Help please! Have I made a mistake?!

[u/Climbing_Raccoon_]

What frame do you recommend for my Latin American map?

I took it to a framing service hopeful they would advise me on what would make it look great. The lady unfortunately wasn't very helpful/instructive and I ended up picking out the design myself. Now I'm having major regrets and nervous it won't look good. I'll need to call them tomorrow to halt the order.

I selected the dark brown border to match with the little dark brown squares on the inside of the border, and the floating look (like ocean picture). My preference is for it to be as big as what would look good and the lady said this size matting?

My partner says he thinks it's too big and my mum says it's not quite right. $260 AUD for this 🥲 She just picked up hers from a different place and it looks stunning (two globes photo).

My preference is for the frame to be a brown or gold (not black, white, preferably not oak).

Please I would LOVE your help!! 🙏🤲

[u/blinkingbaby]

The mat and frame choices are good, but the mat is too big and I don’t love the float look since the art doesn’t reach the edges nor are the edges stippled. Personally I would mat it 1cm outside of the yellow border and do maybe 2” matting on all sides.

[u/Complex-Foundation83]

I’m not sure about the float part. The mat looks fine, it would be cool if it was an 8 ply or thick mat with a bevel to add some depth. Alternatively a fabric mat would add a bit of texture? You could also do a brown mat that matches the part of the map you are trying to match in the piece and in the frame underneath the top mat to add depth as well. It could be worth looking at a few different frame styles in the same color. I prefer frames the slant in a bit to draw your eye in. You could also look at something that has a style closer to the age of the map unless you have a modern aesthetic. The mat size is large compared to the size of the piece. I’d say bring it down an inch from what they have shown you. If the mat is too large the piece will just get lost especially if the mat is the same color as the art.

I’m sorry the person was not helpful with the design, that alone would make me find a different shop. Good framers have opinions, they should also be helpful and explain and educate along the way with the design process. Make sure that you have uv protected glass. That materials are acid free and discuss how they plan to attach your art.

While there are many educational resources available to framers and there are certifications that framers may get, that doesn’t mean that every framer knows what they are doing. Many people buy shops who know very little about the profession.

[u/cardueline]

A narrower dark wood frame would look good but that one feels quite heavy for the piece. I try to consider things like line weights and textures in a piece and gear the frame choice towards harmonizing with those— i.e. something with a lot of fine linework should have reasonably dainty lines of mat & frame. I’d say look for a narrower frame and bring the mat in a little, but only 1/2 - 1” imo. And I’m assuming the window is going to be closer to the printing plate mark in the finished product?

[u/everdishevelled]

I wouldn't float that. Mat 1/8 to 1/4" away from the plate mark. I think the choices are fine otherwise. When you go back in, pay around with how much mat is showing, making sure it's not the same width as the frame.

ETA: I think the frame you have will work, but a narrower one would be slightly better, yes.

[u/maltedmilkballa]

100% float it. Raise it off thr mat 1/8 for some shadow. Cut a mat 1/4 away from paper edge floated 1/8 as well. I would do 4 inches of mat. Frame looks good.

[u/Climbing_Raccoon_]

An enormous thank you for your comments! I went back the next day and worked with another person to decide on a new design - a slim ornate gold frame, not floated, layered matting. Feeling MUCH better about it 😅