E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

https://www.unitedmfrs.com/

For equipmet and supplies, check out the above link.

I find that the prices from many of the local art suppliers and art chain stores are high and some do not have a complete selection of equipment and supplies. I have several professional suppliers- this one has an enormous selection fair prices and good service.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Exactly! Someone mentioned that a matte and a frame can distract from the artwork.This is only the case if the framer does not know what they are doing and randomly selects a frame, matte materl, or color that is incompatible with the composition, style, and colors in the artwork. A masterful framer will consider the best way to bring out the motif of the artwork.

Adhesives, coatings, and mounting materials, if not applied and selected with care, can be destructive to the artwork. Coatings, waxes, varnishes, and sprays that are not especially intended for photographs or ink-based prints can be harmful as well.

MJPerini

I would add that if you are offering this as a service to customers, you can ask if they want archival materials. Galleries expect it. For your own use you can pick. Archival materials do cost 50% more and most mat board , backing board you buy at Michaels or Hobby Lobby is not archival or acid free.
With a large format Printer using Pigment inks the prints can last a very long time , when matted and framed and glazed with UV Acrylic they will last lifetimes.
Also, for your own work, if you standardize on a couple of sizes and use Nielsen frames you can change work from time to time without much hassle.
You do not have to Mat and frame everything to enjoy it or show it. I keep 'bodies of work' in archival clamshell or drop front boxes to allow viewing. People tend to love that experience.

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

Great info here. Gives me something to think about.

MDI Mainer

MDI Mainer

For those who are wary about the investment and skills needed for matting and framing, or in a pinch, this company does an outstanding job at a very fair price, has a great selection of frame stock and mat board, and their web site makes it easy to customize the frame and mat. Quick turn around time too. You can even upload an image and see exactly what the finished product will look like before you place the order.

https://www.framedestination.com/

MDI Mainer

You make an excellent point about the work space. Accurate mat cutting greatly benefits from a very stable work bench and pleanty of room to maneuver around it. Good lighting to minimize shadows too.

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

My advice is if you have the time and space for the equipment do it, if not have it done by a professional. Acid free is the way to go but cost more. Bainbridge is what I use for my own work. The right color will make or break you photo.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You are going to get into some major expense. I use a local printer and local frame shop.
I do it professionally. The framer has more matts and frames than I could stock, it is actually cheaper for me to use these professional services than buying the equipment myself.
But you should really check around, many of the framers I have used over the past 30 years have gone out of business because folks just don't frame photo's like they used to. Many of those professional framers could not sell off their equipment because no one wanted it.
Most of that equipment is still working and in good repair. It would be worth trying to get all of the equipment used instead of new.
Again, how much framing are you planning on doing, this is a basically dying business. If your thinking about doing it professionally, I would think again about it. If your doing it for yourself, your going to be better off having the professionals do it for you.
Just an example, my personal printer bought a used large printer, used it cost him well over $3,000.00. Again, how much are you planning on doing.
IMHO, it is just not worth your investment.

awesome14 Loc: UK

When I need a frame, I go to the thrift store. It usually has about 50 of them. I find one I like that's about the correct size, and pay $3-$4 for it. I take it home, pull off the backing paper, bend up the u nails, pull everything out. I clean the glass, trim the print and/or mat with a razor and straight-edge, and self-healing cutting mat.

i line up the print with the mat, and tape it in place. Put everything back in the frame, bend the u nails back down, and hang it up. I only a 13x19 printer, so sometimes I have to pay for printing.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Yes, I have Logan Compact Elite myself... Custom sizing holes is the best feature. CROP with the mat...

Benttree Loc: GA.

Hello Captain,
Do not go any those "HOBBY STORES " FLIMSY MODELS.
CUTTER TO GO IS LOGAN MODEL SIMPLEX 550-1 .
IT SIZE IS 45"X39", TO ABLE TO CUT STANDARD MAT-BOARDS TO FOUR 16"X 20".
AS WELL YOU WILL GET WITH THIS, BEVEL CUTTER, STRAIGHT CUTTER,STOPS AND BLADES, GLASS CUTTER, 8 PLY CUTTER, PAPER TRIMMER, PLASTIC CUTTER, GLASS OIL.
WWW. LOGANGRAPHIC .COM
THIS IS THE CUTTER FOR REST OF YOU LIFE.

