the high cost of custom framing/matting

[RAPhotography]

I recently went to a local frame shop to matte and frame one of my photos for a gift to some family members. I was pretty suprised at how expensive this process is when puting together something of quality.

I am eventually working towards selling my photos and had planned to sell them as framed and matted pieces. Now I'm not so sure. I'd have to sell my pieces for a fortune just to recoup the cost of the frame, etc. I don't want to compromise quality and sell an inferior product. on the other hand, I doubt people are going to pay what I would have to charge.

what do others out there do? are there any quality, but, reasonably priced online services?

any advice is appreciated.

Ryan

[and.duncan]

If it helps, I think your photos are terrific.

I've often wondered if the 'high priced' framed pictures I've seen in galleries ever sell. However, looking around this forum a lot of people tend to undervalue their images. There's a few stories of people trying to sell their photos without success and finding out its because their prices are 'suspiciously low'.

It doesn't really help for when it's coming out of your pocket, but when you move on to selling your prints perhaps consider a price that can easily cover the frame etc. and leave you with compensation for your work as well.

[Uhland]

You need to make sure you state they are getting the frame and Matte with the print.
Add that into your cost. The price will be higher of course because they are getting your print PLUS frame.

[SuzyView]

I took a course in framing and matting. It was amazingly useful. I have tons of mats and a mat cutter from Europe. I hardly use them, but when I do, it's worth it. I buy frames from a shop that had just the frame, so I have to do the backing and the glass. Just to let you know. When you go to a shop, 2/3 of the cost of the framing is labor. That's why it's advantageous to take a course, have a relationship with a frame shop to use their facilities if you need to. In NJ, there was a shop that gave a huge discount if you framed the artwork yourself. There's nothing like that here, but still, it's worth investigating if you do it a lot. I know local photographers who frame their own work always.

[Uhland]

Do you remember the name of the place in Jersey?

[RAPhotography]

thanks for the replies and the thank you for the compliment, and.duncan.

Just to put it in perspective for everyone, and wondering if this may change what people say, i'll let you know that the cost of framing a 16 x 24 print with high quality matting, moderate width wood frame, acid backing, uv glass, labor, and mounting would have been arount $550. Granted, this is only one shop that I visited and I plan to do some shopping around.

Anyway, If I were to then sell this photo, I probably wouldn't put anything less than a $750 - $800 price tag on it (also figuring in the print cost).

To me, that seems pretty steep for a "no-name" photographer. but, maybe I'm thinking about this all wrong. I do suppose that people who are shopping for artwork will know what they are getting and will appreciate the high quality display. However, It also seems that this price tag would limit the venues where I could display/sell the artwork. I doubt most people are going to buy a $800 fine art print along with their morning latte . . . so Starbuck's is out.

Anyway, just some thoughts and considering my strategies. Thanks for your help.

Ryan

[SuzyView]

Can't remember but it was in Milburn/Short Hills on the main drag to about 5 miles south of the Short Hills Mall.

[Dermit]

For that same $550 you can get a VERY nice mat cutter. Then you can cut all your own mats from now on (it's fun) and if you cut them to a standard external dimension you can buy cheaper off the shelf frames instead of having custom ones built. This is exactly how I do it and for the same reason you are running into.

[Woolburr]

Like Suzie said...the labor is a big part of the framing and matting costs. A class at your local CC will show you how easy it is to do a great job without spending a small fortune.

[SuzyView]

I got a mat cutter off of ebay, cost around $250 and it is huge, can cut up to 4 feet wide. But take a class, best $100 you'll ever spend.

