Anyone Cut their own mats ?

[ottor]

Do you cut, or do you purchase pre-cut? I just did my first one, and am excited about saving some bucks - it turned out perfect...

r

[5Dmaniac]

I cut my own - I get the sheets from Blick Art Supply and cut them to size. I like using non-standard print sizes and there just aren't any pre-cut mats available.

[sapearl]

Hi Rick - yes. I've been cutting my mats since the 70's but only recently wised up and purchased a decent Logan mat cutter last year; should have done it a lot of sooner. It would have saved me a lot of grief, aggravation and wasted mat board. Here's a link you may find interesting about my experience:

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

I buy 4-ply bright white 100% cotton museum board from:

http://www.archivalmethods.com/category.cfm?categoryid=7&gclid=CLi1ptONh54CFSUMDQodAwvxoA

in 16x20 sheets. I print on 13x19 paper, and then cut the mat in such a way that it will give a 2" or more border on each dimension. I hinge the print on the back and then add the backer sheet to complete it. All of this goes into a 16x20 plain black Nielsen frame. - Stu

[Mark1]

I used to cut my own. Way easier to get odd sizes. But I have not mat and framed anything in a long time.

[FlyingPhotog]

Logan cutter here as well.

I don't do them by the 100's but it's a nice adjunct activity in support of my photography.

It's a nice touch to be able to give someone a properly matted and backed image.

[sapearl]

Hey there Jay - good seeing you :D.

I tend to cut them in bulk after I've accumulated a number of prints, but certainly not in the 100's either. If I have a show coming up or competition that's when the activity will start. And I completely agree, there's nothing more pleasing then a properly presented, matted print.;)


Logan cutter here as well.

I don't do them by the 100's but it's a nice adjunct activity in support of my photography.

It's a nice touch to be able to give someone a properly matted and backed image.

[FlyingPhotog]

Hiya Stuart! :D

[5Dmaniac]

Do any of you dry-mount your prints or do you just tape them to the mat? I still dry-mount mine (it's an old habit from the wet darkroom days) but always wonder if I should not switch. WHat exactly do you use if you don't dry-mount your prints?

[sapearl]

I used to drymount also..... back in the day, using an old Seal drymount press. I'd considered that avenue also when I moved to digital, but have not drymounted in years. The thing is your are "destroying" the print in a sense when you permanently mount, glue, fuse, etc. it to another surface. Once it's glued or drymounted to board it would be damaged if you tried to remove it.

I talked to other artists and photographers about this and they all agree that "hinging" the picture to a mat is the proper way of handling it. Basicially you line up the print on the back of the hole of the mat, and then you make two (artist) tape hinges at the top to hold the print in place. This allows you or a potential future buyer to remove it from the mat if they choose another arrangement. The hinge is illustrated in this link:

http://www.danielsmith.com/content--id-66

Do any of you dry-mount your prints or do you just tape them to the mat? I still dry-mount mine (it's an old habit from the wet darkroom days) but always wonder if I should not switch. WHat exactly do you use if you don't dry-mount your prints?

[TeeJay]

Rick,

I cut my own, have done for a while now, its much more flexible than having to keep various sizes. I use a Longridge Mount Cutter - that's a UK system, but dont know where you are as you havent filled out your "Location" in your sig)

BTW: The link to your website produces a "404 - Page not found error"

TJ

[sapearl]

Rick - you don't have to spend a ton of money on a mat cutter to get a good one. The Logan line starts at under $100, and various online companies often have sales, discounts, coupons, that sort of thing.

Mine is the Logan 750 because I knew there would be days I'd be cutting down large 32x40 stock.. Normally that goes for over $300 but I found a 33% off coupon from Utrecht (art supply firm) which made the purchase more reasonable. What I like about it is the track system. The blade/cutter has a groove that locks it into the straight edge. Previously I was alwasy "sliding away" from the metal ruler and making wavy cuts. This helps to avoid that, and once you get your measurements set up you can bang the things out pretty fast.

