Pre-made drop-in frames?

[hadvil]

I just picked up my first Mondo print, a Whalen Duck Dodgers, at the Mondo gallery opening Saturday, and now I'm looking to frame it up. I don't really want to spend a huge amount of money or time on the framing though, I just want the print to look nice on the wall and be reasonably well-preserved.
I went by Hobby Lobby the other day, and they're having a 50% off framing sale, including custom framing (but the discount doesn't apply to the mats and glass... ), pre-made frames, and other framing supplies. They had several fairly nice-looking pre-made 18x24 frames (with glass, backing already in place) that I could get for $20 on sale. Is there anything wrong with using these kind of pre-made frames? Are there any extra precautions I should take when using these type of frames so that the print doesn't stick to the glass, or something like that? I'm new to this, and would appreciate any advice.

Also, as far as aesthetic concerns, I was originally thinking of a plain black frame for the Duck Dodgers, but they had a white frame there that I'm thinking could look pretty cool. What do you all think?

[summoner]

I love Hobby Lobby frames, use them all the time, and if you want to spice things up a bit they usually have a online 40% off coupon for any 1 item. You can pick up some Museum Glass for about $24 normally 40 with the coupon on your phone when you check out.

[Neebles]

Yeah I just got back from my local Hobby Lobby, all their frames are 50% off right now, got 2 nice frames for 24x36 prints, an 8x10 frame, and 3 pieces 30 X 40 Foam core boards for about 50 bucks....

[KSUvet]

I just picked up my first Mondo print, a Whalen Duck Dodgers, at the Mondo gallery opening Saturday, and now I'm looking to frame it up. I don't really want to spend a huge amount of money or time on the framing though, I just want the print to look nice on the wall and be reasonably well-preserved.
I went by Hobby Lobby the other day, and they're having a 50% off framing sale, including custom framing (but the discount doesn't apply to the mats and glass... ), pre-made frames, and other framing supplies. They had several fairly nice-looking pre-made 18x24 frames (with glass, backing already in place) that I could get for $20 on sale. Is there anything wrong with using these kind of pre-made frames? Are there any extra precautions I should take when using these type of frames so that the print doesn't stick to the glass, or something like that? I'm new to this, and would appreciate any advice.

Also, as far as aesthetic concerns, I was originally thinking of a plain black frame for the Duck Dodgers, but they had a white frame there that I'm thinking could look pretty cool. What do you all think?

I'm not a professional, so take this FWIW. You should definitely get an acid-free backing (cheap) and probably UV glass or plexi (not as cheap) for the front. Most people will tell you to use spacers as well to keep the print off the glazing, but your rabbet has to be deep enough to accommodate them. There general thought is that you're less likely to get sticking with plexi than glass if you do have to have them in contact, though. Also if the frame is wood and the same size as the poster you may want to use some of this frame-sealing tape to prevent acid migration: http://www.framedestination.com/tape_tissue/self-adhesive_frame_sealing_tape_l387-0151/item/FATAPESFST0000907000/
That's not as big of a concern if you have some space around the outside where it's just the backing in direct contact with the edge (when using a mat), but I still use it because I like to over-engineer things. Check out some of the websites like framedestination and americanframe for complete semi-diy options as well.

[summoner]

Yeah I just got back from my local Hobby Lobby, all their frames are 50% off right now, got 2 nice frames for 24x36 prints, an 8x10 frame, and 3 pieces 30 X 40 Foam core boards for about 50 bucks....

I think the whole 50% off wall frames sale one of those sales that never really ends. That or they do it for a month, stop a week, and then do it for another month.

[Neebles]

Yeah I just got back from my local Hobby Lobby, all their frames are 50% off right now, got 2 nice frames for 24x36 prints, an 8x10 frame, and 3 pieces 30 X 40 Foam core boards for about 50 bucks....

I think the whole 50% off wall frames sale one of those sales that never really ends. That or they do it for a month, stop a week, and then do it for another month.

Ahh, got ya, It was my first time looking at frames there, so I had no idea. Thanks for the heads up..

[wizzack]

Are any of those premade frames deep enough for spacers? The plain black 24x36 I picked up won't fit them with the foamcore. Dang!

[summoner]

Are any of those premade frames deep enough for spacers? The plain black 24x36 I picked up won't fit them with the foamcore. Dang!

I have seen some 1/16" spacers that I am thinking will fit. I was actually going to ask the same question to see if anyone has used this size, in these type of frames to see if there is enough room.

Also, I was kinda figuring I would have to remove the preset tabs on the back and get a gun to put in my own.

[hadvil]

Yeah I just got back from my local Hobby Lobby, all their frames are 50% off right now, got 2 nice frames for 24x36 prints, an 8x10 frame, and 3 pieces 30 X 40 Foam core boards for about 50 bucks....

