the high cost of custom framing/matting

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

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.

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.

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.

Do you remember the name of the place in Jersey?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

RAPhotography wrote in post #4968240
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.

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.

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)!

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

SuzyView wrote in post #4967896
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.