Getting a Matte Finish on a Framed Metlicovitz Print
Most framing retailers sell Metlicovitz as an open edition with fixed options, so the matte finish you want usually comes from specifying glazing and paper yourself rather than from finding one perfect listing.
Buy the print and the frame separately, then specify matte glazing. Print-on-demand sellers offer matte paper, but their bundled frames almost always ship with glossy acrylic. A custom framer or a specialist framing service will fit matte art glass or matte acrylic over any Metlicovitz print, typically for 40 to 80 dollars beyond the print itself.
What matte finish actually means here
Matte can describe two different things, and listings blur them. The first is the paper surface, where matte stock kills glare and suits Metlicovitz's flat poster colour. The second is the glazing, the sheet that sits over the print. Bundled frames from large print-on-demand sites almost always come with a glossy acrylic cover, which is why a listing that says matte paper can still arrive shining.
If you want no glare at all, matte glazing is the specification that matters. Ask for matte art glass or a matte acrylic such as a non-glare grade. Expect the glazing upgrade to add roughly 40 to 80 dollars on a mid-sized frame, more on large formats. The paper choice still counts, but the glazing decides what you see on the wall.
Where to buy framed Metlicovitz with specific framing
Three routes work. The first is a local custom framer, which gives full control over matte glazing, mount colour and profile, and lets you check samples in person. The second is an online framing service where you upload or select the image and choose each component, including non-glare covers. The third is buying an unframed matte print and having it framed locally, which usually beats bundled options on finish.
The frustration with online stores is real and structural. Their framing options are fixed at a handful of profiles and a single glazing type, because customisation slows fulfilment. Rather than hunting for a listing that happens to match, treat the frame as a separate purchase. Metlicovitz's Ricordi-era posters are widely reproduced as open editions, so the print is easy to source and the specification is entirely in your hands.
Specifying the finish
- Request matte art glass or non-glare acrylic by name when ordering glazing.
- Choose a matte or lightly textured paper stock for the print itself.
- Ask to see glazing samples in person before committing to a large frame.
- Check that any mount or mat board is acid free and conservation grade.
What it should cost and what to check
A mid-sized Metlicovitz print on matte paper runs roughly 25 to 60 dollars unframed from major print retailers. Add a simple frame and you are commonly in the 90 to 180 dollar range. Custom framing with matte glazing pushes a large poster-format piece toward 200 to 400 dollars, which is the honest price of specifying components individually.
Before ordering, confirm three things in writing. That the glazing is genuinely matte rather than standard clear acrylic. That the paper finish is matte, not lustre or satin, since sellers use those terms loosely. And that the print is a reproduction of a Ricordi poster you can verify against a museum or archive image, because mislabelled versions circulate under his name.
A listing that says matte paper can still arrive behind glossy acrylic. The glazing, not the paper, decides what you see.
| Route | Matte glazing available | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| Bundled frame from print-on-demand site | Rarely | 90 to 180 dollars |
| Online framing service with component choice | Yes, specified at checkout | 150 to 300 dollars |
| Local custom framer | Yes, with samples | 200 to 400 dollars |
Rough costs for a poster-format framed print
Key takeaways
- Matte finish means two separate choices, paper surface and glazing, and retailers rarely make both for you.
- Bundled frames almost always ship with glossy acrylic, so treat framing as a separate purchase.
- Matte art glass or non-glare acrylic typically adds 40 to 80 dollars over standard glazing.
- Verify the image against a known Ricordi poster before buying, since mislabelled reproductions circulate.
Related questions
Does matte glazing dull the colours of an Art Nouveau poster?
Slightly, and honestly. Non-glare glazing diffuses light, which softens contrast a little at certain angles. On Metlicovitz's flat, high-contrast poster colour most people find the trade worth it, but check a sample against the print before ordering a large frame.
Can I remove the glossy acrylic from a bundled frame and replace it?
Usually yes. Standard acrylic sheets are cut to size and can be swapped for a matte or non-glare sheet from a framing supplier, often for 15 to 30 dollars on a mid-sized frame. Check the frame's retention clips before buying to make sure the glazing is accessible.
Is matte or glossy paper better for Metlicovitz reproductions?
Matte suits his work better. His posters were lithographs on uncoated stock, so a matte paper reads closer to the original surface. Glossy stock deepens colour but adds a photographic sheen that sits oddly against turn-of-the-century poster design.
From the Auvrique collection
Made to order · Every size
Every size, every country, delivery included
Editions are made to order and shipped worldwide. Choose a format and a size, and the price you see is the price you pay.
View the collectionGeneral art-historical background drawn from public museum records and standard reference literature. Pricing reflects Auvrique editions and is indicative only.