Mat and Frame photos: I have made a decision to being producing picture frames and mat my photos in my shop. Question, does anyone have knowledge concerning what matting system would...

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

I have made a decision to being producing picture frames and mat my photos in my shop.

Question, does anyone have knowledge concerning what matting system would best serve my goal.

At present, I do not anticipate working with photos larger than 11 X 14 or maybe 14 X 20

ALTO EX MAT, Inc. appears to be a key player at this end of the photo business but I do not have experience or knowledge to direct me to the initial package that would get me going and I do wish to avoid overkill.
Thank you,
:oops:

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

KeithF199 wrote:

I have made a decision to being producing picture ... (show quote)

Dick Blick Art Supplies carries a the large line of Logan Brand mat cutters as well as other supplies.

http://www.dickblick.com/search/?q=logan&sp_cs=UTF-8

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

Thank you birdpix, am looking at the logan product.

:thumbup:

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I use a Logan mat cutter and it does the job. It is thirty years old and I presume the new ones are better. I have a dry mount press and dry mounting is the gold standard.

Many prints are centered for mounting. While easy to do, other artists and photographers prefer that the print be closer to the top than the bottom. You can guess at this offset or use and easy formula. I can send it to you if you wish.

Sheila B

Abc123, can you explain your dry mount system and how it works?

Trevor Dennis Loc: New Zealand (South Island)

Most people I know use Logan products. I have a Logan 301s which is now retired, and a Logan 450 which works a wee bit better, and is big enough to put a full sheet of matt board under. There are lots of videos on their site, but it is not hard to do.

http://www.logangraphic.com/

Prints are definitely a dying breed in my camera clubs competitions, and also in New Zealand National salons and exhibitions. It is so time absorbing and expensive to produce a print, whereas a digital entry is about as hard as uploading an image to this website. Its a pity because there is so much more detail in a print, but I am as guilty as anyone when I can be bothered to enter at all!

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

Please do, I prefer to learn as much for experienced others like you, rather than go up the learning curve backwards like I often to. How would you prefer to share your data and I will be pleased to accomidate.

Thank you for your response.

Keith

abc1234 wrote:

I use a Logan mat cutter and it does the job. It is thirty years old and I presume the new ones are better. I have a dry mount press and dry mounting is the gold standard.

Many prints are centered for mounting. While easy to do, other artists and photographers prefer that the print be closer to the top than the bottom. You can guess at this offset or use and easy formula. I can send it to you if you wish.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Sheila B wrote:

Abc123, can you explain your dry mount system and how it works?

This explains better than I can. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKdf48lQTYQ The big expense is the dry mount press. You can probably find a used one. I have prints that are sixty years old and still as flat as the day they were mounted. And they show no deterioration that spray adhesives may cause.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Trevor Dennis wrote:

Most people I know use Logan products. I have a L... (show quote)

Alas, the mounted print. I knew him well.

However, a framed, matted and mounted print marks you as a serious photographer. The digital crowd does not get it. Do you take as much pride in that picture on the a computer monitor as one hanging on a wall? And how often do you see and share that computer image?

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

Sir, I agree, I have refitted my shop with a much better mitre saw and router table for the wood portion but want to learn and mount my work. I am in the process of going through the Logan products, I thank you for your response, I do prefer to learn from experienced individuals first then move forward.
Again, thank you for your help.

Keith

Trevor Dennis wrote:

Most people I know use Logan products. I have a L... (show quote)

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

KeithF199 wrote:

Please do, I prefer to learn as much for experienc... (show quote)

Check my response to SheilaB. If you want the positioning information, let me know.

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

I am very interested in the dry mount process. I watch half of the U tube video and will conclude the viewing in a few.

You are very helpful and I thank you, understanding the process from start to finish is key to my work.

Thank you for taking to the time to help, it is appreciated.

Keith

abc1234 wrote:

Sheila B wrote:

Abc123, can you explain your dry mount system and how it works?

This explains better than I can. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKdf48lQTYQ The big expense is the dry mount press. You can probably find a used one. I have prints that are sixty years old and still as flat as the day they were mounted. And they show no deterioration that spray adhesives may cause.

cfusco3

Logan. From experience, buy the most expensive one you can find. I started off small, found I liked it, upgraded to do more,upgraded again. I now do matting / framing for friends, etc. kinda like my needle point. Wish I was given the direction to go big at the start. Would have saved some overall dollars.

KeithF199 Loc: Frisco, Texas

I like your advise, I have set aside a room for mounting and framing my photos and tend to agree, the logan 750 -1 and 760-1 are in consideration at present, comments are invited.

Keith

cfusco3 wrote:

Logan. From experience, buy the most expensive one you can find. I started off small, found I liked it, upgraded to do more,upgraded again. I now do matting / framing for friends, etc. kinda like my needle point. Wish I was given the direction to go big at the start. Would have saved some overall dollars.

cfusco3

At 35,000 feet heading for Punta Cana for a week and am bad with numbers. The one I love handles a full size matt board. I think it has artist elite in the name. Can confirm Friday week, but if you are like me, that is too late.
Key is handling a full size board with guides and capable of straight and angled cuts.