Hi Folks,
I have been invited to exhibit some prints at the college where I work, and I’m thinking about going with matted, but not framed (partially for financial reasons). I’m struggling to figure out the mat size, window size concept, and how to get the width of the mat the same on all four sides.
So, here’s the math problem: If I have a print that is 12x18 or 16x24, and what size is the mat to have a window the size of the print? At Bay Photo (my usual), I have seen 20x24 with a 12x18 window and 20x30 with a 16x24 window, but in the first, the short sides are wider and in the second the long sides are wider.
Am I trying to achieve a mathematical impossibility?
Is mat size all about framing ultimately? Is that what I’m not getting?
I can choose a mat size with a custom window size, but I don’t have the math skills to figure out what mat size would give me a window of 12x18 or 16x24 with a consistent border?
Would a 16x24 window on an 18x26 mat do it? But they dont sell an 18x26 mat.
I know. I know. It’s 3rd grade math, but I have some kind of blindspot on this one! And don’t worry: I teach English at the college, not math.
As for printing on gatorboard or metal or something instead, the “gallery” has lavender walls, and I want a black border around the black and white photographs. I’ve displayed my work in a pub where construction paper garlands of jack-o-lanterns accompanied my work so, you know, it could be worse!
1 & 2. Not a mathematical impossibility, but those mat (outer dimension) sizes are for typical frame sizes.
3 & 4. See below for a table of what sizes mats you’d need for various border widths. A 16x24 window on an 18x26 mat would do what you want, but you’re right, they don’t sell that size. You’d have to order wholly custom mats to get what you want.
Personal rant on this subject: Most of the precut mats in the stores are for antique aspect ratios like 11x14. They do have a few for the default 3x2 ratio, but not very many.
There might be an online source for custom mats that’s less expensive if you have time.
One thing to make sure of is that the opening in the mat is just slightly smaller than the dimensions of the print. I usually like to have a 1/4" overlap. I think that most pre-cut mats account for this but I’d make sure just in case.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank . I appreciate the tip. I found a couple of places online. I do have time, and I think I can manage the attachment and backing part myself. The key is probably printing with a border to ensure none of the image is behind the mat.
Thanks @Tom_Nevesely. I usually send things out for printing and matting, and I don’t know whether they add a border or whether I’m routinely losing a 1/4” without noticing. another I found note 11.5 x17.5 for 12x18 art work.
Do you print with a border when you do this or crop for some loss behind the mat?
ML
When I print, I leave a 0.5" white border on all sides of the print. If I’m going to cut the mat myself I leave the image crop as is and cut the mat to fit while making sure that the opening in the mat is 0.5" smaller than the print. This gives me a 0.25" overlap on all four side. If on the other hand if I’m using a pre-cut mat, I crop the image to the aspect ratio of the mat cutout (i.e. 8x10) and print it slightly larger than the hole in the mat.
For example if the mat has a opening of 7.5" x 9.5" I would crop the image to 8"x10" and also print it 8"x10". Also when cropping I do it so that I keep the most important part of the image meaning I don’t necessarily crop perfectly from the middle. I hope all that makes sense.
I had someone tell me to stick to standard ratios. I thought I could never do that, but eventually I got there. I was surprised that it took just a little crop lose to make it happen. It made my life so much easier to stick with standard. I used to sit and struggle with the math just as you described. Good luck!!!
Hi Barbara,
Yeah, I always use standard ratios (4x6 multiples, standard panos), but the mats don’t have outside dimensions that match those multiples. I found Redimat, and that’s going to work for me this time. Not as much cheaper than framing as I expected! And I won’t totally trust the border size on the print until I see it, so I’ll do careful measurement once the prints arrive and then order my mats.
So much to consider. I realize now why Bay Photo charges so much to do it all! Totally worth the money, when I have it
ML
I don’t do much in the way of mat and frame anymore. I moved to AZ. recently and they seem to only want a metal print, so that is what I am producing. So much easier. I haven’t tried them yet, but I took a course with Sean Bagshaw and he recommends Nevada Art Printers. Just another source to try.
I use HD Aluminum for my metal prints. I like their work and their system. I understand that you have already ordered your prints, but the attachment is another way to make a dark background work. Good luck on your project and your exhibit.
I had a friend show me this and I use it mostly for flowers, but it is a strong tool. The one I sent you is one where it works well. It gives more depth to the photo. It is part of the photo itself. You put a stroke around the image, about 3 or 4 pixels wide. Then you expand the canvas and fill it. It is cool because you can use a color from the photo to make the stroke and the expansion though I shoot in nothing but B&W so It is usually some shade of black depending on the shot itself. It is really helpful with metal prints that need a little extra like the one I sent, or if you are hanging with a wall that is not great for your work.
I hope that helps. If you have more questions, please let me know.
Thanks, everyone. I was able to cancel my prints and I’m going metal with a black border. This has been very helpful. I really appreciate all of the tips, and now I have a bunch more bookmarks And HD Aluminum is a half hour away, so I’m going to give them a shot. I like the idea of picking it up and saving on packaging and shipping.
ML
And HD Aluminum is a half hour away, so I’m going to give them a shot. I like the idea of picking it up and saving on packaging and shipping.