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Dear Philipp and all,
There is an option that I do frequently for customers
with varying sizes of linenbacked posters that would like to occasionally swap
them in and out. I have many customers, right here on the group, that I create
this type of framing for. Let's say a standard one sheet is 27x41 before
linenbacking. Even with some stretching, the actual poster doesn't usually
increase in size by more than one inch both ways, usually much less. What I do
is to cut a mat that has an opening of about 26 3/4x 40 3/4 and then leave about
1 1/2" - 2" of matting so that the overall dimensions are about 30 3/4" x 44
3/4" approximately. That way you can center any size linenbacked one sheet in
the mat with the excess linen underneath the mat border. While most of us do not
mat one sheets, as they are so large to begin with, this is a viable solution to
be able to swap linenbacked one sheets in and out of different frames. Some
people don't have a lot of wall space and may only have room for 4-5 frames but
have considerably more posters they would like to occasionally see. This is the
ideal solution for the situation. I have several customers who have me cut their
frames to 28 1/2" x 42 1/2". They trim the excess linen down to that size on
every one of their posters and then they swap posters in and out that way. That
is less expensive that creating a mat border for the frame. For me, personally,
I have some of my one sheets matted in the frame and some not. If not,
I trim the linen down to about 1/4" all the way around and then frame it. That
way the frame lip typically covers that little bit of excess linen, but I
haven't trimmed it all the way off for future handling or shipping.
As for three sheets, I feel your pain. Here in Los
Angeles, I frame at least 5 or more three sheets a month. In many parts of the
country it is near impossible to find a high grade, preferably UV filtered,
plexiglass that size. Even though plexiglass normally comes in 4'x8' sheets,
which is perfect for a three sheet, it is too hard for most framers to store.
So, when there is a need for it, they special order it to size and that can be
costly, especially if there is no distributor of the product in a nearby town or
city. I get these calls all the time from collectors all over the country who
are trying to find either the materials to frame it themselves (which I wouldn't
recommend), or a framer local to them willing to take on the task. Of course,
the cost is astronomical and hence one of the reasons that the average collector
does not buy three sheets. But they are so impressive when framed. I have three
of them in my living room and they still amaze me when I walk by them. The
reason I can't ship a three sheet is strictly a shipping issue. Due to the size,
they can't go the regular shipping venues. You also can't bubblewrap them and
put them in a box and ship them off. They have to be wooden crated and shipped
via a roadway service. The cost is so prohibitive that you could go to the most
expensive framer in your own hometown and it would still be cheaper. The main
thing to remember is that many local framers in the country are not use to
framing objects this big and often, not collectable pieces. As always, I remind
you to refer to my articles either on my own website or at www.learnaboutmovieposterscom
to see what needs to be done for framing purposes. One thing to remember, with
three sheets, linenbacked or not and that is, do not let your framer glue or
"tack" your item to the backing board. If the frame job is done correctly,
gravity, will not affect to any great deal, your poster. Paper is always
susceptible to environmental issues, like humidity. When it rains outside, paper
will swell up just like your front door does. You might notice a slight wave in
your poster and then when it dries up, it will typically flatten out. Paper
often has a mind of it's own and sometimes when you put it in the frame, it has
it's own natural "wave" for life. That is just the nature of the beast. The main
thing is to use quality materials and to enjoy them. I use to say
"remember, these aren't Picasso's were dealing with". I may have to
rethink my words, since many of my movie posters have begun to surpass the
prices of my painting collection. Take care everyone.
Sue Heim
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