Frames & Mats

I've been searching past topics on these items on here in the forums and really am needing more suggestions to see if there might be any cheaper alternatives. I'm looking for double mats, white on outer and black on inner with a black contemporary frame to fit the typical 11 x 14, 13x 19, and larger prints. I've been looking at americanframe.com already.

Any other suggestions and reviews on product and service from the business would be appreciated.

I often purchase frames from Dick Blick art supply at www.dickblick.com/zz170/83/

They make a line of simple contemporary gallery hardwood frames in cherry, black and creme finishes that are quite affordable and have recesses plenty deep enough for your double matting. They come with a backing to go behind the image and plexi instead of glass. The backing isn't much good because it sheds black flakes, and I generally have my prints mounted on foamcore where I get them ordered so I don't need a separate backing. I also get my glass separately because I hate plexi over photos.

I prefer simple frames and matting no matter whose work I'm framing because I believe the work should shine more brightly than its surroundings, and the blick frames are often the ones I go with.

Mitch, I've been pleased with the quality of mats and frames from Light Impressions ( http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping ). I've never used the types of mats you are describing, but they carry quite a variety of archival material.

Mitch, & everyone else. Pre-fab packaged matts are never going to look professional & hiring them cut is expensive & time consuming. So many photographers are so good at getting great photos & prints but fall short of framing the work artistically. You can get a dependable matt cutter for $200-$400. (Can't get good results with a straight-edge or a cutter on a single bar. With a 40" table top cutter with lift up bar - you can cut matts & mounting boards to size. Photographers are savvy enough to layout & cut matts - Single, double, triple beveled windows or more is easy. When I purchased my first matt cutter I had only 5 minutes of instruction and was able to immediately create quality matts & multiple windows. Logan makes some that cut perfect corners, ie. Logan #750 - 40", #760 - 60". Then purchase archival matt & mounting boards from a frame supply. Some stores or online retailers sell metal frame lengths in 1-inch increments. You could stock an assortment of size legs plus a box of corners & hanging hardware. This way you can customize to your print size & never be at the mercy of a store or frame shop. You will easily recoup your equipment expense. Later, I may post a matt cutting tutorial if you guys are interested.

Pat Warfield

We cut our own mats, too, using a Logan like Pat does. Great for custom sized stuff.

Thanks for all the input from everyone!

I have been looking at the option of making my own mats. I just have to convince my wife of having another LARGE photography object taking up precious room in our house............... I think I will probably go that route. Currently I am going to print my own pictures with an Epson R 1800. Do you think the Logan Compact 301 is big enough?

The Logan Compact 301 is not big enough to be really useful, says it cuts 29". So how will you cut pieces from full size matt board? Priced at around $90 makes it look like an attractive solution. But you would need another board cutter to cut matboards to size (straight cut) as well as the windows. If the blanks are not true & square the windows will be off as well making it impossible to cut multi-mats. Mat & mount boards are 32x40 & 40x60. The Logan simplex 750 straight side & squaring arm will cut & true-up your blanks, then use the bevel & also keeping the blank against the squaring arm will give very fine results.

I don't know all the cutters available - most professional cutters are 2-3 times the cost of these Logans - & may hold up longer under heavy & extensive use.

For space saving & preserving the cutter: Mount the cutter on a substantial board, then make a box to cover - it which will double as a working table top. When not used, you can store it against a wall or in a closet.

Pat Warfield

I've tried cutting my own mats, and the results have always been sub-par. And it's been a big hassle. I've been using American Frame for all frames and mats, and been extremely happy with the quality and cost. Overall, a much better looking product than if I would try to do it myself. It's the same reason I don't change my own oil. Someone else can do it better and faster for me, and it only costs a little more.

If you have the time to cut and frame your own images great, I prefer like Brent to give it to someone and go off and shoot more images