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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Cost of framing a print
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 42, descending (reverse)
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05/31/2009 06:28:46 PM · #1
Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Bumping a really old thread.

Looking into matting photos.
I see that Logan is a popular brand of mat cutter.

Can anyone recommend a good quality Logan - that is fairly easy to use and gives good, pro results?
I have no idea of what options to look for.
Basically - I want to be able to cut mats for odd size photos but nothing horribly big.
Any suggestions?


I bought the 450 on the recommendation of John Setzler and love it. I have saved myself a lot of money doing them myself. And for those odd times(ok not so odd for me) that I shoot a photo that won't crop to 8x10 it has saved my butt. I've also learned to love 6x9 prints thanks to John. I also have been doing my own printing with a printer that can do 13x19 and have really liked the results of the Logan.

Matt
05/31/2009 06:23:09 PM · #2
Bumping a really old thread.

Looking into matting photos.
I see that Logan is a popular brand of mat cutter.

Can anyone recommend a good quality Logan - that is fairly easy to use and gives good, pro results?
I have no idea of what options to look for.
Basically - I want to be able to cut mats for odd size photos but nothing horribly big.
Any suggestions?
12/21/2003 10:23:14 AM · #3
*bump*
12/20/2003 04:56:09 PM · #4
I found the Logan 301-M today - anyone know how good it is? I couldn't find it on the Logan site, but I did find a 301-S and it looked pretty similar...

12/19/2003 06:03:31 PM · #5

I have made 3 of these. A large one and two smaller to do up to 8x10's. They work awesome and give very tight corners (cheap too). Now I need that V-nail corner driver from Logan. And a bigger shop! (C:

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 18:04:15.
12/19/2003 06:00:17 PM · #6
Thanks a lot Paul and Eddy!! This info is helpful and I've put it on the 'secret' list until after Christmas...

Thanks for the links to the forum threads also.

12/19/2003 04:38:33 PM · #7
Originally posted by EddyG:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Big clamps are good.

And 90° Corner Clamps or framing clamps are really helpful.

Check out these two threads and the post below in particular:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=35267

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=36465

Originally posted by conceptgraphics:

Here's a look at the progress on my test frame. I'm only using deck lumber for the first frame. I built the frame clamp according to the instructions posted in another thread, with a few minor changes in the hardware department. This is the link to the instructions.

The clamp seems to work fine.

12/19/2003 03:58:52 PM · #8
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Big clamps are good.

And 90° Corner Clamps or framing clamps are really helpful.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 16:03:38.
12/19/2003 03:03:12 PM · #9
Originally posted by tfaust:

JD, my husband intends to make frames after he opens his Christmas presents this year. His major wood working tools (that I can think of) are:

Router, Router table
12" Compact Miter Saw
Various Drills
Palm Sander

Is there anything else, tool wise, we'll need to make nice wood frames?

Thanks!

Big clamps are good.
12/19/2003 01:58:19 PM · #10
JD, my husband intends to make frames after he opens his Christmas presents this year. His major wood working tools (that I can think of) are:

Router, Router table
12" Compact Miter Saw
Various Drills
Palm Sander

Is there anything else, tool wise, we'll need to make nice wood frames?

Thanks!
12/19/2003 01:48:00 PM · #11
JD, i was looking at the logan 450. Can you tell me the difference between the 450 and the 650?

12/19/2003 01:40:08 PM · #12
I had two 'exhibitions' this summer. I about fell over when I found out the cost of having prints made, matting and framing them commercially. I bought an Epson 1280 printer, which will do up to 13"x44", a Logan 650 matte cutter, and I already have my own wood shop and make my own frames out of domestic and exotic hardwoods.
My costs went from $250 plus for matting and equivalent solid wood frames to about $25 to do it all myself. I have sold a few prints, but I am getting all kinds of orders for my hardwood frames. You just can't find the beautiful woods and the quality that I do in a retail shop. My 'photography income' is now coming from matting and framing instead of print sales. That is not what I intended, but I'm OK with it!! LOL

JD
12/19/2003 11:42:33 AM · #13
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

It is more work to setup and definitely takes more care to use, but it is significantly cheaper.


I agree completely. That's why I use a framed mat cutter now.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 11:43:04.
12/19/2003 11:41:53 AM · #14
Originally posted by EddyG:

Gordon, you seem to imply that any type of "plastic" glazing (the technical term for the clear cover over framed art) is bad. In actuality, a lot of museums frame their pieces behind high-quality acrylic plexiglass because it has a variety of benefits over glass. First and foremost, glass breaks. If a picture ever does fall and the glass breaks, there is a possibility that the piece behind the glass could be damaged by the broken glass (scratched, ripped, etc.) Second, most glass typically has a very slight green tinting that comes from the iron content. There are some types of glass ("Perfect Vue") that are "water white", but you can achieve the same clarity with "normal" plexi. Third, glass is much heavier than plexi. This becomes especially important as the pieces get bigger.

Both UV filtering (98%, which is about as good as it gets) and "reflection control" plexi is available for a slight additional cost over standard framing plexi.


You are absolutely correct. But the cheap, plastic frames from hobby lobby and the like are terrible.
12/19/2003 11:24:48 AM · #15
Originally posted by Gordon:

A decent mat cutter will cost about $160. I made the inital mistake of paying $30 for a hand held one. If you want to do this seriously at all, avoid this mistake. Buy a decent framed cutter - it will save you hours of time, frustration, and crappy mats.



