Framing a photograph: Tips & Tricks

Ever wondered how you should properly frame your prints? Whether that's for a commission or just hanging them on your walls? Well there are different ways of course, as each artist has their own process. However, there are certain tips and tricks and will help that process.

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Choosing the paper

You start off by choosing the paper you are printing on, let it dry and never-i repeat-never touch a print once it comes out of the printer. It needs some time for the inks to set, even if it's laser printed, just wait for it to cool off and make sure your hands are clean or if you have cotton gloves, use those. You really don’t want fingerprints on that freshly printed photograph of yours. But this is the case if you are printing on your own, I just recommend leaving the printing to a professional. I feel that photographers need to support (local) printing spaces and photo labs.

Signing the print

Once you have your print ready, go off and sign it with a smudge proof pen along its number. For example if it's a part of 10 limited copies, you'll write 1/10 (for the first copy). At this point you deserve a 'congratulations', if you are prepping for more than 1 copy, then… Congratulations! You've really stepped up the artistic ladder and you should be proud of yourself. It's not easy selling your prints multiple times in a digital driven world.

Unwrapping the frame

Next step after your print is signed and numbered is unpacking your frame. Make sure to use scissors with caution if it's wrapped. If you went with the custom made one, you can skip this step.

Cleaning the frame

In both cases you should wipe the frame with a fiber cloth. It's essential you use a fiber cloth in order not to scratch it with any hard fibers another cloth type might have(eg. Kitchen towel or even napkin).

Opening up the frame

After you finish cleaning the frame you should open up the flat buttons(or any other sealing type your frame has). Most of the time the sealing might be too stiff, especially when opening for the first time. Just don’t apply too much pressure to either harm yourself or the backing board. A flathead screwdriver might come in handy, or any other flat based object (ruler, paper knife).

Cleaning the glass

Before inserting the print you should clean the glass with a fiber cloth. I would suggest you point the glass towards a light source so you see every possible dust particle. This is essential as you don't want your client to receive a photograph full of dust and smudges, especially from the inside. It's unlikely they'll open the frame and clean it and if they do so, it reflects negatively on you. You've put too much work on getting the photograph all prepped so you'll end up with a dusty frame.

Inserting your print

After everything is clean and ready, put the print on the backing board. Make sure it’s leveled and close those flat buttons again with caution.

Cleaning the frame again

You are almost done now. There are just a few finishing touches remaining along this process. For instance, after you’ve opened up the frame and closed it, I encourage you to remove any excess dust that might have caught up. Do this again with thy beloveth fiber cloth.

Using cardboard pockets

Use any cardboard pockets, if you have, for the corner of the frames. This will ensure that your frame will be safe and also adds some height so the glass doesn’t touch anywhere and be scratched.

Wrapping the frame

You are all set and ready to -literally- wrap things up. So, pick your choice of wrapping paper and pre-cut your adhesive tape. As you can see in the video, the wrapping paper rolls backs out if you don’t tape it…….Took me a bit to realize the common sense of nature called gravity, nevertheless, good you have this video so you realize it sooner!

Using promo material

Having said that, and everything that goes along with it(that’s a lot, I know). It’s time you use any promo material you have before packing up the frame completely. You can use business cards, stickers, flyers, whatever floats your boat. Even brand wrapped up frames afterwards with a sticker. I chose to use a business card inside and a sticker with my logo on the outside.

I am really glad I’ve also created a video for this explanation. It’ll come in handy when you watch it and realize it’s not such a timely process. It goes to show the power of video creation in educational matters (completely unrelated, just thought to drop this here).

Enjoy framing your prints. Be cautious, be considerate and above all, be creative with it.

Click on the image below and it'll direct you to the video!

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