Make BIG Prints for a LITTLE Cash

Let's be frank. You didn't pay good money for portrait or wedding photography just so you could post images to Facebook and make a few 4 x 6 prints. These days, it's easy to make BIG PRINTS for just a little money, so long as you follow a few basic steps.

1. First, you need a big print. When I just want big prints and I'm not going to be really picky about quality, I almost always use Winkflash.com. But places like Walmart will let you order poster prints as large as 20 x 30, too (but they'll have to ship them to you. Their in-store photo labs don't usually make prints this big). Again, these are not pro-quality prints like you'd get if you order from me, but they do the trick when you're on a budget.

2. After you receive the print, you MUST have it mounted at a framing shop. Mounting just means that you're adhering the print to foam core or similar rigid, board-like material. This prevents wrinkling and waves in the print. You can't skip this step -- wavy prints look really awful, especially when the prints are very large. I always have my prints mounted at Hangups Gallery on 70th and Pioneers. The staff is incredibly nice and they finish mounting jobs in just a few days. They will also mat your print if you'd like. Matting just adds a border to your print and it almost always means a more professional-looking piece.

3. You could also have Hangups frame the print, and if you have the money, I fully encourage you to do so. If you're looking to pinch pennies, though, you can buy really large frames for cheap at places like Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Just know that these stores cut the prices of their frames by 50% EVERY OTHER WEEK, so never buy frames for full price. Just wait a week and buy them for half off.

4. If you're buying a frame from one of these stores, understand that the the dimensions are NEVER accurate. So if you ask Hangups to mount a print at 20 x 30 and then mat it for a 24 x 36 frame, you can bet that you won't be able to make that print fit in the cheap 24 x 36 frame you bought. The solution? Ask Hangups to cut your matted print to a slightly smaller size, such as 23.25 x 35.25. This will make it MUCH easier to fit the print into your frame. Otherwise, you'll be stuck trying to wedge your huge, mounted print into a fussy frame...and this is an ugly, exasperating ordeal. Trust me.

5. Once the print is in the frame, to make a large print easy to hang and level, you'll want to attach framing wire to the back. This is as easy as putting two (short) screws through D-rings on the back of the frame, about 6 six inches from the top. Both bits of hardware are easy to find in the framing or hardware section of any hardware store in town. Then just string some heavy-duty framing wire through each D-ring and you'll be able to hang the print on a single, small nail that won't mess up your drywall.

The digital revolution means big prints are more affordable than ever before. Don't miss out on big prints -- they are an inexpensive way to totally change the look of any room in your house. Live with your art...it will change your life for the better.