How wide of a matte?

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simplymatted

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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If I am framing up a picture that measures about 16X18, how wide of a matte should I use for signatures for a group of 400 to 500? Any ideas would be great, Thankyou
 
based on 1/2" x 2" signature.... that is 1 sq inch, you need a mat of 400-500 sq inches plus the size of the image (16x18) that is 770 sq inches.

28x30 = 840 sq inches

Personally I would think of something closer to 32 x 40. People like to write a bit more than just a signature.
 
22x28 would probably be the size I would recommend. Is this for a wedding? Will there be a lot of couples that will be signing John and Jane Doe? Will there be children signing. This will play into how I calculate the size.
 
I would recommend masking off about 1/2-inch all the way around to allow for the frame to overlap without covering the signatures.

Provide pens too. If you use Sharpies, signatures will be bigger and smearing may occur.
 
Craig, you can also do a search on the Grumble for this topic as it has been discussed in depth many times before.

Staple the mat into the frame without glass for the event and the signing - that way folks cannot sign the edge!

Cover the photo with Mylar or even a whole sheet of glass so no one signs or ruins the photo with ink, drink or grease.

Tell them to have an "attendant" stationed by the signing board to prevent Uncle Harry with his gold ball-point pen - the ink will fade over time. Also have one or two trusted folk sign first to "prime the pump."

Use Gel pens - they come in many colors, dry rapidly, do not fade, are archival and can be bought almost anywhere (especially if you favor black).

Remember indeed that if 500 guests are invited that that will mean over 200 couples (one signature - Joe and Mary Smith) and if children are allowed really little ones probably won't sign or be allowed to sign (Joe and Mary Smith and family).
 
Framar said:
Tell them to have an "attendant" stationed by the signing board to prevent .......[/QUOTE] and other mishaps!

Just had one get ruined a few weeks ago for a graduation party when some knucklehead sat their drink on top of the mat. You can imagine what happened. (Kind of like that Cranberry juice commercial where the younger spokesman standing in the bog, spills the juice on the girls white erase board and tells her, that Wednesday just opened up)
Click to expand...
 
At least in the future everyone can laugh at the knucklehead's drink stain on the grad mat - a little less serious than a "wedding mat."

(Don't know why everyone is so dog-gone set on solemnity at weddings considering their track record of longevity - I am sure our rag mats and gel pen signatures will outlast most nuptials!).
 
I like to insert the glass between the mounted photo and the mat and fit it into the frame. Protects the photo and insures the signatures won't be covered by the rabbit.
 
So you don't have to worry about the pic, I usually price a second pic into the framing. Alot of time they want a pic from the event anyways!! Someone standing there is a great way to stop the dunderheads from placing their beverage on the mat!

Tom
 
you should suggest they have 2 photos matted for people to sign if they are really going to have 400-500 people there.

As your original post had said 16x18... Candy posted that a size of 22x28 would be good. Candy, have you ever actually done one of these?
The minimum I would put around any photo is 5" and that isn't figuring on 400-500 people.

I had one wedding where the photos were only 8x10 and the overall size was 20x30 with the mat bottom weighted and there were 2 photos each in their own mat and when they came back for the frame and glass, both mats were full and nowhere near 400-500 people.

Just for your info in case you haven't actually done one yet.. leave LOTS of room.:shutup:
 
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