Alternatives to frames for small show

[chacabuco]

I've been asked to hang several prints for a show this spring and the space has really no budget for framing. Looking for suggestions for cheap ways to display prints that look better than tacking the prints to the wall. Mounting to sintra with a brace is an option, but still rather pricey. The prints will be 20x24 and 30x40. Any suggestions appreciated

Thanks
Rob

[vinny]

mat them, put up rails to rest them on. or mat them and get those pins to put on all four corners, I've seen it done plenty of times.

[Ed Richards]

Would you use these to support the matted print alone, or would it need to have glass over it as well for stability?

[bob carnie]

I would recommend a plan to put your best foot forward every time you have an opportunity to show your work.

Good quality frames will compliment your work.

[sully75]

big border on the prints, push pins. Looks fine to me.

Fishing line strung across the wall, binder clips. Also looks fine.

[Richard Wasserman]

I would recommend a plan to put your best foot forward every time you have an opportunity to show your work.

Good quality frames will compliment your work.

+1

[photobymike]

I go to clearbags.com (http://www.clearbags.com) and get sealable bags with heavy plastic hanging tabs attachments http://www.clearbags.com/acc/hang-tabs

[drew.saunders]

Ikea makes some cheap ~$23 frames that are close to the size you need:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/18537/

[false_Aesthetic]

What kind of prints?

I'm a huge fan of mounting to sintra adding a laminate on the top and then floating the image off the wall 1-3". Last time I did this I had 15 - 24x30" images mounted on sintra for under $600 and then I made the backs myself. The place that did the mounting was Modern Reproductions in Pittsburgh. I dunno if they're still around but its worth a google.

[chacabuco]

Thanks for the all the input. If I could afford to frame, I would, just not feasible in this case.

I just had 3 30x40s mounted, laminated and had a brace put on them for another show and it ran me close to $600, so that's a great price for the 15 prints. I'll look into the clips option.

Thanks.

[ROL]

I just had 3 30x40s mounted, laminated and had a brace put on them for another show and it ran me close to $600, so that's a great price for the 15 prints.

Indeed. Now you know why there are so many framing shops around. It is very lucrative. Which is one very important reason I encourage "amateurs" to mount and frame their own work, by example (http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/pages/Fine%20Art%20Print%20Presentation).

[DrTang]

staple them up..or tape them up with duct tape

I'm over the whole matting and mounting and framing thing.. talk abount money down the drain

staple them up hap-hazzardly - make it a style!

[Mike Anderson]

For an industrial look, get pieces of galvanized sheet metal and attach the prints to those with magnets. Reusable.

[Jim Michael]

Tenter hooks (http://www.kilianhardware.com/tenterhooks1.html) holding glass to wall with matted print behind is another option, but I think by the time you have the glass and mat you're pretty close to price of a simple black frame. We attended a show a couple of years ago in which one of the photographers put his work in homemade frames made from scrap wood. Very nice presentation. His stuff was pretty big too, like maybe 40" square or so.

[J. Fada]

The cheapest way would be to dry mount them to foam core and then use Swiss Clips without an over mat. Leaving off the over mat would keep the weight down too. Foam core is pretty inexpensive. It would probably be best to trim off any paper around the image before you mount it. You might want to consider using a color besides white for the foam core as well.

[tautatis]

I would try Ikea first.reasonably priced frames, wide choice of sizes, and styles.

[bob carnie]

Yes its only wall paper anyway... I would use elmers glue and the cheapest wall varnish from Home Depot I can find.

You are joking right?

staple them up..or tape them up with duct tape

I'm over the whole matting and mounting and framing thing.. talk abount money down the drain

staple them up hap-hazzardly - make it a style!

[jnantz]

get them box mounted at printmount.
they work with large pieces and small
and their prices are very reasonable.

[Worker 11811]

Matte the prints, cut a sheet of clear glass to the size of the matte then use tenterhooks, pounded directly into the wall to support the "sandwich" on all four corners.

Assuming your gallery's walls are covered in homasote or cork board.

Tenterhooks (AKA: "L-pins") are cheap. 10¢ apiece from this site: http://www.kilianhardware.com/tenterhooks.html

[sully75]

Fine matting enhances an image and directs attention to it. It shows the image at its best.
Why would anyone advocate display methods that don't show their work at its best?

I won't dispute some show their work in shoddy ways, they know what their work is worth.

I have nothing against nice frames.

Personally I think some people overvalue their work, and their framing reflects their insecurity.

Anyone can buy a nice frame. Few take pictures that I care about.

Put another way: I'd rather see a Sudek print thumbtacked to a wall than a Ken Rockwell in an archival frame.