Why 13x19?

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #19148614
Oh yeah, my first gallery show in 2006 I was able to borrow a Logan matte cutter, but the next time I bought my own. One gallery show, 20-30 framed prints, and the mat cutter is paid for many times over!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19148560
The ROI for buying a mat cutter then is about 5-6 photos based on those numbers.

And the simple possession of a decent mat cutter and a bit of skill with it makes it remarkably easy to stay in touch with old friends. <G>

How long does it take you to cut 30 mats? With the price of mats, this is something I've been thinking about. I see the Logan Compact Elite 32" is only $120. I see where I can get 4 ply 11x14 matboard for $1 each and backing board for 46¢ each. So, 100 11x14 mats with backboards and the cutter would be $2.66 each. That's not bad, depending on the time commitment.

MedicinSC wrote in post #19149315
How long does it take you to cut 30 mats? With the price of mats, this is something I've been thinking about. I see the Logan Compact Elite 32" is only $120. I see where I can get 4 ply 11x14 matboard for $1 each and backing board for 46¢ each. So, 100 11x14 mats with backboards and the cutter would be $2.66 each. That's not bad, depending on the time commitment.

As I'm procrastinating by reading this forum instead of updating my pricing spreadsheets...

...this keeps me thinking. Yeah, it keeps me thinking.

MedicinSC wrote in post #19149315
How long does it take you to cut 30 mats? With the price of mats, this is something I've been thinking about. I see the Logan Compact Elite 32" is only $120. I see where I can get 4 ply 11x14 matboard for $1 each and backing board for 46¢ each. So, 100 11x14 mats with backboards and the cutter would be $2.66 each. That's not bad, depending on the time commitment.

If you set up for the same size mats, then the time isn't too long at all to cut them. It is when you have to constantly change sizes, that is where time is spent (measure twice, cut once). If you are doing only 2 dimensions each time, it takes only a couple minutes to cut each mat.

MedicinSC wrote in post #19149315
How long does it take you to cut 30 mats? With the price of mats, this is something I've been thinking about. I see the Logan Compact Elite 32" is only $120. I see where I can get 4 ply 11x14 matboard for $1 each and backing board for 46¢ each. So, 100 11x14 mats with backboards and the cutter would be $2.66 each. That's not bad, depending on the time commitment.

I've used the Compact Classic and own the much pricier 750 something. If I had it to do again., I would get the Compact instead. The extra cost of the 750 was not even remotely worth it. In fact I think I liked using the Compact better.

I've not used the Compact Elite, that's a slightly newer option. For $20.00 more, I would be tempted.

It took me about two days, perhaps 12-14 hours or so. Almost no two were alike.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #19149490

MedicinSC wrote in post #19149315
How long does it take you to cut 30 mats? With the price of mats, this is something I've been thinking about. I see the Logan Compact Elite 32" is only $120. I see where I can get 4 ply 11x14 matboard for $1 each and backing board for 46¢ each. So, 100 11x14 mats with backboards and the cutter would be $2.66 each. That's not bad, depending on the time commitment.

I've used the Compact Classic and own the much pricier 750 something. If I had it to do again., I would get the Compact instead. The extra cost of the 750 was not even remotely worth it. In fact I think I liked using the Compact better.

I've not used the Compact Elite, that's a slightly newer option. For $20.00 more, I would be tempted.

It took me about two days, perhaps 12-14 hours or so. Almost no two were alike.

So, about 1/2 hour per mat? I like the cost savings, but the time investment might stop me from doing it.

moose10101 wrote in post #19149648
So, about 1/2 hour per mat? I like the cost savings, but the time investment might stop me from doing it.

That seems to be quite more than it really takes.

You just have to know your 2 dimensions, and you just set up up the slider for the one dimension, set two stops for the other dimension and make your cut, flip it around 180 and make the other cut. Rinse and repeat for the other dimension. I just mark the dimensions on the back of the mat along where the borders are, this serves as a reminder of each dimension and also what side to make the cut on.

- Measure your picture
- Cut the mat out to the size of the frame
- Measure the delta between picture and edge of mat, divide by 2, and annotate on the back
- Measure the delta between picture and edit of mat for other border, divide by 2 and annotate on the back
- Set up the slide for one of the dimensions, set your vertical stops for the other dimension and draw the blade
- Rotate 180 and make the 2nd cut
- Ditto these 2 steps for the other border size

You also don't need to use the stops if you don't want to, but make sure you draw the 4 lines to create the outline, but if I am doing several same size mats, setting the guides saves some time across several mats.

It is maybe 10 minutes a mat and less if you have multiple same size mats to cut.

If your border is uniform (all 4 borders the same size, this likely becomes a 5 minute thing, but I have yet to be that lucky on my mats.
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=pUVQepxSRpU

I have also created double mats, but you need double sided tape for this to adhere the two mats together and this adds a bit of time. My next project is to create multiple holes in a single mat for multiple pictures.

Picture framing tools and miter trimmer can be expensive.
A wife had a tiny garage sale.
She said it had to go because he never used it.
It was taking up too much space in the garage.
She accepted offer of $25.00

Yes, if we breach the subject of custom framing, that could get expensive and time consuming to be sure. Fortunately there seems to be always sales of frames at local craft shops to keep the costs and time for that down. Mats aren't so complicated, time consuming or expensive though if one wanted to do it themselves, and allows use of these discounted frames.

I would love to be able to build my own frames, but need to buy a Milwaukee M18 table saw first (need = want).

That wouldn't be too bad. Yeah, they'd be the same size and same print size. I'm just trying to think of ways to cut costs. So, if it only took me about an hour to cut 30-40 at a time, that wouldn't be to bad. That saves me $90 for about an hour of work. Seems pretty good to me. Hmmm....

Of course, that's not taking into account the time to assemble the mat with the backing board... but, I think that wouldn't take long. Place print, slide glue stick....

MedicinSC wrote in post #19153936
That wouldn't be too bad. Yeah, they'd be the same size and same print size. I'm just trying to think of ways to cut costs. So, if it only took me about an hour to cut 30-40 at a time, that wouldn't be to bad. That saves me $90 for about an hour of work. Seems pretty good to me. Hmmm....

Of course, that's not taking into account the time to assemble the mat with the backing board... but, I think that wouldn't take long. Place print, slide glue stick....

I use double sided photo tape and just be sure to cut the mats smaller than the photos, unlike what I did the first time around...

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19154034
...just be sure to cut the mats smaller than the photos, unlike what I did the first time around...

Good call... or print them slightly larger. I’m also thinking of getting a pro-1000. Not sure on that yet, though. I can’t find (or haven’t looked hard enough) good info on how many prints you get for the quantity of ink you fill with. I know it varies with settings, and image properties. Don’t know. We’ll see. It would definitely have to be after the holidays.

I have one of the Canon pro printers and have a chip resetter that allows me to refill the cartridges with German ink, keeps my printing costs very low.