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Permalink Reply by Brad on March 30, 2012 at 9:48pm

I take everything to a place called Off The Wall in Brick NJ they do great work! 12x8 and 16x12 wouldnt be that expensive to get framed with simple frame and matting would def look sweet!     

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on April 2, 2012 at 12:19pm

Thanks Brad!  I will give them a call

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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on March 31, 2012 at 12:04am

Are you looking to buy frames or have items framed for you? The two are very different. I always do all my own framing because the prices for framing from a professional place tend to be high and not look any better in my opinion. The sizes you mentioned are very standard, though, so there should be a problem in finding a place to frame your items and/or just a frame to use yourself.

One place I've used in the past to purchase custom-made frames for items of odd size was http://wholesaleposterframes.com/index.php. They offer UV-protected glass which should be the thing to use on autographs--though there's some discussion as to whether that actually makes a bit of difference. Great prices, professional service and fast turnaround. Can't ask for much more when you need a 27x16 framed.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on April 2, 2012 at 12:23pm

Thanks Brick!  That site is fantastic!  I'm interested in buying frames, like you said- professional framing costs way too much.  Have those frames served you well? And did you need to take any other precautions in order to prevent damage to the photo/autograph itself or was the frame enough in your opinion?  

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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on April 2, 2012 at 1:40pm

I've been very impressed with the craftsmanship and quality of the framing styles from their company during the instances that I've used them. In my opinion you always need matting in with an autograph when you're framing it. I make that myself fairly easily after a quick trip to a local craft store.

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Permalink Reply by Ana C. on April 2, 2012 at 1:03pm

Very interesting discussion... What about the glass? Do autographs need a special quality? Risk of ink sticking to the glass?

The UV-protected glass is very expensive. I asked when I framed some autographed photographs. And of course I try to never expose my framed autographs to direct sunlight.

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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on April 2, 2012 at 1:38pm

Generally one doesn't just stick an autograph in a frame. There's no risk of your autograph getting messed up against the glass because you put your autograph in matting first and the matting is what actually presses up against the glass, not the autograph.

Some people do say that UV-protected glass makes a differences and others swear that it's a load of bull. UV-protected or not, you don't want to stick an autograph across from a window with the sun shining in, because the autograph will fade over time. The place I mentioned earlier in the thread does offer UV protective glass but it isn't all that expensive. In my experience, everything from a professional framing place ends up being expensive.

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Permalink Reply by Ana C. on April 2, 2012 at 1:50pm

You are right about the matting. It presses up the glass, not the photograph or the autograph. However I do have some photographs without matting. In these the autograph is in direct contact with the glass.  I wonder if there is a serious risk here...

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Permalink Reply by Travis Christenberry on April 2, 2012 at 2:51pm

Yes there is a risk. The photo can stick to the glass.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Kellogg on April 2, 2012 at 3:16pm

Big time risk! Any humidity can cause to stick faster, but even just time will ruin it. Also use acid free mat or it will yellow the paper over time.

They do make UV plexiglass. cheaper and lighter than glass. If you have kids, use plexiglass. My daughter hit a picture off the wall & the broken glass scratched the picture. A friend of mine had the same thing happen to him.

Another option is to get a good scan & print a copy of the graph. Then you can frame as cheaply as possible & keep the original safe & sound.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on April 2, 2012 at 6:17pm

That's a good idea John!  

The site that Brick mentioned has acid free matting, and a frame costs around $30 there which is MUCH cheaper than the professional installations.  

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Permalink Reply by Ana C. on April 3, 2012 at 1:00am

Thank you for the advices and ideas! It is time to start matting my autographed photos with acid free material before it is too late... 

I have many framed photos without mat which are just put in the frame. To avoid sticking I will also get mats for these. There is only a small space for the mat´s side border, perhaps 4-5 mm, but at least the matting will avoid the photo pressing the glass and the sticking.  

 Any ideas for autographed LP covers? There are mylar and polypropylene outer sleeves, but I am not sure if these are acid free.

 

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