aweaver Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Ok, i've got a few screen prints from shows that I would like to frame, however I can't afford to have my local art shop do this because the last one cost me almost 200 dollars to frame. Anyone know of a cheaper route that will still look decent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 invest in a mat cutter + mat board + standard size frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjaicomo Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 What's a good/cheap mat cutter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecream Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 depending on how much framing you plan doing you can get a few simple tools to make you're own frames. From there go to any art store like dick blick,hobby lobby,ect to get mat board. Go to a local glass business for the glass/get it cut to size I know alot of people on here use americanframe.com but I like to see that type of stuff in person cause i'm picky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecream Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 What's a good/cheap mat cutter? I know logan makes a few. A point driver is another essential to have. for the tabs that hold the mat board/print in the frame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 What's a good/cheap mat cutter? i'm not really well versed in brands, etc, but i got one at A.C. Moore's probably 5-7 years ago with a 50% off coupon that's still going strong. just make sure you get one that's big enough to cut the size opening you want for your print if you don't get a handheld one. The handheld one's are cheaper, and you'd need to invest in a good sturdy straight edge/t-square. The advantage of these is that you're not nearly as limited as far as dimensions you can cut. however, I've only ever used this style: http://www.amazon.com/Logan-450-Intermed....3844775&sr= 8-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattalica17 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 ikea frames fit most show posters 20 - 35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjaicomo Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 That's spensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 well, consider this: spend $100 on a custom frame/mat (assuming itd be a $200 job and you get it 50% off at a place like A.C. Moores or Michaels) for one print. if you had 10 prints you needed framed and matted, you're at $1000. if you spend $80 on a mat cutter (say you buy a nice one from A.C. Moores with a 50% off coupon), $5 on a piece of mat board, and $20 on a standard size frame from one of those places, that's around $330 for those same 10 prints. it's cost effective to get the mat cutter if you plan on doing this on a regular basis and/or are framing more than one or two prints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patron Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I'd like to buy a mat cutter eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjaicomo Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I might go to Blick and get my 40% off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I might go to Blick and get my 40% off. dooooo it. so mad the one close to me went out of business :[ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjaicomo Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Do I need any skills to cut a mat? Because I have no skills. None. I can't even read. So please respond with a symbol or picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
000000 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 frame from Michaels that has a really thin border and fits my print perfectly: $15 without a coupon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Do I need any skills to cut a mat? Because I have no skills. None. I can't even read.So please respond with a symbol or picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 but seriously. my dad has zero art related skills and he can cut a mat. that, and the fact that i haven't managed to cut a finger off doing it is proof that anyone can. as long as you make sure the bevel is going a uniform way (i.e. the opening of the mat has an edge that is slanted downward), and can do very basic math, you should be golden. i was an art major and i could handle the math, if that's any indication of the skill level required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 ikea frames fit most show posters20 - 35 Yep, thats what i was going to say. ikea has a good selection of frames that come with mats and if it doesnt fit the standard mat that comes with the frame, you can take the mat to Michaels/art shop and get the mat cut to fit your print and you should be golden. Last time i got a frame from ikea for about 30 bucks, and the mat recut at a local shop for about 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickemmons Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I can make custom frames and cut mats for cheap - I work for a photographer and we have a whole framing shop in our studio. I make a lot of frames for my own stuff out of exotic woods - if anyone is interested I can quote prices for anything you'd be interested in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecream Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Patrick do you by chance know the company name of the wood ? or is it local stuff ? for example most stores use the Larson-juhl brand from the uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Hundred Fifty-Two Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I'm just curious why getting something framed is so expensive. Is it because they don't get many customers so they have to make a killing on each one? Is it just because they can? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 i finally found some cheap ass frames at target... 18x24 for $7. theyre just 4 black arms that you slide together, then a back and some clear plastic. its nothing fancy, but it looks just as good as the same frames that go in the $20-30 range at ac moore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 i finally found some cheap ass frames at target... 18x24 for $7. theyre just 4 black arms that you slide together, then a back and some clear plastic.its nothing fancy, but it looks just as good as the same frames that go in the $20-30 range at ac moore. poster frames, you mean? those are different than actually wooden frames with glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 i just didnt see anywhere where he specified that he wanted heavy duty stuff- just wanted to throw out an easy/cheap option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 he said he wanted it to look nice, just not spend $200 a pop on one print. in my experience, poster frames that you're talking about look pretty amateur compared to a nice frame with glass. just my two cents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
user456 Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 You can purchase precut mats if you aren't into art projects. What size are the posters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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