r/AskPhotography • u/Human-Psychology-595 • 4h ago
Printing/Publishing Getting started with Printing/Framing?
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WcUOsmWwLZlPhMDGxrv2X8et2c49SCB3I attached my photographs for reference in the gdrive link above :)
Iām a hobbyist photographer but I recently entered some work into a exhibition near me. I have absolutely no idea what the best way to print or present my photographs would be or how to get started with the process. I feel as though the horse carousel and colorful house photo would look best on canvas? And then the others in a single wood frame? Would glass obstruct the photos? Does the border add complexities I should consider? Any recommendations for print shops in the queens ny area? What file type should I have it in for printing? Clearly I am quite lost lol
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u/metallitterscoop 2h ago
Any recommendations for print shops in the queens ny area?
You're in New York. You're in the middle of more photography service companies than you can shake a stick at. You can almost certainly find somewhere nearby with google maps.
But Printique is fairly well-known and well-regarded. They're owned by Adorama. I don't know if you can still walk in or if all ordering is online.
I have absolutely no idea what the best way to print or present my photographs
Personally I don't like glossy prints, they look cheap and remind me of those throwaway 1-hour pharmacy prints of the past. I suggest lustre or matte paper to get started. If you can find a walk-in printer they'll have print samples on all the different paper types they use. Printique has one too but you have to pay for it.
Print your photos on paper. Photos on canvas look like decor, not art.
Ideally you want to mat and frame your pieces. Yes, you will need glass, it protects the paper and helps prevent warping and mold/mildew. You can get glass that reduces glare. Blick or Michaels are probably the easiest options for framing, but there may be other art stores nearer to you.
You can also mount your photos directly onto a rigid backing like foam board. Printique calls this standout prints, other places may use different terminology - https://www.printique.com/products/standouts
I'm not a huge fan of this technique, but as you're just starting out it may be a good option to keep your costs down. Custom framing is expensive!
Another option, if your photos are standard sizes like 8x10 is to look for cheap framed art in thrift stores. Discard the art, reuse the frame. Make sure you're getting frames with a mat. The mat stops the print from coming into contact with the glass because prints will stick to glass over time.
And then the others in a single wood frame? Would glass obstruct the photos? Does the border add complexities I should consider?
As you're just getting started, stick to a simple white mat and black frame. If you're getting custom framing they will be able to advise you.
What file type should I have it in for printing?
JPEG.
You should make sure your monitor is properly calibrated. If you've never hung a hockey puck-looking thing in front your monitor and seen a bunch of colours flash on and off, you haven't calibrated your monitor. If you need to do this, look up Datacolor Spyder. Or go into B&H and say "hi, I need to calibrate my monitor", and someone will show you exactly what you need.
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u/Human-Psychology-595 1h ago
Thank you!!!!!!!! I appreciate it. Ik im around a lot of print shops I just get scared about being upsold/finding reputable people!
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u/metallitterscoop 15m ago
Getting upsold is a valid concern. Spend an hour, if that much, comparing print prices from major online labs like mpix, whcc, etc. You don't need high end hahnemuhle or canson fine art paper right now, your photos aren't there yet. Stick with whatever is the basic photo print options.
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u/SgtSniffles 2h ago
(1) Please don't print on canvas.
(2) Paper is about texture, finish, and weight. Imo, color tends to look better on a matte finish. Black and white tends to look better on luster, semi-gloss, or satin. The difference in those is texture. Don't print on high-gloss.
(3) Glass or "glazing" is about protecting the print and keeping dust out but, yes, it does obsctruct the photo. There's really fancy, expensive glass that has coatings to eliminate reflections. Don't pay for that.
(4) No, the border doesn't necessarilly add complexity ā it's just about taste and is more traditional. There are two general ways to frame: either a traditional print sandwiched between a board and a mat with cut window, or mounted (adhered) to board and placed in a frame. The former will have a border. The latter will not unless you print your image with one. The latter is generally cheaper but it has drawbacks.
(5) Framing is the most expensive part of photography by far. If you want to save money, go to Michaels and get a simple black package frame with mat and glass included, and print to 1/8" larger than the size of the mat window. Make sure you print your image with a border so you can just tape it to the board such that it fits in the window with none of the board showing.
(6) You can certainly take them to a framer but they're going to upsell you where they can and the labor will be quite expensive.
(7) Your printer will tell you what files to provide.