Square or Round?

[jb5710]

I have always rounded off the corners of my ACEO's because I just prefer them that way and I think it gives them a softer look. But I got a message from a potential buyer the other day asking if my corners were round, after I confirmed that they were she emailed me back stating the reason she didn't buy from me was because she preferred square corners. Now it didn't break my heart about that because she was outbid and I would have had to mail to Australia and it clearly shows in my listings that I mail only to the U.S. But it made me think about the corner thing. Now I have sold hundreds of ACEO's and no one ever brought that up before but I was wondering what you guys think. Do people prefer square over round? By the way I thought people usually bought paintings because of the painting or drawing itself not because of the corners. JudyB

[poozybear]

I think it's really a personal preference. Speaking for myself, I prefer a square corner. I do have a few with rounded off corners, and they don't look like ACEOs to me. The size is supposed to be 3-1/2 x 2-1/2, so removing area from the corner changes those dimensions. I think other people may not like rounded edges because of framing problems. If you wanted to frame the ACEO, you would have to have a custom mat cut, or else do a float mount. If it went into a small frame with no mat, you'd see white space where the corners were trimmed. So it's possible that the person who contacted you places them in frames, and saw it as a problem. One thing you could do, is create them square, but give people the option of the rounded edges. They could be trimmed after the sale on buyer's request. -- Kathy

[jb5710]

Thanks Kathy - good advice. I'll probably leave them square from now on. JB

[suejo0101]

All mine are square. But I buy pre-cut chipboard & the seller cuts it with square corners. Personally - I have bought square corners AND round corners. Does not make a difference to me. Sue

[artistjillian]

My paintings and photos would never be rounded off. But it's different with collages. Though some I round ... actually MOST I round off, but some I don't - depends what the collage is of. Since they are 'playing card' size they are often done on playing cards which always have round corners. If you do round the corners (and even if you don't) - "float" mounting is a great way to frame them. You could always list with the option NOT to round off the corner. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[jb5710]

Jillian when you mentioned about "float mounting" that is the way my daughter did hers of mine and they look great - she has them mounted in 5 x 7 frames and has them grouped so they look really nice. Thanks for all the input and like you said Jillian, playing cards have rounded corners so if a person were either using them for collage or like some do, paint on the playing card itself the ends would be rounded. Actually the size across the middle of the card would still be the aceo size although corner to corner it would be shortned just a smidgen. I guess I could give the buyer an option to round or not to round. But from what I am gathering probably most buyers prefer the square although like I said, after selling hundreds of aceo's the subject never came up before and I never thought about it before. Anyway I appreciate everyone's input. JudyB

[poozybear]

Well, if you've sold hundreds, and only ONE person has had an issue, to heck with 'em. Do what works for YOU. Do you have a lot of repeat buyers? If so, they might like the rounded corners. The person who emailed you may not have bid anyway (a lot of people email questions, then don't bid). I would take care of your current customers. If you're painting them on a squared off card and rounding the corners by hand, you have nothing to lose by offering it as an option. But that can still cause problems, as buyers will have to specify what they want, and people don't read. Go with your gut. Your ACEOs are selling, your feedback is perfect, so you're obviously doing something right. No need to fix what isn't broken. Like I said, I prefer square edges, but round edges wouldn't deter me from buying. If I like the art, I'll buy it. Period. -- Kathy

[artistjillian]

Just in case I am going to frame conventionally I'd like paintings/art to be squared as most frames are. It actually doesn't affect the size - it is still 3.5 x 2.5" if you measure lengthwise. Some collage ACEOs are 'cathedral' shape for instance - flat bottom and arch coming to a peak at top - like a church window - and that is perfectly acceptable - as long as from mid bottom, to mid top is 3.5, and width is 2.5. Some ACEOs are concertina - several pages that open out. Opened out they aren't 2.5x3.5, but folded they are. And that also is allowed. As said, I wouldn't offer 'artwork' (painting/drawings) with rounded corners - though might if it resembled a playing card - such as king/queen/jack/joker. Because of framing. However collages sometimes need 'creative' framing, also rounded corners are less likely to damage paper layers - so, as said, I often round these. But there is no hard fast rule. So giving an option might be best, same as some offer a white border for framing purposes. Although I can understand this, and offered one this way to an artist friend who accepted - others have said to cut it off. For me, I prefer it cut off, as 'it's not an ACEO' (in my mind *lol* - I just had it drummed into my head too much). -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[frizz-art]

Art is about expressing yourself. If you like rounding the corners, round the corners. You can't please everyone.

[jb5710]

Kathy that person did bid but got outbid so if no one outbid her I don't know what that person would have done. I might have ended up with a problem and she also had low feedback so was new to ebay. I have scads of repeat customers in fact one owns 37 of my aceo's and another 31 to give just an example - so apparently they have never had an issue about the corners. I'm still debating about the situation. I might try square corners and see what happens, and I might go ahead and mention about rounding the corners if a person would like that. Gives me a little something new to do. Now if I can find time to paint more. I have just 4 on right now and am still painting my walls. My kitchen is completely redone now so I have all the walls to do. Yesterday I primed & also in the pantry so have to paint that today and the pantry shelves. It's kind of like moving into a new house because all the cabinets are different now and we have a lazy susan put in so we are trying to figure out where everything should go. We used to have counter burners and wall oven and now we put in a full stove with microwave hood all in black, love it. Our counter tops are formica but look like granite, shiny as all get out and black with different color specks in it so it picks up the colors around it, like the browns and since one wall I will be painting green it should pick up that color. We put in porcelain tile which has a really nice pattern to it and goes great next to our new wood floors. Our new modern sofa also was delivered a week ago, leather and color cappuccino which goes great with the new color on the wall - antique beige. We are like living in a new house. And after 25 years in this house it's about time:-) Sorry to go on about my house but I'm just tickled pink about it. Thanks for all your comments, good information. JudyB