allanj Loc: New York City

I have used Frame Destination on around six or seven occasions. Each time I would order complete packages (frames, mats, glass, etc) for one to three prints. No special skills or tools needed to produce a nicely framed print. Very dependable -- no problems. Relatively inexpensive. The prints are hanging on my or friends' walls.

Bob Werre

I've followed pretty much what Suntouched has done. I bought a fairly large matte cutter that does bevels. I bought the matte boards wholesale, then purchased metal jointed frames in black in various lengths. Most of my display work hung in group shows so the black applied to all who hung work. Cutting the mattes is something you need to do all at one time to get the procedure down.

In my business, the main purpose of the cutter was to actually cut smaller mattes to display 8 X 10 transparencies that were made for my portfolio from small format slides. I'd cut a beveled widow in a 11 x 14 board then cut a similar window in thin black stock, I sandwiched the transparency between the two to make for a presentation to potential clients.

If anybody is interested in the cutter let me know as I don't use it anymore--it was the high end model from Loagan.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My method of framing is to cut the mats myself and buy the frames. I have a few frames on-hand that are pre-made as well as some inexpensive ones that can be assembled from metal. I have a small amount of glass and plastic as well, cut to the finished sizes I normally use. I purchase (and price) for custom jobs as well and I find I'm doing less and less of this. Prints on plastics and aluminum seem to be more popular, all of which are ordered as needed. I have a few samples hanging. All of this represents less than 5% of my work. You can't sell it if you can't show it, is my motto! Best of luck.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Do it yourself framing is economical but requires some skill. Picturframes.com can put a kit of any size together for you. They are not super expensive.

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

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WD.Cash

After following this thread for a while, I have decided to 'chime in' with my 'humble 2¢' for what I do...

At one time, I use to display and sell my prints inside two local galleries, and I found that for a number of reasons, it was 'best for me' to mat and place into a very plain and simple black frame... For one, the cost of course, but also, in the offering, I could sell the print with or without the frame and that could be reused. Second, it has always been my thought that most all customers/buyers are going to want to use the matting and framing of their choice, and a vast majority for this reasoning is the fact that the picture/frame must or should blend the with 'displayed environment -- YES, the photo or piece of artwork does in many ways, suggest how an image could be framed BUT, in the long run, it is the buyer who is going to absolutely make the final decision as to how and where the image will be displayed...

Today, I do NOT use galleries anymore but, I still print/sell/and give away using the following... One of the best things I have done is to invest in my own printer. YES, I know, the overall cost of commercial printing is usually going to be somewhat cheaper BUT, I also like to have control of the timing and the process. That being said, I use the Canon Pixma Pro, which does a very nice job for up to 13x19" prints, which I often give away to family and very close friends or I can sell... Now, as for presentations or mounting, I use a very simple, white mat, which are -18x24" in overall size and Pre-Cut 13x19" prints and easily bought on Amazon at the below URL

MBC MAT BOARD - listed on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NNPQWHZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A157BPK76XU7CE&psc=1

NOTE: YES, there are times when you want more/bigger/and Different.. BUT, 13x19 can help make that decission

As for the matting techniques, for some time now I have used a technique that is very easy, clean, and non-destructive to the prints themselves... It involves centering the image on the backboard using "photo corners", and then attaching the outer front cut frame mast using double-sided tape... In this fashion, anyone who wants to can, remove the mat mount, retrieve the 'intact and undamaged' print, then actually remount and frame in any fashion which the 'little heart desires' to match any decor in the location where it will be displayed...

As for the mounting/matting techniques, I found the process on Youtube as described below:

Matting and Framing Tutorial: by Robert Rodriguez Jr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n2ossog5Ns

NOW, I know that the above is NOT the cure-all and end-all for the solutions to this discussion. It is just one of many solutions which can be found, and as all "Hoggers" know ~~ It is what works best for you...

Cheers
George Veazey
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Donwitz Loc: Virginia Beach, VA

I have an Epson P800 printer and I print my own for the shows I'm in. I found that frames come in a certain range of sizes, and so does printer paper. The combo that works well for me is 17x22" paper, mats that have a 16x20" opening, all held together in a pre-made frames that is 20x24". I buy the frames from https://www.arttoframe.com/ I get simple matte black frames which are cheaper if you buy them in quantity. I usually buy 20 frames at a time. I buy mats from www.matboardplus.com You should shop around to see who is cheapest!

