High Cost of Cut Mats

I just went to Michael's to have a couple of 16x20" mats cut. WHEW! I didn't realize how much it was going to be. Nothing special but came to 18 dollars each. Guess I'll have to learn to cut my own.

We do a lot of competitions and exhibitions. We print 11x14 images on A3+ paper (13x19). We purchase precut mats that are 16x20 with an 11x14 opening from our local Blick store for less than $5 each. The 18x24 mats with 13.5x17.5 openings are less than $7.50.

After having a few mats custom cut I went to Michaels and bought a Logan Model 2000 Mat Cutter. I was able to use it with a heavy steel ruler that I have, but it really wasn't steady enough, so I went back the next week and got a Logan Adapt-A-Rule. I used their weekly 40%-off coupon each time, so it didn't cost all that much. Didn't take much practice to produce acceptable results. You can spend more and get fancier so I would suggest checking out what they have. I've been buying acid free sheets of mat board at Hobby Lobby.

Having a retailer cut mats is pretty expensive. I used to work in a frame shop and cut many mats using an old-style labor-intensive cutter that was very precise. I say "old-style" because many shops today use computerized tools that are template-driven while controlling the cutting device.

Nowadays when I have an exhibition of my own to prepare I'll usually outsource the work, especially if it is only a few mats to cut. Cutting mats for artwork that costs a few hundred dollars per piece requires zero errors, and in my experience there is a learning curve, especially if consumer-grade tools are being used.

To help keep costs down, I have used my network of artists and photographers to locate people who have the equipment and skill and can cut mats as a side gig. It's good to negotiate a "per hole" charge and then provide your own large mat boards. It's even better if you can purchase the boards from a wholesale distributor as you will be reselling them as part of the finished art piece.

Thanks for the inspiration, Rimmer. I've got a Logan 4000 mat cutter and tried it once but wasn't happy with my outcome. I'm going to get the Adapt-A-Rule (with my 40% off coupon) and give it another try. I really would like to be able to cut my own mats because of the odd size prints that I end up with. I'd be happy with just standard, simple mats.

Mark --

I thought the Logan rule really helped with getting and keeping things aligned. It has little rubber anti-slip strips on the bottom, and there are little plastic tabs that attach to the cutter and run in the track on the rule. I use a big plastic kitchen cutting board and cover it with scraps of mat board and cut on top of that. I lay out the cut lightly in pencil on the back of the mat and hope that my brain is engaged so that I am getting the bevel going in the right direction before I cut.

Oh, and I've been able to find acid free white mat board at Hobby Lobby fairly cheaply.

Check out golden state art.com for pre cut masts. I use them from time to time.

I can find pre cut mats pretty reasonably priced, but the odd ball sizes that I need aren't available off the shelf. I really do appreciate the advice that Rimmer has given me and will keep my eyes open for a large plastic cutting board to use.

mark48 wrote in post #16685105
I can find pre cut mats pretty reasonably priced, but the odd ball sizes that I need aren't available off the shelf. I really do appreciate the advice that Rimmer has given me and will keep my eyes open for a large plastic cutting board to use.

How big of a cutting mat are you looking for?

http://www.signwarehou​se.com/p-ENDURAMAT1824.html

drvnbysound wrote in post #16685642
How big of a cutting mat are you looking for?

http://www.signwarehou​se.com/p-ENDURAMAT1824.html

Thanks for the link. I think I'd like that. I don't plan on doing anything larger than 16x20. I really do appreciate all of the input and advice from everyone. Thanks to all.

This is what I use and it does a nice job. The learning curve is not all that high. Just remember measure twice, cut once. They also provide videos and cut calculators. I say do it yourself. Get those Michaels 40-50% coupons and you are set.

I've had a lot of problems with Golden State mats; they fade very easily and quickly. I now buy most of my mats from Frame Destination. Very good quality and choices in mat types.

Besides pre cut you can just sick your photos on the mat or use no mat at all.
Anyone remember dry mounting ??

mark48 wrote in post #16681456
I just went to Michael's to have a couple of 16x20" mats cut. WHEW! I didn't realize how much it was going to be. Nothing special but came to 18 dollars each. Guess I'll have to learn to cut my own.

18 bucks? I just picked up my mat from Michael's yesterday: 58 dollars.

I was kind of spoiled a few years ago back when I was doing framed prints of various film shots -- I had very close to where I lived both a very friendly and helpful place who worked with me to get my film developed through a lab and then to work with the lab to get enlargements done.

And then, just a few shops away was a crafts store. You could bring a print in, choose a frame and choose from a nice collection of mattes of various standard sizes, bring them to a little counter at the back of the store, and they would do the actual framing for you for free. That made my total cost for a a printed/framed/matted 11x14 to about $50, not too shabby!