the high cost of custom framing/matting

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

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

;P

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 …randname=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 . 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

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 …=181011&brandna​me=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.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #4976035
That's what I was thinking... pre-cut mattes and standard sizes would cut the cost considerably.

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.

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..

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

http://www.framingsupp​lies.com …20301S%20Mat%20​Cutter.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.

SuzyView wrote in post #4970649
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?

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.

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

Glad to hear that Ryan - 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.

RAPhotography wrote in post #4983574
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

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:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=459308

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

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.

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.framing4you​rself.com …s_with_650_Mat_​Cutter.htm

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

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

www.CustomFrameSolutio​ns.com

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