Framing a Movie Poster

[Burninator]

So I bought a screen printed movie poster this week. It's nicer than the typical movie poster so I would like to display and protect it correctly. I figure an IKEA frame is about the bottom of the barrel when it comes to frames. What are my other options? I know Michaels does custom framing, but I don't really want to break the bank (although I don't know what this costs either).

This is the poster I bought if you are curious.

Spoiler!

[troutman]

I usually get all my concert posters plaque mounted:



https://www.calgaryoncanvas.com/incl...e_mounting.php

Your artwork is mounted on a sturdy, high density wood fiber plaque with a bevelled edge, available in a variety of colors. The plaque and images are then permanently sealed with a matte, UV-protected laminate.

Your prints will be protected against moisture, UV light, smudges and scratches. The wooden backing is lightweight but durable, perfect for mobile display panels or prints displayed in high-activity areas.

Plaques are priced according to size and mounting method. The price will also vary depending on whether you require us to print your images, or can supply us with the hard copies. Please use the pricing calculator below to determine the correct pricing based on the service you need.

Want more information about this clean, modern art display style? Check out our dedicated Plaque Mounts article.

[OMG!WTF!]

Whoa is that ever cool. Is it an old Fritz Lang era poster? It's great anyway. If you want to protect it you need the correct glass and correct mounting. I just had four works on paper framed with conservation glass, floating mount and a simple 1 1/4 inch frame for $233 each. They were all 30 x 22. If you want glare free glass add $50. You can matte frame it a little easier for $25 less...(the edges are covered with a matte). But if you just get an ikea frame or off the shelf michael's frame it likely won't protect it from UV harm. It will fade fast in the sun. But it will offer some protection from other damage.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Unless you go to a custom framing place, you don't have a lot of options beyond Michaels. Beyond that it is ikea or walmart for the cheap stuff.

There are a number of options at michaels and you can usually get a good deal, but you have to watch for sales.

Option 1 is to wait until a sale on custom framing and specifically a sale on the type of custom framing you want. Michaels has about 4 levels of custom framing materials, depending on the quality you want. The more expensive stuff goes on sale less often, sometimes not at all. I've found that they also don't always seem to put every piece on sale meaning that frames might be on sale but glass and mats will be full price, or vice versa.

If you can find a custom framing sale on the whole job, that's your best bet.


Option 2: Wait for a sale on a certain style of regular frame off the rack and just buy it and put it in there. Again Michaels has a ton of typical size frames from small to huge and they go from low to med quality. 40-50% off is what I'd be looking for. This only works is your poster is a conventional size.

Option 3: Do both 1 and 2. Buy a regular off the rack frame but get a custom mat put on. This is essential for any odd sized poster, or if you just want a larger frame with a mat because that usually looks better.

What I've done in the past is bring in my odd sized poster (or at least the dimensions) and had the person at the counter show me on their fancy computer program what kind of mat I need and how it will look dimension wise. Then I go find the size of frame I want on sale and make sure the mat and custom job work is also on sale. Sometimes they aren't on sale at the same time so I buy the frame first and wait for a custom framing sale to get the mat done. They will happily put a mat into your existing frame, you don't have to do the whole job as custom.

If you really want to go all out, get the acid free mat and UV glass and all the other fancy stuff. If it is a standard size poster, around 22x36 or so, it will be a couple hundred dollars.

[photon]

Micheals usually has a 25-40% off single item coupon on their website.

[CaptainCrunch]

Editions Art Gallery has a framing service and they do good work.

[puckedoff]

If you live in the south, go to 'Midtowne Gallery and Framing' (McLoed and 94th ave ish). They know their stuff they'll get you set up.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Whoa is that ever cool. Is it an old Fritz Lang era poster? It's great anyway. If you want to protect it you need the correct glass and correct mounting. I just had four works on paper framed with conservation glass, floating mount and a simple 1 1/4 inch frame for $233 each. They were all 30 x 22. If you want glare free glass add $50. You can matte frame it a little easier for $25 less...(the edges are covered with a matte). But if you just get an ikea frame or off the shelf michael's frame it likely won't protect it from UV harm. It will fade fast in the sun. But it will offer some protection from other damage.

