Someone asked me recently whether I would repeat a workshop I did eight years ago on how to create your own mats for your prints. (To review a PDF showing the steps I covered, go to: https://cvillecameraclub.org/sites/default/files/Make%20Your%20Own%20Cus...)
Of course I'd be glad to do another workshop again, and I'd also be glad to show you how to make your own frames. But over the intervening years, I've had second thoughts about DIY matting and framing, and here are the reasons:
- You have to buy the right tools and learn how to use them. (The 2018 costs for just the matting tools are listed in the above PDF, and those for frame-making are a lot more costly.) This means you'd have to make a lot of mats and frames to justify the investment.
- The supplies (mat board, backing board, frame stock) are also a cost that you have to consider, and even after you become proficient in all the tasks, you will make mistakes--and that can mean more costs and significant waste.
Having a local frame shop mat and frame your prints is very expensive, but there two economical alternatives:
- Ordering pre-cut mats, backing, and frames online, and then putting it all together yourself using minimal tools (a screw-driver!) and a few basic supplies. (This is assuming you've made your own print or had it done locally.)
- Uploading your photo to a custom-framing website, specifying a size you want printed, choosing your mat and frame, and then letting them put it all together for you.
The only challenge in ordering custom-cut mats and frames online is knowing the best websites and knowing how to navigate them. I've investigated all the sites that I could find online and have chosen one that I think offers the best selection of mats and frames and is easiest to use. It's Frames By Mail (https://www.framesbymail.com/), where you can easily order the components to assemble yourself, or where you can send them a photo file and receive the completed project in the mail.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like help ordering online and assembling the components.
Gerry
I’m taking a positive approach to the process of printing, matting, framing (PMF) and exhibiting choice photos. If done correctly, the addition of the printing through framing can add much enjoyment to one’s photography hobby while not adding too much incremental expense.
The PMF process was very popular at our camera club prior to covid. Zoom was not available, and all our meetings were in person. Matted prints were considered in the open category of the monthly competitions, and also given specific end of year awards. We had periodic, hands on, mat cutting workshops at the Northside library, where I first learned to cut mats, and subsequently instructed others.
I do a lot of printing, matting, and framing as I am an associate member of the C’Ville Arts cooperative and I exhibit and sell my work in their downtown mall gallery. I have ~125 matted prints, plus framed pictures, for sale. As the gallery charges 40% commission it is really important for me to produce high quality fine Art exhibition photography at minimal costs.
I print my pictures with a Canon Pixma pro-10 professional pigment ink 10 cart printer. This printer has been replaced in the Canon lineup by the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 printer, which has the exact same print head as the pro-10. Pigment ink is considered to be archival while dye ink is not. A great advantage of the pro-10 is the ability to refill the ink carts with high quality pigment ink at ~20% of the costs for new canon ink carts. If you do a lot of printing refilling carts saves a lot of money. The carts on the Pro-310 cannot be practically refilled as their chips cannot be reset. If you are interested in a pro-10 printer, I can help you get one at a price less than 1/2 that of the pro-310.
I am willing to give personal workshops, say two people at a time, in the complete PMF process. This is a major commitment for both of us as it will take the good part of a day. I am interested in working with people who feel genuinely committed to investing in this process.
I envision part of workshop going as follows: You bring a file with a picture that can be cropped to an aspect ratio ~7X10. I will then show you how to process this in Photoshop to add a pseudo matt so the final result will appear as an 11X14 double matted print. We will print the photo, procure the mat, and assemble the matted print. I will charge a small fee to cover material expenses. Send me an email if interested.
Seth Silverstein
Cell (434) 249-0834, sdsilverst@gmail.com
Website: https://sethsilverstein.smugmug.com/