This is probably the perfect group of people to get an answer to this minor dilemma.
I am perfectly willing to sell customers just a print (I'm a photographer), but I strongly prefer to sell it matted. The reason is that I know most framers are terrible hacks and will not use quality materials. I go to a lot of trouble and expense to make sure my buyers have archival quality prints and the only way to make sure they get matting of the same quality is if I provide it.
I tell customers this, but some insist on buying un-matted prints anyway. What can I do to encourage (push) them to buy only prints that are matted?
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I only mat my prints with double mats, white outer and black inner. I do not glue my prints or the mat to the back board. I tell my customers that the mats are basically free, and they are hinged so they can easily remove the mat or change it's color. Recently I started selling 8 x 10s unmatted, in a sleeve with cardboard. I've watched people go through them and then ask me for a matted version. I've had more sales that way than the other (asking for unmatted).
That's quite interesting perhaps you should only bring matted finished prints for sale. That would take away the opportunity for the client to even request an unmatted print. You can say as part of your service providing that this is the way all prints are available as a matter of policy. I think its good because you maintain the integrity and the quality of work and you get around not insulting the potential client.
Perhaps they are woefully familiar with the ridiculously inflated prices of framing services. They don't like the color or size of mat you offer (ie, white) and figure you could keep it while offering them a significant discount. They don't realize how inexpensive high quality materials are when the artist makes it him/herself or gets them in volume. Either way, don't lose the sale, pull them aside and privately offer them a discount without the mat .... Depending on the size, you and I know the discount will be slight.
I, for one, offer my 8x12 and 12x18 prints WITHOUT mats all the time on display crates. They are each bagged and boarded (secured by 1/4" wide artist tape on each corner). Mats, especially larger ones, have a tendency to bend, crease or get damaged over time in bagged crates. I've never had a problem with my prints and customers are happy.
Hay guys while youre on the subject of frames and matting:
Could a guy sell frames at an art fair or is there just to many different sizes? I really dont whant to get into matting just wood frames. If so what sizes would be best to cary.
Derrick, while you can sell frames at a show, some shows do limit your ability to actually do the work at the show. (Winter Park, for example). And you get into a huge can of worms, where you are channeled into a discussion of mat colors, frame styles and colors, and glass types. You can bring all the samples you want, but it will definitely distract from your main business, which I assume is selling some form of 2-D art. I would avoid it if possible. Offer one or two styles, and take the rest of the discussion offline by explaining that you do custom framing out of your studio, and are willing to discuss options after the show.
If you are framing without mattes, are you using spacers to hold the art away from the glass, or laminated work with linen liners, or canvas wraps in float frames? A print slammed into a cheap frame with no mat looks, well, cheap. While it's entirely possible to print the mat with the image and use matte paper, IMO it just doesn't look as rich. Maybe that's your goal.
Hay Jim:
I was just thinking of selling hand made wood frames with the glass and let them get it mated and framed when they get home. Hoby lobby and a lot of other stores do that cheaply. I make custom trim for homes know and thought this would be a way for me to get a little artistec and creative. Mabey not what do you think?
Then you have to apply under the wood category.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Matted or unmatted, please make them standard frame sizes. The price of custom frames is becoming outrageous and I can buy multiple prints when I can use standard frames.
Sure thing. I'll wait for your order.
;-)
I started offering some 8 x 10 prints without mats this year. I put them in a clear bag with an 8 x 10 card behind them. The price for the unmatted is $5 cheaper than the same photo matted. I think the matted prints are selling slightly better than the unmatted, but it's close. I've had people look through the unmatted, find a print they like, then ask if I had one matted - and just the opposite.
All my other print sizes are matted, although I may do some 20 x 30 or 16 x 20 prints unmatted for next year.
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