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Framing autographs on a budget

Hi everyone,

I have a couple signed posters I wish to get framed and perhaps matted. I want to know your go-to stores and/or techniques/recommendations when getting an item framed on a tight budget, while protecting the integrity of the signature.

My posters are 30in x 20in and 15in x 20in. What can I expect in price for these sizes using your recommendation?

Thanks in advance for your insight.

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Permalink Reply by Robin Banks on August 30, 2015 at 4:23pm

On a budget, find a Michael's in your area. Michael's is an art supply/frame store.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 30, 2015 at 5:35pm

I avoid posters because they're difficult to frame correctly + cheaply. Some lesser framers will tell you to dry mount it, which essentially means gluing it down - i.e. basically destroying your poster (though it will still look good). I only recommend Michael's and Hobby Lobby if you're framing for cosmetic effect and ultimately don't care all that much about preservation. I've only used Michael's once, and they did a miserable, miserable job. Hobby Lobby tends to look nice, but upon removing a couple of the items later for reframing saw some really shoddy work (i.e. photos taped to the matte). Problem with franchises is that you ultimately don't know who's framing it, how they've been trained, etc. You might get someone careful and competent . . . or not.

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Permalink Reply by Null on August 30, 2015 at 6:56pm

Get the frame at Michaels with a 40% off coupon, then get your own matte cut at Hobby Lobby with their 40% off coupon and you can stay at $35 or less. I do all of my own framing, it's 10x cheaper and not that hard.

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Permalink Reply by Robin Banks on August 30, 2015 at 6:59pm

Excellent suggestion Ryan.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on August 30, 2015 at 7:07pm

Ryan, does Michaels offer UV frames?

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Permalink Reply by Null on August 30, 2015 at 8:15pm

None of mine are UV, but my collection is all displayed in a room with no windows, or windows that are 100% covered at all times. Hobby Lobby does have "acid free" mattes that are twice as expensive but I have not used those. I did buy some acid free tape for $10 from Hobby Lobby to tape same photos to the matte so they would stop falling down in the frame. None of my frames are metal. I can post some examples tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on August 30, 2015 at 8:18pm

That would be awesome. This is exactly the way I'm trying to go with this. Really appreciate it.

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Permalink Reply by Mike White on August 30, 2015 at 7:19pm

Make sure it's a metal frame.

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Permalink Reply by AJ Jones on August 31, 2015 at 9:38pm

Ryan can we see some of the items you've framed on your own? Id like to do the same..but nervous about the matte process

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Permalink Reply by Null on September 1, 2015 at 7:21am

AJ I posted several examples yesterday which are currently on page 2 of this thread.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on August 30, 2015 at 6:59pm

Thanks guys this is excellent advice. For the frame, can you buy UV protected glass or should I not worry about that as long as it's matted and not sitting right on the glass?