Do any of you do your own matting/framing?

[jipsy]

I have alot of projects that need framing, it is so expensive. My BF works in a custom woodshop and can make me all the frames I want out of scrap wood, so I need to learn how to mat. Do any of you know how to do this?

 

[Pammy jo]

Good luck! I used my MIL's mat cutter last year and tried to do some mats for a wall of family pics I was doing. Some came out ok, but you really need to practice first to get the hang of it. I mostly gave up and just paid for the rest to be done. I'm pretty particular and just wasn't happy with what I was producing. Mine were just plain squares where I could have them professionally done with ovals and other variations. Best of luck to you!

 

[janette]

I bought a mat cutter at Micheals and havent' done any real framing but cut lots of mats with it. It is really easy, I also have a circle cutter but haven't used it yet.

I have the Logan Mat cutter, it comes with blades etc. I used a 50% off coupon to help with the price. Hobby Lobby sells the mats for $5 and they have them on sale sometimes, I' waiting for the next sale and I want to get mats for several of my photographs and some other things.

I'll have to buy the frames but will be watching for sales on those too.

Here's a picture my Disney Wall that I cut the mats for, as you can see cutting the mats myself was about the only affordable option. I don't want to know what they would have charged

 

[jipsy]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a mat cutter - LOL I was going to try it with an exacto knife. See, this is why I ask

 

[janette]

I tried the exacto knife - doesn't work

If I can do it with a mat cutter almost anyone can Someone else on this board was talking about it once before and I went with the type they said they used and it's worked great. It is a little expensive I think the regular one was about $70 but well worth it especially since I used the discount coupon.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Hi.....here are a few ideas.....I happen to work at a customized framing shop and you can have a mat made for a couple bucks with no frame at our shop. I think a 16x20 is 7.75 plus tax. I dont think that is too bad. 8x10 and 11x14 are quite a bit less. If your in the NE Ohio area stop by the Frame Outlet and see me.

Also JoAnns sells them already custom cut and double matted pretty inexpensively. Plus you can use your coupon.

WalMart also had them for awhile, dont know if they still do or not.

Good tip for those of you who do your own. Stop by your local frame shop, not Michaels, but a little local place and ask what they do with their scrap mat board. We give ours to whom ever asks.....it can be a nice bag full sometimes with good useable mat board in it. We just cant store all the small pieces. hope this helps someone!

cindy

 

[FergieTCat]

My only suggestion is www.americanframe.com. They sell everything, including frame sides, mats, plexiglass, mounting boards. Prices and shipping are reasonable, orders come within a week.

 

[frantastic]

Hello,
There is a web site that you can go to on line and design a custom mat and frame. They use block letters that are big enough to slip photos behind the letter, so you can see your photos. I love these mats because I can see my memories everyday but it is a new way to display them and not plain 5x7 or 8x10 mat.
Here is the site, check it out.
www.memoriesandmats.com

Smiles
Frantastic