[bildeb0rg]

Just to put it in perspective for everyone, and wondering if this may change what people say, i'll let you know that the cost of framing a 16 x 24 print with high quality matting, moderate width wood frame, acid backing, uv glass, labor, and mounting would have been arount $550.
Ryan

I was recently qouted £160 ($320) for a custom 40"x60" frame/matte/board. Needless to say I snapped their hands off, and pick it up in two weeks time.:D

[Zansho]

Wow. 550 bucks for a framed photo and the like? Man. I'm in the wrong business lol. For that though, you can get an awesome mat cutter, possibly a nice band saw or miter saw, and make your OWN custom frames. And the glass can be had pretty easily, just go shopping at your local arts supply stores.

... wow. 550 bucks. I should open a framing shop.

[tofuboy]

Buy a pre-made frame, buy pre-cut mat, buy backing, and some tape. Read up on how to assemble the mat, picture, and backing... then just put it in the frame and you're ready to go... for a lot less than $550.

Perhaps it won't be as fancy as what a frame shop would custom make, but sometimes simplicity is better. Stick with standard sizes, and you'll save a lot of money (or profit a whole lot more)!

[photoguy6405]

That's what I was thinking... pre-cut mattes and standard sizes would cut the cost considerably.

[slappy sam]

I took a course in framing and matting. It was amazingly useful. I have tons of mats and a mat cutter from Europe. I hardly use them, but when I do, it's worth it. I buy frames from a shop that had just the frame, so I have to do the backing and the glass. Just to let you know. When you go to a shop, 2/3 of the cost of the framing is labor. That's why it's advantageous to take a course, have a relationship with a frame shop to use their facilities if you need to. In NJ, there was a shop that gave a huge discount if you framed the artwork yourself. There's nothing like that here, but still, it's worth investigating if you do it a lot. I know local photographers who frame their own work always.

Interesting, you buy just the frame from them (fully assembled or not)? And then you buy bulk mat, cut with cutter, buy glass already cut or cut yourself? And you buy bulk backing as well?

Doesn't seem like that much "labor" to put it all together, but to do all that I could see how it would take a bit of time.

[djscrib]

And over in the custom framing forums, one can imagine a post

"How GWMCs (Guy With Matte Cutter) are ruining the business"

;P

[sapearl]

I started cutting my own mats 35 years ago with a simple straight edge and xacto knife. I used a Sealmount dry mounting press to attach my prints to the illustration and/or matting board.

I got tired of that old method and vowed to make things easier and more precise when I got into digital. This is what I purchased last year, a Logan 750 Simplex Plus mat cutter:

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=1813&subclassID=181311&brandname=Logan&item=48715

It is really a wonderful, precision device that has made life MUCH easier for me. You can really bang out the mats pretty fast with this baby :D. I bought it from my local Utrecht art supply house using one of their 30% off coupons, so there was considerable savings.... quite similar to mail order. I have nothing against buying online, but I do like to support my local vendors especially when they always give me quick informal training, show me tips and time saving tricks. - Stu

[sapearl]

There is some truth to that. I always try to stick with standard frame sizes, but pre-cut mattes can get quite expensive. You achieve your big savings when you purchase your matting material in 32x40 sheets which is a standard size sold in art stores and supply houses.

Using that 32x40 you can get two entire sets out of it: two cut matts, and then the backer board that you would hinge your print onto. And if you save the "hole" that you cut when you made the 16x20, you can use that later for a smaller project like and 11x14, 8x10, etc.

When matting for show or exhibit, a plain black frame of either wood or metal is always a good "neutral" choice. I use Nielson which is easy to find:

http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_products.cfm?classID=1810&subclassID=181011&brandname=Nielsen

although there are some other similar "knock-offs" out there. They are cheaper, some are fine, you just have to check the quality. The Nielson's very easily assemble with a screw driver and my wife helped me with the last exhibit. You can mix and match the lengths and assemble just about any size frame you need.

I get the glass from the place that sells my album supplies.

That's what I was thinking... pre-cut mattes and standard sizes would cut the cost considerably.

