reprint.
 
Tear the edge against a fresh cut piece of glass. Different papers tear ..um...differently, and even the direction can make a difference. the paper can be torn up against the edge of the glass, or down to achieve varied effects. One printmaker showed me how to "nibble" the paper with your thumbnail against the glass to get a rougher edge.
Google "deckle edge". The term deckling is a misnomer. What you are doing is tearing the edge to achieve a faux-deckle appearance. I'm probably the only one that cares.
 
I don't think anyone was asking what deckling is.

So, for those shops that do printing: (1) Do you offer deckling as an option, and (2) how do you price it?
Click to expand...

I'm interest to see if others charge for it, too. The thought never occurred to me.
 
my POS is set up as $0.75 UI for deckle edge
 
Makes me think of my trip to Egypt. Taken to the papyrus 'museum' where we could purchase souvenirs. One of our party asked if image A came with the edge shown on image B. The 'museum director' took out a fork and scraped the edges. Poof! There ya go!
 
If you want to make authentic-looking deckled edges, you can buy the tools, or you can make a good tool for the purpose by using a couple of different metal files to make deep, randomly-shaped gouges in the edge of a ruler, preferebly a metal one. Tear the paper over the roughed-up edge of that ruler, and voila! Deckled edges.

Charge for that service? Sure. Just be sure to do it in the back room where the customer can't watch, make a lot of noise in the process, and take plenty of time to complete that highly-technical feat of artistic framing talent. :icon11:
 
Heckle-and-Jeckle_14564563-1-.jpg
 
I have made my own tool out of a 4' strip scrap acrylic. I used my bench grinder and holding the acrylic as a steep angle I randomly jabbed it into the grinder creating a jagged beveled edge. The whole thing took less then 5 minutes.

Now to answer your question, I just charge a little bit more for the printing because of the extra paper, but I don't charge for the torn edge.
 
A 'Deckle' is the wooden frame used to make hand-made paper.

If you want an edge to look really authentic, make a wet line and tear. Then get an agate and run it along the edge (after it has dried). This will flatten the texture and simulate the crimping effect of the deckle.
 
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