I scrolled through the topics and couldn’t see anything answering my question, so sorry if I have over looked it.
Basically, I was wondering whether people sell prints framed or not?
Obviously framing them adds an additional cost to the buyer, and they may not like the frame it comes in.
Personally, I always prefer to buy artwork unframed therefore I can choose the frame myself.
I get everything I make framed by a professional framer, he does me a good deal as I have known him for years, but that still means for say an A4 lino print being mounted and framed I am adding additional £15 (approx) to the print…and obviously that price goes up depending on the size of the frame.
I don’t really want to go ahead and get everything framed as that’s an expensive initial outlay, but if I wait until someone buys a print framed then I have to wait a week to get it from my framer.
What do people think? Do I frame my prints? Or just offer them on an unframed basis?
I sell felted pictures but sell them mounted but unframed. I think frames are such a personal choice and not only add to the cost of purchase but also risk breakage in the post. If I’m taking them to craft fairs then I usually put them in a relatively cheap off the shelf frame as I think a frame definitely makes the item look better. I think it would be fine to offer it as an option for additional cost and as long as you make it clear in the listing that it will take additional time as well as cost then thats fine.
I’ve bought a lot of art and much prefer to buy it unframed, partly because of the cost and partly because I prefer to choose my own frame. I can get standard frames which I like and are well made very cheaply at a local market. Other people will have their own preferences. You could offer to frame your prints for an additional cost if a buyer wants it?
I sell mine mounted but not framed. Firstly, it makes postage so much easier and I don’t have to worry about them getting damaged, and secondly, as @Rozcraftz and @Louisa15 say, you can’t judge where someone is going to want to hang it.
Obviously when I exhibit, I have to have them framed. Then I try to pick a neutral frame and mount. I did start off picking ‘my’ perfect frame, but realised that might actually put people off (‘I like that zebra, but that pink frame won’t go with my wallpaper’!).
I’d go for selling them mounted. Have pictures in your sales info of them mounted and framed but state it comes mounted, this then gives buyers an idea of what it will look like framed. You can then sell frames in your shop that fit, people can then buy them if they want to. Not everyone wants to go hunting for a frame and some people like to buy exactly what they see.
I think choice is always a good thing, some buyers are looking for one thing, some for another. Since you are doing limited run prints you could always get one of the run framed and have 2 listings, one framed, one unframed.
If your prints are standard sizes it would make it much easier for you to have a couple of frames made up that you can pop the print into as required.
I buy pre-cut mounts from Hobbycraft (other sellers may be available! Actually, I’d be interested for recommendations). They come in standard sizes so it’s easy for someone to find a readymade frame to fit, and what’s almost as important for me, also come in a handy resealable cello bag, which protects the work once it’s mounted.
Yes indeed, I do like the artwork to come in a resealable cello bag. I can’t frame everything I buy so this keeps the ones not currently displayed clean and neat.
I sell some of my art mounted and some unmounted and very occasionally framed.
I buy my mounts already cut, some are from local retailer store and basic sizes and some I have cut to fit for my requirements from a professional framing / mount company.
I think it’s good to offer all the options, my latest two sales here this week were advertised and for sale just as the picture but the buyer has purchased them from me mounted now so I am always happy to accommodate requests.
I often display my pieces in different formats, it may not come framed but one of my pictures might show how it looks framed so giving the customer an idea of how it could look, likewise smaller pieces I show on mini easels, again showing how they could look in situ
Thank you for all your responses folks. In general it’s pretty much what I was thinking, but it’s always helpful to get other people’s thoughts even just to make sure you’re thinking the same thing.
You have given me some ideas too so thank you.
Sorry for late reply as well- it’s much more time consuming to get on here/reply when there is no App. :-/
I offer prints and mounted prints on my website. I don’t ever send framed prints by post because damage is very high risk with glass. It is possible to purchase acrylic ‘glass’ but never looks the same. I offer to arrange frames with a local framing company that I have agreed rates with. Generally, I only provide frames to direct purchasers at craft fairs, friends, etc, when I can deliver them myself by hand and avoid the hassle of breakages. I ordered last year some big glazed frames for a client and after two arrived smashed to bits, I went and acquired them myself. Even the big frame supply firms don’t know how to package frames.
Thanks for your reply. That’s a fair point on the delivery of a glass frame. I think I will just provide mounted prints as standard, and if/when I do craft fairs then provide some already framed.
My local friend/framer is making the mounts for me, so that’s helped sort that issue.
Thanks for all your advice. It’s very helpful and much appreciated!