It's a new poster. This company has artists design new posters for all kinds of movies.

https://mondotees.com/collections/ar...ropolis-poster

[OMG!WTF!]

If you decide not to frame it I've used duplex nails and rare earth magnets to hang posters. Keeps them away from the wall, no holes in the poster, and it looks cool. Yours probably needs a frame with the right glass though.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

That is definitely a sweet looking poster Burn.

I actually really like Troutman's idea. Maybe obvious question though, wouldn't that process render the poster permanently attached? At least with a frame you can always switch it up or re-frame it if you need to. I assume attaching it to wood means it can never be changed right?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

That is definitely a sweet looking poster Burn.

I actually really like Troutman's idea. Maybe obvious question though, wouldn't that process render the poster permanently attached? At least with a frame you can always switch it up or re-frame it if you need to. I assume attaching it to wood means it can never be changed right?

Correct.

Your plaque mount image is printed with archival, lightfast (fade-proof) inks and coated with a UV-protective laminate. Your artwork can last for generations. This also means, however, that the plaque mounting process is irreversible. As such, we do not recommend plaque mounting important original artworks or posters. It is best to create a digital image of the piece and mount that instead.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by troutman

I usually get all my concert posters plaque mounted

Interesting. The site talks a lot about mailing your posters in to them. How long has the whole process usually taken for you? Can you just drop the posters off?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Interesting. The site talks a lot about mailing your posters in to them. How long has the whole process usually taken for you? Can you just drop the posters off?

I drop off at a frame shop on 5th Ave in Kensington, and it is ready for pick-up in one week.

http://www.framedonfifth.com/

[Sr. Mints]

Just don't buy an el cheapo off-the-shelf frame from Michaels, Ikea, etc., the poster will look like crap. The paper will be wavy behind the glass (or more likely, plastic), the hardware for hanging will be terrible, and the overall quality is garbage.

Usually, I get mine mounted on mdf like Troutman.

Costco does it, but I can't remember if they do large posters (18x24 is the biggest I've had them do, if I recall.)

One word of warning, however: if you're moving or need to move the mounted poster around or store it, and you accidentally ding it (say on the corner) you're kind of #### out of luck. So invest in some bubble wrap and a glue gun and make some triangle corners.

[OMG!WTF!]

Hoping not to sound totally dorky but you can buy prefab bubble wrap corners at Uhaul or Home Depot. You can even get styrofoam ones. Ah the world we live in.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Hoping not to sound totally dorky but you can buy prefab bubble wrap corners at Uhaul or Home Depot. You can even get styrofoam ones. Ah the world we live in.

Good to know for when I go through the 800 I've already made.

[kevman]

Did you try The Movie Poster Shop?

edit: Actually looks like it's closed. (moviepostershop.ca) It redirects you to Prints Charming. If they still do the thin metal custom frames I'd recommend them. The prices are very reasonable and the basic frames look great.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

If you live in the south, go to 'Midtowne Gallery and Framing' (McLoed and 94th ave ish). They know their stuff they'll get you set up.

I have heard that the area around mcleod on 94th is the framing district with several framing shops such a frames so far, frames a-plenty and frame it in the area

[KTrain]

Don't plaque mount it. Like others have said, it can't be undone. If you don't end up liking the look of it you're pooched.

Also, Mondo prints have some pretty decent resale value so if/when you become tired of the print you can sell it. Once you've attached it to wood it doesn't have the same value as it would in original condition.

[OMG!WTF!]

The stand off frame is the one I like. Just not sure who does them in Calgary.

https://www.canadaoncanvas.com/inclu...rt_display.php