source for frames & mats for 11x17 prints?

i've got a couple posters and i cant seem to find off the shelf frames for them ~ TC folks seem to know all the best places to shop..so i thought i'd ask here..

also looking for frames/mats for 11x15 prints.

thanks!
elicia

http://www.framefetish.com is the place for custom stuff, but are you asking whatstores you can go to to buy inexpensive stuff to frame prints?

yes, the cheap frames. these are freebie posters i want to put into frames. the plainer the better (either black or plain wood that i'll decorate..)

but it seems 11x17 and 11x15 aren't standard sizes at the regular places i shop (Michaels, Aaron Bros, Mr Art)

so..i was hoping there was someplace i've not found yet!

elicia

There are some online stores that mail the frames to you unassembled and all you have to do is put it together.

http://www.pictureframes.com
http://www.framesbymail.com

These 2 sites are the are the most helpful and easy to use.

Being the frugal guy that I am I'll give you my cheap sollution. Micheals sells cheap clip frames that I love. All I do is get a piece of white poster board (or whatever color you like) and cut it to the frame size and use that as a background. Then you put your art on that, it's not a mat but it works for me. I've got a piece from http://www.theartdeck.com that is 11x15 and it works great in the $11 frame that I have.

I also plan on doing a little bamboo trim around it when I get a chance. It is a very minimalistic (and cheap) way to frame things.

On 2004-07-31 11:40, dogbytes wrote:
...cheap frames...
11x17 and 11x15 aren't standard sizes at the regular places i shop (Michaels, Aaron Bros, Mr Art)

I know what you mean. I've been scanning old images out of books (that I don't wanna tear up) for years and then photoshoping/printing/framing/hanging 'em. It's a nice cheap alternative when you need to fill some wall space. But recently I've printed out 2 images that are 11 x 17 and Michaels has 4 aisles of SQUAT! The temptation is there to just buy the top/bottom and sides separate to get a custom size, but that defeats the purpose of doing it on the cheap. You'd think that frame companies would alter their standard sizes to what is available in printer paper.

Sadly, perhaps the best way is to buy $5 worth of cheap moulding at Home Depot and make your own. (oh, and glass, glass cutter, hooks, etc.)

I give up.

-Z

PS- buying online and paying shipping also defeats the cheap thing. OK, I'm off my soapbox now.

[ Edited by: Feelin' Zombified on 2004-07-31 13:40 ]

Then buy a bigger frame and cut a matboard to the size of the frame and then place the print inside the matboard. Or just do what FZ said "Home Depot" and make your own that is the cheapest for your custome size.

i was at ikea thursday~ hoping somehow there would be some sensible swedish metric equalavent frame for me. no such luck. i did get two nice tropical plants and pots for 4 bucks.

sporkboy: ive done the faux matting, sometimes if im lucky, i turn over the picture that comes with the cheapo frame, and its white with no print! yay.

Z ~ i'd need tools to cut the wood..although i have had luck asking nicely at HD, and they'll cut more than the 'first 2 are free' cuts..

well. i might go back to ikea, theres 16x20 unfinished wood frames with glass for 3.99..

elicia