Framing and Matting

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Permalink Reply by Allison whitt on July 29, 2008 at 8:12pm

You know, I had to have a pretty large photographic print matted and framed last year for a gallery show, and after pricing several places out, I found that "The Great Frameup" chain is pretty reasonable....given that you catch them when they're having a 50% off sale. I would also try doing a google search for online framing places, although you probably won't get the custom mat, but I know I had looked into kits with the good low-glare glass that were pretty reasonable. And invest in a good mat cutter! It'll save you loads down the road.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Jaboor on July 29, 2008 at 8:23pm

That's not a chain that I'm familiar with. I'll definitely check them out though, thanks for the lead. I don't do enough (yet) to justify buying a mat cutter. I've looked online and found a few leads but it's nice sometimes to be able to walk in with a recommendation. I put all of my own stuff together, but cutting mats is my Achilles heel.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Polege on July 30, 2008 at 7:46am

Framedestinations.com has been real good to me. I found frame kits for 35mm proportions for a good price which is not an easy thing to do...at least for me.

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Permalink Reply by JallenDragonhide on August 3, 2008 at 11:26am

I'm not a big fan of big huge chains.... but in a pinch, I've used Hobby Lobby in Kirkwood- I bring in the prints I want to frame 16x20- and it's always printed non-standard sized because of cropping.

They measure my print and mat out the white print areas and cut me 3 custom mats for it at $9 each to fit a 18x24 frame.. They did it while I waited just 10 mins.

It was a good deal to me. I've cut my own mats for past exhibits- very frustrating!!! I'll never never EVER do it again if I can help it.. lol

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Permalink Reply by Dan Jaboor on August 3, 2008 at 11:54am

I have gone to Hobby Lobby as well, and had similar experiences. I also went to get a couple made at the above recommended 'Great Frame Up" a day or two ago........terrible experience. The lady helping me was not able to listen to what I asked. I went in with a stack of black and white pictures and one color. I told her that I wanted a black mat for the black and whites and that I was going to do something different with the other one, perhaps green with a red inner.....and set that picture to the side. The lady goes and rummages through a couple racks and then comes back with a grey mat sample and puts it on top of the color picture. I was floored but I stuck it out. It took forever to get 2 mats the way I wanted and then she tells me they won't be ready for a week........

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Permalink Reply by Rob Miller on August 7, 2008 at 12:09pm

If you can put it together yourself, you can't beat www.americanframe.com I use them and have heard numerous endorsements.
Rob

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Permalink Reply by Richard Hempen on August 8, 2008 at 7:48pm

I frame and mat photos and drawings on a small scale in my small shop.
-Richard Hempen
vonschoenfeld@yahoo.com

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