Framing printed photos: I went to Michaels with a coupon and chose frames and mats in stock. Nothing custom. It’s expensive! Where is the best place to have this done? I’m not framing...

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

I went to Michaels with a coupon and chose frames and mats in stock. Nothing custom. It’s expensive! Where is the best place to have this done? I’m not framing the Mona Lisa just some nice photos. Comments please 😇

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I myself will print to standard sizes, buy the standard size mats and find a pre-made standard frame I like, and assemble myself.
4x6 image in 5x7 mats;
5x7 image in 8x10 mats;
8x10 or 8x12 image in 11x14 mats.
I've not printed anything larger yet. Most people, including me, do not have a ton of wall space.
Of course a non-standard print size will require a custom mat.
Since I cannot easily find mats with backer boards anymore, I'm going to order some from Redimat.com. They have many sizes.

canon Lee

Always have a mat when framing. The mat keeps the print from sticking to the glass.....

Scott24

You can do it get a mat cutter devise not just the cutter, Mat board can be cheap as $8 and you can get 3 or 4 11x14 mats, buy at AC moore 11x14 frames on sale for $5, use nation photo lab or other mass printer another $5 for an 8x10 picture. doesnot get cheaper then this.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Ruthiel wrote:

I went to Michaels with a coupon and chose frames and mats in stock. Nothing custom. It’s expensive! Where is the best place to have this done? I’m not framing the Mona Lisa just some nice photos. Comments please 😇

Hah! If you think that's bad, get a quote from a custom frame shop. lol

Our local camera club requires simple metal frames for the yearly print competition. Last year I checked BH Photo for NielsonBainbridge 16X20 metal frames and they were $89 each! And be warned, Nielsen is putting its name on cheaper metal frames that don't assemble with corner pieces and the hanging wire is riveted to a thin pressboard backboard.

It's one of my life goals to sell a print for as much as it costs to have the print framed. Not gonna happen, I'm afraid.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bluezzzzz wrote:

Hah! If you think that's bad, get a quote from a custom frame shop. lol
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Yea, I did that once for an image my wife bought. Somewhere over $100!!!

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

Scott24 wrote:

You can do it get a mat cutter devise not just the cutter, Mat board can be cheap as $8 and you can get 3 or 4 11x14 mats, buy at AC moore 11x14 frames on sale for $5, use nation photo lab or other mass printer another $5 for an 8x10 picture. doesnot get cheaper then this.

Sounds good.

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

canon Lee wrote:

Always have a mat when framing. The mat keeps the print from sticking to the glass.....

👍🏻

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

Longshadow wrote:

I myself will print to standard sizes, buy the sta... (show quote)

The expensive one was 11x16. Double matted. I’m going to plan better in the future and if I have to have a large one it’s going on metal - no frame

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Longshadow wrote:

I myself will print to standard sizes, buy the sta... (show quote)

Thank you for the redimat info. I mat and frame my own, and the local supply store does a low-volume business on mats and backing so there is a long span between orders. Several times I've had a project on hold for a month waiting for one or the other. I've been sizing the photo to the subject/scene with very few standard sizes. I normally buy full sheets. A quick look at Redimat was encouraging. Thanks again.

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

I shop at thrift stores for framed art. Frequently it has mats. I take the art out, touch up the frame and rarely pay more than $10. The hard part can be finding the perfect frame for a particular photo. But I have found that sometimes it is a surprise how photos and frames will go together. I keep a supply in my garage, especially simple/plain frames.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

neilds37 wrote:

Thank you for the redimat info. I mat and frame my own, and the local supply store does a low-volume business on mats and backing so there is a long span between orders. Several times I've had a project on hold for a month waiting for one or the other. I've been sizing the photo to the subject/scene with very few standard sizes. I normally buy full sheets. A quick look at Redimat was encouraging. Thanks again.

And they sell 11x14 mats for 8x12 prints.

If you do a lot, their show kits (25 units) are a deal.

Leeo Loc: Oregon

I did a 12x18 print with my own wood frame, took it to the only place in town, had them do it all, with the mat to my specs. $31.00

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Leeo wrote:

I did a 12x18 print with my own wood frame, took it to the only place in town, had them do it all, with the mat to my specs. $31.00

Great price!

TonyBot

Nothing against Michael's, but ... they ARE expensive. But, as bluezzzz said, a real frame shop can be a lot more. Personally, I have a small and large mat cutter, but there is a learning curve. I buy the rest of my framing supplies at http://americanframe.com and occasionally use them for printing and framing larger items. I recently had them produce a print made to 16x20 on heavy "museum" grade paper, mounted to 20x24, framed with a deep (1.25") Nelson, and glazed with premium, not-glare, acrylic. Total cost was about $130.00. Turn-around time, including shipping, was about eight days. Highly recommend them.