I think the whole 50% off wall frames sale one of those sales that never really ends. That or they do it for a month, stop a week, and then do it for another month.

Glad to know it's not just me thinking so. Every time I go to Hobby Lobby, they seem to have what I'm looking for on sale. Last summer, I was framing a Pixar shareholder's exclusive poster, and the same 50% off sale was going on.
So if I decide to sub out the backing and the glass, is it even worth it to buy the pre-assembled frame, or should I just buy an empty frame border and try to assemble it myself?
Also, remembered another question: I thought it would be cool to place the little Mondo Gallery Opening card that I picked up on the back of the frame. Does anyone have a good way to do that?

[wizzack]

Are any of those premade frames deep enough for spacers? The plain black 24x36 I picked up won't fit them with the foamcore. Dang!

I have seen some 1/16" spacers that I am thinking will fit. I was actually going to ask the same question to see if anyone has used this size, in these type of frames to see if there is enough room.

Also, I was kinda figuring I would have to remove the preset tabs on the back and get a gun to put in my own.

Cool I'll have to try those out. And thanks for the points gun suggestion too - didn't even think of that.

[KSUvet]

Are any of those premade frames deep enough for spacers? The plain black 24x36 I picked up won't fit them with the foamcore. Dang!

You could try something like the 2ply (1/32") Alpharag here: http://www.framedestination.com/Mount_Board.html
I've never used it, but it would give you some more space.

I purchased the cheap point driver at Michael's with a 40% off coupon and have found it to be worth it for me so far. I think they might have the same one at Hobby Lobby. I have a tendency to fiddle a lot with the frame removing dust, etc. and the flexible points sometimes wear enough to break. I just move over a bit and shoot a new one! Just be careful if you have to remove a jam. I shot one into my palm when opening it. That wasn't in the manual .

[summoner]

Are any of those premade frames deep enough for spacers? The plain black 24x36 I picked up won't fit them with the foamcore. Dang!

You could try something like the 2ply (1/32") Alpharag here: http://www.framedestination.com/Mount_Board.html
I've never used it, but it would give you some more space.

I purchased the cheap point driver at Michael's with a 40% off coupon and have found it to be worth it for me so far. I think they might have the same one at Hobby Lobby. I have a tendency to fiddle a lot with the frame removing dust, etc. and the flexible points sometimes wear enough to break. I just move over a bit and shoot a new one! Just be careful if you have to remove a jam. I shot one into my palm when opening it. That wasn't in the manual .

DAMN MAN!!! That shit had to hurt! And yes, I did chuckle a bit.... We are lucky enough to have both Michaels and Hobby Lobby where I am, so I may be checking out the gun soon.

I am a very simple frame kind of guy and dont get very ornate with frames, for me stock frames work just fine. I do however swap out the glass for Museum Glass, see earlier reference to Hobby Lobby's 40% coupons, and try to stay away completely from Michael's frames, and framing material. Comparing prices Michael's sale prices are higher than Hobby Lobby normal prices on most everything, especially on glass.

[mistersmith]

There are dozens of reasons not to buy frames, or have framing done, at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. There's also a very good reason they're frequently running 50% off coupons. In short, their work is garbage, their materials are junk and potentially harmful, and on top of that they're insanely overpriced. Many "real" framers are cheaper, and nearly all will be much better.

This has been discussed at great length on this board, do a quick search and you'll find it. Just don't take anything you care about to a big-box framer.

[emac]

Yeah I just got back from my local Hobby Lobby, all their frames are 50% off right now, got 2 nice frames for 24x36 prints, an 8x10 frame, and 3 pieces 30 X 40 Foam core boards for about 50 bucks....

I think the whole 50% off wall frames sale one of those sales that never really ends. That or they do it for a month, stop a week, and then do it for another month.

Glad to know it's not just me thinking so. Every time I go to Hobby Lobby, they seem to have what I'm looking for on sale. Last summer, I was framing a Pixar shareholder's exclusive poster, and the same 50% off sale was going on.
So if I decide to sub out the backing and the glass, is it even worth it to buy the pre-assembled frame, or should I just buy an empty frame border and try to assemble it myself?
Also, remembered another question: I thought it would be cool to place the little Mondo Gallery Opening card that I picked up on the back of the frame. Does anyone have a good way to do that?

I've attached Tiny Showcase certificates of authenticity to the backs of frames using archival photo corners. You could use larger Mylar corners if the size of the card warrants it, but the small photo corners should be fine.

[hadvil]

Thanks all! I'm going to check out Hobby Lobby for this stuff, and also get a quote from my local framing shop. I'll take a look at some of those other websites too. I'll update with what I end up doing.