Matting Photographs (Page 2): I'd say using white mattes for everything doesn't make sense. It depends on the colors in the image. I have my own matter cutter, and buy mattes locally.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Chicflat wrote:

I have entered a couple of my photos in the Oklahoma State Fair in Tulsa. One of the requirements to enter is that the photos must be matted according to their specifications. My daughter has studied art on the college level and she says the recommendation is to use a white mat always. Frankly, I usually like me prints matted - even in a frame. I am also not convinced an unmatted photograph in a frame is preferable. I would really like to hear your thoughts.

I'd say using white mattes for everything doesn't make sense. It depends on the colors in the image.

I have my own matter cutter, and buy mattes locally. I can make usually mattes for four separate photos depending on the size of the print.

http://www.amazon.com/Logan-301-S-Compact-Mat-Cutter/dp/B0019IMX1Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1458906521&sr=8-7&keywords=matte+cutter+logan

RichardS Loc: Belton Missouri

Generally, I think matting makes a frame picture look better. They have plain precut matts at Hobby Lobby in some of the common display sizes. I have the basic cutter (around $30) and the thick ruler that work with them if want to cut my own.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Chicflat wrote:

I have entered a couple of my photos in the Oklahoma State Fair in Tulsa. One of the requirements to enter is that the photos must be matted according to their specifications. My daughter has studied art on the college level and she says the recommendation is to use a white mat always. Frankly, I usually like me prints matted - even in a frame. I am also not convinced an unmatted photograph in a frame is preferable. I would really like to hear your thoughts.

I always matte my photos when framed.
--Bob

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

ricardo7 wrote:

For temporary display it probably doesn't matter. For permanent display mountiing and matting with archival materials helps preserve the picture.

exactly!

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

Try Frame Destination, http://www.framedestination.com/ , the B&H of framing and matting. Custom sizes. I just bought a custom 28 X 19 metal frame Nielson profile 99 black, and 8 ply matt for $108 delivered in 7-days. I use them for shows all the time.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I have a Logan mat cutter I bought at Michael's. It sells for about $100 but if you look for coupons you can get as much as 40-50% off.
Michael's is a little expensive for mat boards so I usually buy them at Dick Blick.
There are apps to help you calculate size of mats & openings.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

A number of years back, I purchased a mat cutter and some accessories. It came with both a book and a video which did a good job describing the process and educating on the subject. If found it fairly easy to do provided that one took one's time and the results were very good. The brand was Logan and the source was Dick Blick. You might want to check online to see what instructions are available. In addition, I get the comment about the white mat, but my personal preference is two mats where one is a color that works with the photo. For example, my firetruck photos are matted in red with a small amount of white mat between the red outer mat and the photo. Best of luck. ADDED: You WILL save $$$ if you learn to do this yourself, quickly exceeding the cost of a decent mat cutter and some simple tools.

gorgehiker Loc: Lexington, Ky

Chicflat wrote:

I have it done at Michael's. It is expensive. I don't have a lot os skill that way so I take the easy way out.

In my experience, Hobby Lobby has been much cheaper.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

gorgehiker wrote:

In my experience, Hobby Lobby has been much cheaper.

Not up on what Hobby Lobby has these days. I used to get a variety of mattes at Michael's, but they've cut back to six basic colors.

qasas3251 Loc: Shippensburg, PA

I purchased the Logan Elite Artist Matt cutting system from Michaels. I have matted and framed most of the prints that are hanging in our home and I'm quite satisfied with it. I know there are a lot of more expensive systems out there with all the whistles and bells and Logan even has several different systems that vary in quality and ease of cutting your matts. I really didn't keep track of dollars spent verses dollars saved by doing my own matting. However I believe I'm probably on the plus side of saving myself money already and I now have a matting system to use for years to come. :-)

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

I had a tax number for my old business that I was/m able to use to buy glass and framing supplies wholesale from a local distributor. Had a couple of good matte cutters, and always did my own.

The shop where I bought the stuff would cut the glass and the metal frames for me.

I won a couple of blue ribbons at the NM state fair back in the day with that system.

I eventually started building wood frames in my wood shop. I'm sure I saved quite a bit of money over the years, but it's a bit of a pain.

I think I'm going to have some metal prints done next time I want to change out the pictures on the wall.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Chicflat wrote:

I have entered a couple of my photos in the Oklahoma State Fair in Tulsa. One of the requirements to enter is that the photos must be matted according to their specifications. My daughter has studied art on the college level and she says the recommendation is to use a white mat always. Frankly, I usually like me prints matted - even in a frame. I am also not convinced an unmatted photograph in a frame is preferable. I would really like to hear your thoughts.

A white or off-white mat is typical. There are colored ones, but I'd be careful about using those. White is pretty universal, neutral and what's used in most museum presentations. Possibly the reason why is that 100% rag, acid-free, archival mats used to be available mostly only in white.

A framed photograph should be covered with glass to protect it. However, it should NOT be in contact with the glass or it will eventually stick to it and be ruined. For this reason matting is normally used. The matting creates an air space between the glass and the print. There are other ways of spacing the print away from the glass, but matting is the easiest and most typical.

I haven't been framing much lately, but when I did I bought archival mats in several sizes in bulk from www.matcutter.com. I bought frames the same way at times from various sources... or stocked up on them locally when Aaron Brothers had a sale.

Years ago I worked in a shop doing custom matting and framing professionally. Still have some of the tools, but even so I couldn't beat the low cost of doing it with the bulk mats and ready-made frames bought on sale, in relatively standard sizes. Custom sizing is when it gets really expensive. But even then I certainly wouldn't buy the tools just to mat and frame a small number of prints.

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

I agree that matting enhances a framed picture. I mat and frame all of my images sold through galleries. Cutting the mats is very difficult if you don't use a mat cutter, I use a Logan compact cutter that I purchased from Dick Blick art supplies, which is were I buy most of my mat material. I often use a mat of a color that will pickup and enhance something in my picture.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I used to just slap my photos in a frame; an artist friend chastised me for doing it and suggested I mat and frame them. The mat gives the photo a finished, professional look. I enlarge to 11x14 and buy the mats in bulk, on-line. I buy the contemporary looking frames at a local craft shop.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

photoman022 wrote:

I used to just slap my photos in a frame; an artist friend chastised me for doing it and suggested I mat and frame them. The mat gives the photo a finished, professional look. I enlarge to 11x14 and buy the mats in bulk, on-line. I buy the contemporary looking frames at a local craft shop.

I think it's two things with the mat:

1.) It's makes it look much more professional (not to mention the earlier comment about the air gap to keep the print from sticking to the glass).

2.) It allows a given print size to look much larger because you'll ultimately be putting it into a larger frame.