Input on picture framing costs requested, please?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/15/2005 07:06:06 PM · #1

If you have experience framing prints for display or sale I am interested in your input.

Want to frame pictures that are 18" X 12" with a standard 3" wide museum style mat.

What I can get:
1-1" wide flat black wood museum display frame sized 24" X 18".
2-Single mat size 24" X 18" with 18" X 12" window (museum style).
3-24" X 18" acid free foam core backing.
4-24" X 18" plexi glass front.

Has everything, including mounting brackets except for the hanging wire.

Cost: $36.75 per picture.
(price for a similar configuration for framing a 20" X 16" inch sized print is $45.12)

What do you think of these costs?

What is your experience?

Where do you get your framing materials?

Input from DPCers experienced with these things would be greatly appreciated. Volume shipping cost is $85.

EDIT: Sorry about everything being expressed in US dimensions and currency. :)

Message edited by author 2005-12-15 19:07:51.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/15/2005 07:15:56 PM · #2

Offhand, those sound like reasonable prices, but I haven't actually bought any large frames lately.

I think quite a few DPCers have recommended American Frame but I haven't used them myself.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/15/2005 07:39:47 PM · #3

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I think quite a few DPCers have recommended American Frame but I haven't used them myself.

Thanks for that reminder... I will check them out again.

blazingmoonlight

Canon EOS-5D

12/15/2005 08:01:11 PM · #4

As a framer, those prices sound really good (though the quality of wood will make a difference in price). Is it important that everything is archival? If so, plexiglass may not be the best choice. I'm assuming at that price the plexi is not conservation coated. Also, if you're getting something done that cheap, I'd recommend a Blick Art or other art supply store to cut a second mat for you. That would probably be another $5-$15 but a double white mat with 1/2" of the second mat showing is really sharp...especially if put some foamcore btw. the layers to lift them apart a bit. Okay, I'm getting carried away.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/15/2005 08:06:41 PM · #5

As a custom framer, I would stay away from 'plexi glass.' It does not protect the prints at all.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

12/15/2005 08:08:29 PM · #6

the last frame my parents bought for one of my prints (16x24 inches) cost $120, but they're nuts and had it custom made at this little shop they found.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/15/2005 08:12:51 PM · #7

MPIX Also does custom framing as well as photo printing. Looks pretty reasonably priced. I have not used them myself either...

DelRioPhoto

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/15/2005 08:21:22 PM · #8

I know you are looking for some specific frame and mat types, but COSTCO has some great looking frames and mats at a super price. Good luck.

12/16/2005 11:20:35 AM · #9

Originally posted by amyparrish:

Thanks Amy... did not realize that plexi made a difference... everything else is archival but I suspect these frames may be used more so for showings than for sales. I want the frames to work interchangably with just about any color or B&W print I might put in it. I'm just getting into these things.

But I am looking to spend about $1,000 on framing and don't want to screw it up. :)

My prints have wide margins and I was planning to tape them onto the back of the mat rather than glue to the backing so that I can easily switch out pictures or mats later on.

12/16/2005 11:30:38 AM · #10

Originally posted by wavelength:

MPIX Also does custom framing as well as photo printing. Looks pretty reasonably priced. I have not used them myself either...

MPIX, like others places I have looked at, don't offer an off-the-shelf frame size I need for an 18X12 sized print with a 3" mat border.

I thought that should be standard, which is why I crop my prints to those dimensions, but guess it isn't everywhere. :)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/16/2005 11:41:04 AM · #11

Originally posted by jahoward:

I know you are looking for some specific frame and mat types, but COSTCO has some great looking frames and mats at a super price. Good luck.

Thanks for the suggestion... I did not look there but did at Michael's, which is having a super sale on their frames, and they have the frame sizes and number of frames I need.

But with Michael's and I suspect Costco too is that the added expense of mats and backings negate the cost advantage and the hassle of custom cutting those things adds considerably to the hassle. And if I actually had to cut something that would be the kiss of death to the whole project. :)

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

12/16/2005 11:49:45 AM · #12

Where are you getting these from. Have you looked at americanframe.com?

I've ordered metal frames from them, and I've been happy EXCEPT that their stupid website doesn't let you edit the frame order once you finish it. And it doesn't have a place you can design and then save them to order later. (So mainly my gripes are with their website!)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/16/2005 12:41:29 PM · #13

Originally posted by nshapiro:

GeneralE refreshed my memory about AmericanFrame as a recommended place to buy things. I looked briefly and will look again at them but they seemed to be a little more expensive. I like the way they allow you to select all the things you need.

The place I was quoting from has the inspiring name of: Frames by Mail.

LOL! But they have similar offerings like the other large suppliers like AmericanFrame do and their on-line ordering system is easy to use and see all the costs (like shipping) on one screen.

I will check on-line to see if they have a bad rep or something before I make the actual purchase.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

12/16/2005 07:00:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by stdavidson:

If you have experience framing prints for display or sale I am interested in your input.

Hi Steve,

I recently bought a bunch of custom wood frames from AmericanFrame.com. The total was 14 hard wood frames, with plexiglass, mats, and backing for each. The mats (black on black core) and backing are all archival foam core. I got several sizes, from 12â�� x 14â�� up to 24â�� x 28â��.

I also bought some Filmoplast P90 Archival Paper Tape, Filmoplast SH Archival Linen Tape, and two bottles of Novus Plexi-glass Cleaner & Polish. The paper tape is for attaching the photos to the mat, and the linen tape is for attaching the mat to the backing. I used the mounting instructions on their web site, and the Filmoplast tape worked great. I highly recommend it. The plexiglass cleaner works very well too.

Including the shipping charges, it cost me a total of $954.73 all together. I had to pay an extra $30 for the shipping because two of the frames were over the size limit for their standard shipping. All of the frames and mats came in one large, well-packed box. Everything was banded together with plastic strap and separated by size with styrofoam sheets and inserts.

Buying so many at once was a good chunk of change, but I think it was well worth it. I love the way they turned out, and now I finally have nice things hanging on my walls. Well, at least the frames are nice. The photos are mine, so...

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

12/16/2005 09:39:01 PM · #15

I got a catalog from LightImpressionsDirect.com that has the sizes you need. The exhibition mats (prehinged to the backing mat) with the 12x18 opening is 45.95. The total size is 18x24.
They have some less expensive kits also.

12/17/2005 04:37:43 PM · #16

Originally posted by micknewton:

Mick... How the heck is your photography going? It is so nice to hear from a familiar DPCer, especially an Oregonian. :)

Thank you, thank you so much for your response to this post!

I am looking at a $$$ framing order similar to what you did. I was considering going with another place, but have priced things out at American Frame as well.

It is nice to know someone that shelled out a lot for framing and is pleased with the result. What I am after are no-nonsense show frames with a simple single off-white mat.

I am so glad to hear that you are happy with your purchase because framing costs a lot and if you are going to order anything on-line it is nice to get positive feedback from someone doing something similar.

Thanks.

Message edited by author 2005-12-17 16:38:56.