[randolph45]

Rick - you don't have to spend a ton of money on a mat cutter to get a good one. The Logan line starts at under $100, and various online companies often have sales, discounts, coupons, that sort of thing.

Mine is the Logan 750 because I knew there would be days I'd be cutting down large 32x40 stock.. Normally that goes for over $300 but I found a 33% off coupon from Utrecht (art supply firm) which made the purchase more reasonable. What I like about it is the track system. The blade/cutter has a groove that locks it into the straight edge. Previously I was alwasy "sliding away" from the metal ruler and making wavy cuts. This helps to avoid that, and once you get your measurements set up you can bang the things out pretty fast.

This is new to me,I did buy a Logan mat system 32 inch. I want to mat and frame a 12x36 panorama print .My ? is where did you get 32x40 stock?

[agphotography]

When I used to shoot 4x5 and medium format I used to do my own window mounts with a logan beveled edge cutter. It was easy and looked great!

[Woolburr]

I do all my own framing and matting using a Logan mat cutting system...get my bulk supplies from these guys....http://www.framingsupplies.com/ I buy my mats in 32x40 sheets...although they do occasionally have a special on bulk cut 16x20 mats...standard for 11x14 prints. I also stopped dry mounting stuff and use the hinge mount on all my prints using the same technique Stuart linked.

[sapearl]

Hi Dan - Framingsupplies.com is a pretty good place... I almost bought my Logan there but was fortunate to receive a 1/3 off coupon in the mail for the local Utrecht art supply store :D.

Sometimes I buy the larger 32x40 sheets which that Logan will easily handle but I really don't enjoy the "cut down" process. You do need a large table or cleared work area - that latter is not always available :rolleyes:. I do like to get the bulk 16x20 when it's available.

BTW - nice fine art gallery on your site. Looks like you and I see some of the "same light" although mine is in urban/industrial areas.

I do all my own framing and matting using a Logan mat cutting system...get my bulk supplies from these guys....http://www.framingsupplies.com/ I buy my mats in 32x40 sheets...although they do occasionally have a special on bulk cut 16x20 mats...standard for 11x14 prints. I also stopped dry mounting stuff and use the hinge mount on all my prints using the same technique Stuart linked.

[aram535]

I finally wised up and bought the framers edge logan as well. I'm loving it so far. I buy the 36x40 25 pack from the local distributer. It can be frustrating if you make a mistake and I ruined about 3-4 sheet learning how to do it right, but after that it's been clear sailing.

One thing I learned very quick is to make sure the edges are all plum and 90 degrees, otherwise you cut the <bleep> out of the underside.

[EnglishBob]

Cut my own, again with a Logan mat cutter.

[krb]

I also have a Logan mat cutter. I got a great deal on it but then it sat in storage for over a year because I thought it would be too much effort. Then I actually used it and realized how easy it is to get some great looking stuff and have been hooked ever since.

I use 3M "positionable adhesive" to attach the print to the backing.

[EnronRocks]

Ever since I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time, I have stopped framing or anything of that nature. Last picture I had framed only cost me $30.00, and they did a amazing job.

[JLC]

Michaels always seems to have 40 to 60% off coupons and they sell the logan cutter.

Jim C

[aztecdaz]

Im a pro picture framer, mats, or mounts as we call them are second nature. All my images are drymounted ( stuck to board) then mounted in varous ways. i.e double mount, triple mount with varied border sizes, Single mounted with gold fillet etc.

If anyone needs any advice on framing or mounting etc, give me a shout. I have extensive experience in just about everything framing and mounting.

[FlyingPhotog]

Im a pro picture framer, mats, or mounts as we call them are second nature. All my images are drymounted ( stuck to board) then mounted in varous ways. i.e double mount, triple mount with varied border sizes, Single mounted with gold fillet etc.

If anyone needs any advice on framing or mounting etc, give me a shout. I have extensive experience in just about everything framing and mounting.

Thanks for chiming in and offering to help! Very kind of you... :D

[aztecdaz]

Thanks for chiming in and offering to help! Very kind of you... :D


No problem, such a great site, ive been lurking around for months, but just got round to joining and posting.

