Large prints

[Ben Egbert]

My passion is to hang large prints on my walls. 24x36 and larger is what I refer to as a large print.

I have been printing and matting for the last 8 years for custom frames that exhibit 16 x24, or 16s29. This is limited by my Epson P800 printer (3800 prior). But I wanted larger. I have purchased a couple 24 inch wide prints with very expensive custom frames and mats, but this is a costly proposition, mostly because of the frames.

I recently ordered some canvas wraps, 2 are 24x36 and one is 24x48. They look ok, but fine art prints are superior to my eyes. To test this, I made a 2 piece print at home that is 30x45. I used Canson photographique Rag, Even though I spliced it together and you can faintly see the line, it blows the canvas away.

But it does not yet have a frame and the black printed on border looks tacky. I later printed some panos at 16x45 and 16x60 and made thin black frames for them. This looks pretty good to me and I plan to make another frame for the 30x45 as soon as my miter saw arrives. The wood I used are $4.98 per stick for 8 foot sticks at Lowes. I got some frame clamps and using gorilla glue and some black spray paint, I got some fairly nice frames.

I have found that the frame does not need to be anything more than a border, I can mount the hanging wire to the foamcore and then simply attach the frame to the package.

I ordered one small test print on fine art mounted to gatorboard. This is superior to foamcore and provides a very secure structure for the print and can be ordered with a hanging kit that attaches to the gatorboard. This is available from Bay Photos. This allows me to order a fine art print at 24x36 up to 30x45.

I find my 5DSR files hold up well to these large sizes, but when I get to the 30x45 size, I want a stitched multi image, typically 3 will do fine. I like to stay about 200PPI at the print size, but 180 will suffice if there is not too much fine detail.

I would like to hear others experience or suggestions.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Here are a few prints to illustrate what I said above.

The spliced 30x45 with a printed border.

A 16x45 with a frame

A 16x60 with a frame

Closeup of frame

The canvas wraps

 

[AlanLichty]

My own now elderly Epson Stylus 2880 could only go up to 13" x 19" so I have been limited with what I can do on my own. I have been occasionally using ProPhoto Labs in Portland for larger prints and they have a pretty wide range of papers to choose from. I have been using foam core and still have a box of it from Dick Blick Art Supplies along with black core mat but going forward I could easily forgo the matting stage and do something simple like what you have done. I have been purchasing thin edge metal frames from an online store named Frame Destination for the matted/foam core backed prints. The last ones I got had glass cut to size for the prints. After a few years on my walls my own take is to bail on the cover glass since it tends to take on a haze effect both inside and out. Couple that with the chances for breakage and the weight and I see a path that needs to be abandoned.

Your take on simple frames as a decorative edge seems sensible and a far more affordable path to having more prints up on the wall. The gatorboard looks like an attractive option especially with a builtin mount.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Thanks Alan, this is a work in progress and when I get it more or less figured out, I may do a tutorial. I use Frame Destinations and frames by mail as well as Dick Blick. I have a Logan mat cutter, but mats are limited to 32x40 unless you get black or white. Thats big enough to do a 24x36 with about a 2.5 inch border, larger than that and you are out of luck.

It's also hard to find foamcore larger than 32x40 but Office Depot stocks 40x60 which I have been using. I also bought a Logan foam core cutter which helped a lot.

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting - I have the same mat cutter as well. Same size limitations you describe for obvious reasons. I have been using a sheet rock T-square and a razor knife to cut the foam core backs. I was not aware of Office Depot as a potential supplier for larger foam core blanks so that's good to know. Thnx!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Ok, my Stanley miter saw came yesterday and I started a new 30x45 frame and wanted to show what it looks like during assembly.

The miter saw. It cuts very accurately and clean. Very little sanding required. Logan makes a 45 degree precision sander that I might get someday.

The clamp

The full frame clamped up. I glue two corners and let them cure overnight then do the other two.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Ok, here is the frame during construction and finished.

This is a corner, some not as good, and one broke and needed regluing. This wood is not large enough to provide adequate surface area for glue joints or staples in the corners. I will go to a heavier piece next time around.

After finished and painted, I use these push points installed with pliers to hold the print in the frame.

The print needed to be trimmed down to 30x45, recall it had printed borders, but I wanted as standard size in case I buy a picture this size. This is FoamWerks, by Logan. It has a guide rail and a depth setting. I just put a piece of scrap foamcore under the cutting area. It makes a clan cut all the way through.

Here is the finished print hanging on the wall. It looks better now with this frame.

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice result. I like your foam core cutter - basically the same as my track saw but with a razor knife.

Are you buying the wood frame pieces or milling them? They wouldn't be hard to make at all with a router table and a table saw. For me that part would be a piece of cake and I can mill it out of any kind of wood I want.

What I do when I am not shooting pictures:

Nowhere near this clean at the moment with a new coastal maple coffee table top in the middle of this workbench (I have 2).

 

[Ben Egbert]

Man that's nice, I wish I had a place for a shop, but I live in a 55+ community with a small garage.

I buy the wood at Lowes, but I can buy other mouldings at Amazon in 18 foot bundles, 54 inches per stick. Pre painted too. I will try that on my next one.

 

[AlanLichty]

The result at viewing distance is what counts and it sounds like you have a path in mind for the frames. I do like that foam board cutter.

My shop is set up for making cabinets and furniture as a retirement hobby and moldings like the ones you are using wouldn't be hard for me to mill at all. Its tempting to play with some interesting hardwoods for a frame but that might detract from the image being displayed.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Alan, upstairs I have large oak frames with double colored mats that have colors that harmonize with the image. My daughter prefers the simple black frame in these downstairs prints. I tend to agree. More about the print. The upstairs are more like decor. But my wife prefers the upstairs versions.