I HAD THIS LOGAN HEAVY DUTY ON FROM YR.2012 WITH THOUSANDS 16"20" MATS.

I DO GET MY FRAMES FROM HOBBY LOBBY 50% DISCOUNTS ON ART SUPPLY TO LAST FOR NEXT SALE.

ONLY FRAMES I CUT ARE RUSTIC ROUGH SAWN FRAMES.
YOU WOULD NEED CORNER CLAMPS, BRAD NAILER, ELECTRIC MITER SAW AND TABLE SAW TO CUT THIS TYPE OF LUMBER, WOOD GLUE.
AS CYPRES , CEDAR ETC. TO USE THIS STYLE ON NATURE AND IT WILDLIFE IMAGES.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Actually as I have stated before, I think Image capture, matting, and Framing are as much of a Holy Trinity of " Presentation " as Iso, Aperture, and Shutter speed are a Holy Trinity of Acquisition. The GREATEST shot in the world is degraded by a bad presentation.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

There are lots of interesting and debatable opinions, which is good!

Just like what happens when we discuss photography, the conversation usually leans toward equipment. To do picture frame and matte cutting we do need the tools to do the work and just like in photography, framing, and presentation have many aspects and alternative methodologies.

You can cut mattes with an exacto knife or a simple matte cutter (a blade with a handle similar to a box cutter)or use a matte cutting device. There are all kidsof techniques such as beveling, v-grooving, matte carving, and a vast variety of matte boards in just about every shade and color. You can do the work yourself or outsource it to a local frame shop. Not every framing concept requires a matte.

As for frames, again the is an endless selection of pre-manufactured moldings and frames. You can use raw materials like wood or metals and make your own from scratch. You can restore discarded frames. You make frames in many geometric forms- square, rectangular, oval, circular, octagonal, spandrel (oval in a rectangle" or a Cathedral window shape. There are ornate frames with applied or carved ornamentation, gold leaf, and interesting washes.

Whether you do all the work yourself or outsource some or all of it, your most important function is as the DESIGNER! You want to create a total presentation to display and enhance your photograph.

Some argue that a frame or matte can distract from the image. This only happens when the framer does a bad job. Of course, you can go entirely traditional and simply center your print on white matte- leave a litt extra margin at the bottom and pop it into a nice frame. Or you can create a compound matte that places a thin line of color shader that picks up on a color in the image. You can off-center the print to enhance the negative space or cut an oval, circle, or elliptical opening. You can design the matte to coordinate and/or enhance the composition.

I have seen effective and unique framing concepts using every kind of traditional wood, stock metal molding, actual barnwood, antique lumber even plumbing pipe.

I like to include decorative concrete as well. If I know where the images go to hand, I will try to start the develop a concept even before I do their portraits. Someof my customers like minimalist decore and othere traditional, victorian, antique, rustic, art-deco- you name it.

I don't believe framing BUSINESS is dead or dying. Not every picture is framed and displayed. Many folks only view most of their images on a screen but everyone occasionally gets a "wall hanger". There are still many families and corporations that display traditional portraits, art (including photography) family photographs, and even industrial and commercial subjects. Not every family home is a shrine-like display of family pictures but outstanding portraits or photographic art expertly framed is still desirable in many homes and businesses. Framing business only dies if the proprietor does not know how to promote their business, keep up with the latest trends as well as the traditional concepts, and does not offer creative and unique choices to their customers.

If you commercialize your work in any way, you are missing out on additional income if you don't offer framing.

As any for y'all gearheads, if you think there are all kinds of supplies and gadgets for photography you ain't seen nothin' yet! A matte cutter is the tip of the iceberg! You might want a power miter saw or a chopper. How about a professional glass cutter, a compressor for your spray gun, an electrostatic duster, and a pneumatic nailer? A dry mounting press is handy. A framing point gun and a supply of points. glue, filler, brads, eyes, sawtooth hangers, wire, and if you go archival, there is an entire list of special hinges, spacers, and more expensive materials.

The Capt.

Thank you much. I'm looking at buying a 44" printer as I have gotten up to 30x45 in print size and all I can print now is 19x13. Also any brand of equipment in what brands as well as the procedure for mounting the image, tape does not work well for larger images.
Again thanks for the help.