[airfrogusmc]

I cut my own. I usually use 4 ply white museum board acid free linen type cut and hinge the over-mat which is also usually 4 ply white museum board.

[FlyingPhotog]

No problem, such a great site, ive been lurking around for months, but just got round to joining and posting.

Well Welcome!! :D

[sapearl]

Welcome to POTN aztec - hope you stick around for a while. There's a lot of great stuff one can learn here. If not for all these good folks, my transition to digital would have been far more expensive and painful.

I'm not trying to be critical, but I do have to ask about dry mounting since you are a pro.

I know that was done extensively in the past - used to do it myself - but I thought conventional practice today was to hinge/tape the photographic print to the mat. The feeling is that permanently attaching the image to another mounting surface somewhat destroys it. Do you mount in both fashions?

Im a pro picture framer, mats, or mounts as we call them are second nature. All my images are drymounted ( stuck to board) then mounted in varous ways. i.e double mount, triple mount with varied border sizes, Single mounted with gold fillet etc.

If anyone needs any advice on framing or mounting etc, give me a shout. I have extensive experience in just about everything framing and mounting.

[aztecdaz]

Welcome to POTN aztec - hope you stick around for a while. There's a lot of great stuff one can learn here. If not for all these good folks, my transition to digital would have been far more expensive and painful.

I'm not trying to be critical, but I do have to ask about dry mounting since you are a pro.

I know that was done extensively in the past - used to do it myself - but I thought conventional practice today was to hinge/tape the photographic print to the mat. The feeling is that permanently attaching the image to another mounting surface somewhat destroys it. Do you mount in both fashions?


Hi and thanks for the warm welcome, yes im sure i will learn a great deal off the site.

as for dry mounting, I do it many ways. The reason i dry mount my own work is theres nothing worse than seeing little bumps and creases etc.

The board I use is heat activated, so for a perm finish, I put in in a hot press which bonds the paper permanently.

As for hinging the image, i tend to hinge it to a backing piece of mount card, then place the cut mount over this, sticking it to the backing board, holding it all in place. when hinging it, i use ph neutral conservation tape.

I find most photographers where i come from usually just hinge to the back of the mount and fire it in a cheap frame. I always drymount as it gives a mich more pro finish, and will stay flat withough bumps for many many years

[mwdakota]

Logan again, I received the Logan 525 kit as a gift and was rather disappointed. It sat around for almost 3 months before I even opened it. Then I needed an odd size matte so decided to give it a try… It has been the best gift I have received! I cut anywhere from 1 or 2 mattes to several. I Just mounted a set of prints for a family wedding/portrait session that was over 75 mattes including an 18x24; I wouldn’t live without it!
BTW it couldn’t be easier to use also.

[Eldorf_Dragonsbane]

Last time I had done any mat cutting was back when I took Art in High School, which was about 12 years ago.

I did just get my own Logan Compact Mat Cutter a couple weeks ago and picked up the Logan Oval & Circle Mat Cutter this last week. I also picked up the Logan Studio Joiner and Logan Fitting tool so I can also do my own framing to go with the Jorgensen Plastic Presicion Miter Saw that I picked up brand new in box at a garage sale . Now I need to do is get additional blades for the mat cutters along with v-nails and points for the frames. Also looking at getting a router table and router so I can cut my own frame moulding out of 1x2 furring strips.

The main advantages of cutting your own mats is the ability cut your mats to the sizes you need and that cutting your own custom mats is cheaper then special ordering custom cut mats. The same goes with doing your own custom framing. The main disadvantages is the space needed, the time it consumes, and possibly the initial set up cost (once you have the Mat Cutter system your only other cost will be for the consumables such as the replacement blades and mat board, for frames (and mounting of the image into the frame) once you have the tools the only other cost you have will be for consumables such as replacement saw blades, sand paper, v-nails, points, moulding, glazing (the glass), backing material, and the linen tape/photo mounting corners/glue/etc... that you use to mount the image to either the mat board or the backing).