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

I print and sell but on large format printers I own . I don't print and frame but print on canvas with no frame needed . I print for a handful of local Artist all but one print on canvas . The one Artist a wonderful painter whose art I photograph to match Her artwork . She prints on paper prints are small mainly 9 x 12 and 11 x 14 with no mat in cellophane envelopes with 1 inch borders all away around .She lets them decide on mat and frame . Occasionally she prints reproductions from 9 x 12 to 36 x 48 which I have done for Her , but on canvas Gallery wrap. My most successful Client sold over $8,000 in the past 3 months at 2 art shows and 2 Galleries in town . All were canvases with a satin finish of a Giclee' varnish I apply by spraying . Most images He sold are seashore landscapes and birds mostly shore birds with egrets , great blue herons , nesting birds eagles Hawks , Owls , and their chicks which are very popular . Landscapes of sunsets and sunrises top the list with Alligators very popular here in Florida . Most are printed from 18 x 24 to 27 x 36 , 24 x 48 and 24 x 60 , at art shows he sells a lot of 12 x 16 that I do for $28.00 and He sells for $65.00 . The large Canvases of 24 x 48 are of Gators And multiple Turtles on a single log with some pano landscapes . I have 2 44 inch printers a Canon IPF8300 and a new Pro 4000 . He is just starting to print some paper prints of 24 x 36 and a 40 x 70 of a single large wave at sundown casting a shadow on the beach . He prefers to sell the print and let them pay his framer separately for glass and Frame or as a floater with a pressed clear lamination and a Mat and frame . These paper prints are just now being asked for in the past two months .Good luck hope this Helps ,.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I started out with the idea that I'd make and finish my own frames and tailor them for the individual pieces. I'm a cabinet maker/carpenter by trade so the mechanics and tools are natural to me. It's been 10 years of doing what I want when I want, displaying pieces locally and selling a few...enough so I set up a website (not *quite* where I want it to be yet, but it's there under my name if you want to check it out). It seems like the OP has a handle on the framing so I'll offer this one piece of advice: Use non-glare plexi, *not* glass. Glass sucks. I can't stand going to a gallery and seeing a really nice piece hung...and eyeballing the person next to me in the reflection. *SO* distracting and definitely not helping the piece. I buy full 4x8 sheets and cut to whatever I need...cost is $6 a square foot, but worth every penny.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I sell pictures (13X19 and 12X18) unframed and canvas pictures (24X36 & 30X40). I tell them it is cheeper to buy a canvas and not have to frame and mat.
The last picture I took at a fire (of a crew getting set to enter a building). I dropped it at city hall for the chief, the city manager saw it first and decided to frame it. It cost the city 300 bucks. Canvas would be cheeper.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

I do, but I make my own frames. A good miter saw and frame mounted router are about the only tools of any expense needed. Then buy the unfinished variety of trim lumber to build the frame. I can build a 16 X 20 for about $15. Another option is a thrift store (Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.) Browse occasionally for likely frames. Most will look good after some clean-up and possibly a new color/stain treatment.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I've used Pictureframes.com - and they are very good - but after high quality paper print, frame, enough archival matboard for double matting, mounting tissue, foamboard, mat cutter blades, glass or plastic, and wire, not to mention time and labor, for me the cost is higher than having ready-to-hang prints made on metal or plastic (apparently printing on glass is another option).

Oh, and did I mention, a one time purchase of a dry mount press, tacking iron, t-squares, rulers, brushes, etc, etc, and a decent Logan mat cutter? Not to mention enough working space to do all that.

EDIT: Jeez, I forgot to mention the roto trimmer that you might need.

The Capt.

Try garage sales often There are framed pictures for sale for $5.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I never mounted prints but do have a mat cutter in my closet.
I buy plain black frames from Michael's or before they closed
AC Moore the other big craft store. With sales 16x20 frames under $20. If I give them away but I ask them to return frame if they buy another to match decore of their room or keep the frame if they want.. Never charge friends for photos as they are a gift but they usually treat me to some beers and burgers.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

None of the sizes will be expensive to mat and frame. But printing on rag paper can cost you a lot if printing at home, less if using a lab. It's important to keep in mind that framing a print, unless the frame fancy hand-carved, lacquer or varnish coated hardwood and is an integral part of the image's creative presentation, it will likely be changed the minute the print gets home. Simple, thin, metal frames are more than adequate, and makes for a clean, economical solution that doesn't look cheap.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind