What to do after you have purchased a print

If you purchased your print online or through the mail...

The print will come in a protective plastic sleeve and the mailing envelope will be reinforced with a 3/16"-thick mount board with a standard foam core.

Next step: You need a frame, and for the print to look its best you’ll want a matte too. This can be inexpensive or expensive, or easy or labor-intensive -- it depends on you. You basically have three options:

1. Inexpensive and easy. Buy a pre-fabricated frame from a department or craft store; you may have to buy a pre-cut matte separately if the frame does not come with one. Wal-Mart probably has the cheapest frames (in terms of both price and quality), but I would recommend going to Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Christmas Tree Shop, etc. and finding a moderately priced frame of better quality. (The latter three stores often have great sales on their frames.) Expect a good wood frame to cost $15-$30. To properly frame and matte the print:

Tape the top corners of the print to the matte using acid-free tape (like Scotch Scrapbooking Tape);
Reinforce the original tape by taping over its respective connections with the print and matte, essentially making an “I” of tape;
Insert the matte into the frame, and place the foam mount board over it (use a thick piece of paper if the mount board is too thick); and finally,
Seal the frame with the frame back’s pivot closures.

Note: If you want archival quality, you will need to use acid-free materials, including the tape and mount board.

2. Expensive and easy. Have a local frame shop make a custom matte and frame for your print, especially if you wish to match other frames or furniture in your home or office. This option will be more expensive but the end product will look great. Use the yellow pages or Google to find a local frame shop, or visit Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

3. Relatively inexpensive and labor-intensive. Make a custom matte and frame on your own. If you have free time and the craft skills, this might be a viable option if you wish to save money on a custom frame job. There are many online and printed resources with instructions on how to do this.

If you purchased your print in-person...

The print will already be matted, and it will be protected with a plastic photo sleeve and a 3/16”-thick mount board. You have two options from here:

1. Inexpensive and easy. Find a pre-fabricated frame that fits the matte from a local department or craft store (see above for suggestions), insert the matte, and hang it on your wall. If the pre-fabricated frame comes with a matte and mount board that you would rather use, please recycle the matte and find a good alternative use for the foam mount board.

2. Expensive or moderately inexpensive, and easy or labor-intensive. If you want a custom frame, read options (2) and (3) above.