Trim? or not to trim? that is the question!

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Rozmataz

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
This has happened on several occassions... and I am always leary of how to handle.

I have a piece in the shop now that is an original acrylic done on a fairly heavy paper/material - with really wide margins. These margins are almost the same width (or larger)as the mats and in order to have room for the hinges I feel I need to trim. As well with the side dimensions... any rule of thumb on this - the mats will be covering the entire image area...

Thanx,

Roz
 
At the very least, I would explain the problem to your client then get written permission before doing anything. Better yet see if your client will agree to a wider mat border.

-Mike.
 
Since clients can always have a change of heart,
after someone tells them that the new smaller
margins that the framer provided have diminished
the value of their work, using a window that is
large enough to accommodate the work's original
size is always safest for you and the client.

Hugh
 
Here's a true story, Roz.

A customer came in a very long time ago with a signed graphic she bought at a closing sale at an area gallery. She specifically asked to have the margains trimmed to fit in a certain frame size. It was probably her frame. My employee did not get anything in writing. At that time, I probably wouldn't have, either.

When the customer came back to pick the work up, she was appalled that we had done exactly what she asked. She screamed and carried on and threatened to sue. Naturally, her husband is an attorney.

Suddenly, this close-out print became EXTREMELY valuable.* We ended up paying several hundred dollars for a new print (she had paid about $25.) The artist was "gracious" enough to take part of the sum in trade for some framing.

We kept the trimmed print. (We had paid dearly for it.) Eventually, I had to throw it out. Every time I saw it, it reminded me of that experience and it made me nauseous.

If the frame and mat aren't going to be big-enough to accomodate the paper, I won't frame it. Sometimes that means 7-8" mat borders, which are really rather striking.

*Edit: Before anyone gets after me for calling a $250 print EXTREMELY valuable, let me say that I was merely impressed with the 10x rate of appreciation in just under two weeks.

[ 05-21-2003, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Ron_Eggers ]
 
Roz,
I take it from your post that you are hinging the piece to the mats and not the backing, Correct?
If the Mats are the same size as the paper size you can use a pass through hinge instead and therefore not need extra space for the hinge. I agree that if any of the art extends past the edges of the mat you need to make the mats bigger. Is it possible to have the artist "Fix" the piece theirself? If not and the Customer does not want bigger mat borders, GET IT IN WRITING, NOTARIZED, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ATTORNEY, SIGNED IN BLOOD!!!!!! (and you'll still end up regretting it)
 
Uh Oh, I am getting a bit nervous here...

I think I will cheat on the frame and nudge it up just a bit &accomodate the paper size... phew.

I am so glad I have you'all - my guru support system!!!

Thanx, Roz
 
I've found, over the years, that if you have to ask the question, don't do it.

John
 
Originally posted by JRB:
I've found, over the years, that if you have to ask the question, don't do it.

John
Click to expand...
Or its corollary, If you ask whether it needs to be redone, redo it.
 
Or my favorite - "If you're tempted to say 'that's good enough' it probably isn't."

Back when mat borders were muuuuch smaller, I had so much trouble with the print ending up being bigger than the frame, that I actually made a sign to myself to "check borders!"

I have one right now that the customer wants trimmed. It would be huge, and muchly oversized if we don't, but still, I dread doing it.

Betty
 
I've always had a real problem with this. As long as the image is untouched and there is still plenty of paper for mounting why would trimming it detract from the value? Especially in the case of an original. It's the image that people are wanting to buy not the paper it's printed or painted on. Does it make any sense that if I trim an inch off a 6" border of a print that the value goes from $500 to worthless? Absolutely not! This is one that I think would be interesting to challenge in a court of law.
 
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