[strmrdr]

http://www.racinphoto.com/index.html

These guys are really reasonable for the quality level.
A friend of mine ordered from them not long ago and the frame was stunning.
He got the: Frame With Crystal Clear Acrylic, Foamboard & Hanging Kit and bought the matting from them also.
I was 1/3 the price and better quality wood than the local shop offered.

[CyberDyneSystems]

A good matte cutter costs less than ONE custom framing job..

The Logan matte cutter that sells for about $200.00 is a great unit! I have the next step up (about $300.00 ) but having used both, I think the $200.00 one is by far the better deal.

If your selling framed photos you HAVE to get a matte cuter, and roll your own.

There are many good frames available fro reasonable prices, and if you really need custom sizes there are also systems that let you make custom sizes, but thsi is getting more involved in tools and glass cutting etc..

[sapearl]

A lot of folks who do smallish matte jobs also like the Logan 301S:

http://www.framingsupplies.com/Logan/Logan%20301S%20Mat%20Cutter.htm

You can get it on the web for under $80. It's very compact easy to use, and does a great job but won't take large boards as conveniently as the bigger models. You can't beat the price though for what you get.

[Curtis N]

take a class, best $100 you'll ever spend.For those of us in educationally deprived areas, can anyone recommend any good books for the photog wanting to do his own framing?

[Gary Lindquist]

I use a Logan 3000 PushStyle matt cutter ($30.00). This tool is for cutting 45 degree angles. Works great. You just need to change the blade often and practice cutting perfect windows out of ragboard, or whatever board you choose to use. Getting the corners just right is tricky but, with a little practice, it can be done perfectly almost every time.

Cutting matts to size can be done with an Xacto knife or any good blade tool. Just be sure to change blades often. They are cheap.

To use either of these tools you will need a heavy metal straight edge. Most straight edges will slip but it is pretty simple to use some spray rubber adhesive and mount sandpaper stripes to the back of the straight edge so that the straight edge will not slip.

I also have a Bogen dry mount press that can mount an image using archival dry mounting sheets up to 16x20. It's a big one and weighs a ton!

I buy all of my ragboard, backing board and black anodized Style #15 frames from Daniel Smith out of Seattle, Washington (used to live in Seattle so I have chosen to keep using their online services to order this stuff). You can have them cut the frame pieces for you so that you can get whatever size you want. This metal frame is sturdy enough for pretty large images.

The glass is simple enough to get locally.

I do like to do all of this myself and can do precise work. It is quite simple, really, and much less expensive than having a frame shop do it for you. And, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is done perfectly; whereas, a frame shop will not necessarily have your best interests at heart.

[RAPhotography]

lots of good avice here. I plan on checking into some classes and will likely purchase my own matte cutter sometime in the future.

thanks again,

ryan

[sapearl]

Glad to hear that Ryan :D - I've got some pictures somewhere of me using the Logan Matte cutter. If I find them I'll try to remember to post them.

lots of good avice here. I plan on checking into some classes and will likely purchase my own matte cutter sometime in the future.

thanks again,

ryan

[sapearl]

Rather than hijack this thread, I started a new one if anybody is interested which shows how I operate my Logan Model 750 Simplex mat cutter:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459308

I purchased it several months ago and it's already more than paid for itself.

[SuzyView]

The instructor I took the course from said there wasn't anything (book) out there he'd recommend because his way was easiest, so he made a manual for us. It was really well done. I think I can ask for a copy for you, Curtis.

[sapearl]

Here is quite an excellent online tutorial (designed to sell Logan mat cutters of course :lol:) which lays out each step pretty well:

http://www.framing4yourself.com/equipment-supplies/How_to_cut_mats_with_650_Mat_Cutter.htm

They show the model 650, but many of the principles are the same.

[David Langcaster]

This is a good place to get custom frames. They have the lowest cost I've seen anywhere...

www.CustomFrameSolutions.com (http://www.CustomFrameSolutions.com)

They have great quality and fast service. They don't do matting, backing, or glass though, only frames made to your dimensions.