I have always gotten excellent results using my ~$20 Dexter mat cutter. It is more work to setup and definitely takes more care to use, but it is significantly cheaper.
12/19/2003 11:01:07 AM · #16
Gordon, you seem to imply that any type of "plastic" glazing (the technical term for the clear cover over framed art) is bad. In actuality, a lot of museums frame their pieces behind high-quality acrylic plexiglass because it has a variety of benefits over glass. First and foremost, glass breaks. If a picture ever does fall and the glass breaks, there is a possibility that the piece behind the glass could be damaged by the broken glass (scratched, ripped, etc.) Second, most glass typically has a very slight green tinting that comes from the iron content. There are some types of glass ("Perfect Vue") that are "water white", but you can achieve the same clarity with "normal" plexi. Third, glass is much heavier than plexi. This becomes especially important as the pieces get bigger.

Both UV filtering (98%, which is about as good as it gets) and "reflection control" plexi is available for a slight additional cost over standard framing plexi.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 11:02:08.
12/19/2003 09:33:52 AM · #17
Typically you get a choice of about 6 'glass' options

Perspex (plastic, warps, cheapest, tons of reflections)
normal glass
reflection control glass
UV protection glass
UV protection, reflection control glass
museum grade glass (most expensive, typically at least 5 times the price of 'normal' glass, and twice the cost of UV protection, reflection control options)


In non-specialist frame places, you are going to get either the perspex or normal glass options.
Without UV protection, prints will fade faster and generally suffer under direct light. UV protection just slows the process.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 09:34:27.
12/19/2003 09:18:30 AM · #18
Kevin,

If memory serves me, there is a difference in the glass used in more expensive frames, like at frame shops. A deterioration of the framed print can occurr if certain precautions are not done and some of the better frames have this "special" glass. I know that on one of my signed and numbered prints that I purchased, I simply couldn't afford to have it deteriorate due to poor framing materials, so I paid the 240.00 US to have it professionally done. In this case it was an investment in print preservation.

However, for simple photographs that I can reproduce from my files, I just go to a local department store and get frames/mats/ etc.

Season's Best.

Flash
12/19/2003 08:07:20 AM · #19
No Prob
12/19/2003 07:52:44 AM · #20
Thanks dacrazyrn! Just the info I was looking for!
12/19/2003 07:47:17 AM · #21
Great ideas and I think I'll be investing in some new tools next year. For this go around I decided to order from American Frame. I got the frame, double matting, mounting board and hanging hardware for about $31 USD. I was able to upload a smaller version of my photo and see a representation of how it should look in the frame. Pretty cool little device and it cost about 1/3 of what a professional framer was quoting me. Thanks for that link.

Kev
12/19/2003 07:03:53 AM · #22
Some good articles here : //www.altosezmat.com/a-07-01-whatisamat.html

Also, I'd recommend the Alto Ez Mat 4505 I picked one up for $160 and it is amazingly easy to cut good mats. I did a 24x36 mat in about 5 minutes. including cutting down the outside and inner bevel. I've tried this with a hand pull cutter that you slide along a ruler and it took me about an hour to get right, and even then wasn't very straight edged.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 07:05:02.
12/19/2003 06:48:51 AM · #23
I looked into having a 5x7 framed for a Christmas present, and it was gonna run about $85. Dropped in Bed, Bath & Beyond and picked up a frame and double mat print for under $20 (plus a $5 off coupon). Threw out the cheesy print and replaced it with my own. It's for my boyfriend's parents, and he decided it looked nice enough that we don't have to get them anything else. I hate spending lots of money on people when you're not even sure they'll like their gifts.
I cut all my own mats in highschool. It isn't hard if you have the right tools.
12/19/2003 04:51:13 AM · #24
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

This is an excellent book. Home Book of Picture Framing

Do you have any recommendations on mat cutters? I am considering getting set up for this, would certainly appreciate any opinions on cutters.
Also, do you cut your own frame material, and if so what type of miter saw do you use?

I have a Logan 4000 pull cutter. I really like it, does a very clean job (especially need new blade-sharp) when cutting ragboard though (probably with all). It has a measuring device with a piece of lead on it to make it quicker to draw lines and cut. I set up a database of the individual pics that does my figuring for me now. I would like to get a "full system" one with the ruler, straight edge, and the cutter integrated into it, but too much money at this time. The Logans are able to adapt and connect to the Adapt-a-Rule, and much cheaper, but still looking for the 40" to buy. Or I may just build my own.
As for other cutters, I have not tried.
I do cut my own material. I have a "manual" Jorgenson Precision Miter Saw. Makes very fine cuts! Logan seems to have one now also. I have found some moulding that works well for thin frames (need real good glue). It is 3/4x3/4" and 1 1/4x1 1/4" 90 degree moulding at Home Depot. There are others I have thought of trying but haven't. That book above talks alot about it also. I have a small portable table saw to cut other stock, also. Depending on what type of frame I want. Again, that book has alot in it.
Another subject, paints! I think it is Krylon, has this awesome hammered finish paint that looks awesome! And it covers up alot of imperfections.
Go to the Logan site. Just seen that they have a bunch of new things. ME WANT!!!

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 04:52:13.
12/19/2003 12:09:58 AM · #25
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

This is an excellent book. Home Book of Picture Framing


I think I may be placing and order with Amazon...

dacrazyrn, I know you've done a lot of you own framing, and I'd like to tap your brain on a couple things:

Do you have any recommendations on mat cutters? I am considering getting set up for this, would certainly appreciate any opinions on cutters.
Also, do you cut your own frame material, and if so what type of miter saw do you use?
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