Framing Q's

[I Simonius]

I wondered whether if I ordered some prints from SM myself with a view to framing them say 11 by 14, or 16 by 20, sort of size, there was a recommended framing service or a way to learn framing myself that others recommend?

BTW I'm in the UK.

[dragon300zx]

I wondered whether if I ordered some prints from SM myself with a view to framing them say 11 by 14, or 16 by 20, sort of size, there was a recommended framing service or a way to learn framing myself that others recommend?

BTW I'm in the UK.

Hmm, What part of the framing are you concerned about? The matting? The frame choice? The glass? The more specific you can be about where you are starting from the easier it will be for us to give you answers.

For example the matting is actually easy, and I could walk you through that on here no problem. The frame assembly is some what more challenging but it is still fairly simple if you have the right tools. If you buy a pre-made frame, then framing them is really simple.

[caroline]

I wondered whether if I ordered some prints from SM myself with a view to framing them say 11 by 14, or 16 by 20, sort of size, there was a recommended framing service or a way to learn framing myself that others recommend?

BTW I'm in the UK.

Hi Simon
I'm also in the UK:D
I can recommend Lion Framing http://www.lionpic.co.uk/ for all kinds of materials connected with framing. I've used them for years and found them helpful on the occasions when I coundn't think of the correct techie words to describe what I needed especially:scratch

From memory I believe their catalogue has some books on framing in it. My personal view is that no matter what the choice of frame, if the matt is not cut 110% accurately - forget it.
http://www.cotswoldmounts.co.uk supply pre cut mounts at competitive prices and quality, not sure whether they do custom sizes but its a good idea to follow standard overall sizes and apertures if printing images of the sizes you mention.
Hope this helps

Caroline

[I Simonius]

Hmm, What part of the framing are you concerned about? The matting? The frame choice? The glass? The more specific you can be about where you are starting from the easier it will be for us to give you answers.

For example the matting is actually easy, and I could walk you through that on here no problem. The frame assembly is some what more challenging but it is still fairly simple if you have the right tools. If you buy a pre-made frame, then framing them is really simple.

I haven't really thought it through so thank you for putting me on the spot!

I suppose I was thinking i terms of the fairly plain frames Ive seen that work well with B+W (for exhibition and sale) of white matting with a black frame (wood?) which I thought I should be able to learn myself: I think as far as colour goes I was thinking of just the matting but I see no reason why if after getting the hang of Black frames I shouldn't look to making my own colour frames.

Problem is I have no idea where to start, does one just get a book , what equipment is needed etc?

I presume I should start with learning how to do the matting first , and once I have a few pics matted up, and got the hang (excuse pun) of it, look to putting them behind glass and frame..so I think I definitely want to learn the matting process yself, then depending on how hard that it I will then try to learn the actual framing and putting behind glass, OR get a pro do do those last bits, unless there is a good place to get premade frames andf glass, on ly requiring m to matt them up first

[I Simonius]

Hi Simon
I'm also in the UK:D
I can recommend Lion Framing http://www.lionpic.co.uk/ for all kinds of materials connected with framing. I've used them for years and found them helpful on the occasions when I coundn't think of the correct techie words to describe what I needed especially:scratch

From memory I believe their catalogue has some books on framing in it. My personal view is that no matter what the choice of frame, if the matt is not cut 110% accurately - forget it.
http://www.cotswoldmounts.co.uk supply pre cut mounts at competitive prices and quality, not sure whether they do custom sizes but its a good idea to follow standard overall sizes and apertures if printing images of the sizes you mention.
Hope this helps

Caroline

thanks for those links Caroline, yes I guess I wil try to stick to dstandard sizes generally , I was going to order some prints from SM and take it from there..

why is it so important to get the matting 110% right ?I suppose te frame wobbles otherwise?

[dragon300zx]

Matting is fairly easy. And there are ton's of tutorials online to learn out to do it. I will also create a tutorial to post here on dgrin in the next few days. But I will say now it is the right place to start. I personally have bought my equipment as I have needed it and could afford it.

The matting needs to be right because it is what puts the focus on the picture, bad matting will take away from the picture.

For now start by reading up on matting (do a google search for "matting photos at home") and stay tuned and I will have a tutorial oh the process I use online in a day or two.

[cmason]

I have just started this out of necessity. Could not find 8x12 frames, so i bought 9x12 frames and cut the mat myself. It was very easy. Look in Micheal's or other art store for Logan Mat cutters. I bought a kit for about $70, a large piece of mat board for $9, and cut the mat myself.

At this point, I am buying ready made frames, either those from Target with glass and mat already (I replace the mat) or frames with glass from Jerry's Artarama or other places. Have not seen a need to build my own frames yet.

[Art Scott]

I helpped my former boss at the local University make a frame for a photo he bought his wife for christmas in 2005......here is alist of tools we used.....

1- powered Miter (oh yeah you in UK, so i bet it is Mitre) Saw...used to cut wood to length and then Mitre corners for perfect fit......

2- plunge router.....for cuttin "ledge" for glass & photo to rest on.....

3- braid nail gun (air operated of course)...You could very well use panel nails and a hammer, but we found the air nailer to be better at NOT splitting the wood.....

as for tools this was it, aside from a little sand paper......

we made 2 frames as the first one split as he was trying to hand drive the brads into hundred year old oak........carpentry is one of his hobbies (actually cabinet making)................


Hope this helps....

[I Simonius]

Matting is fairly easy. And there are ton's of tutorials online to learn out to do it. I will also create a tutorial to post here on dgrin in the next few days. But I will say now it is the right place to start. I personally have bought my equipment as I have needed it and could afford it.

The matting needs to be right because it is what puts the focus on the picture, bad matting will take away from the picture.

For now start by reading up on matting (do a google search for "matting photos at home") and stay tuned and I will have a tutorial oh the process I use online in a day or two.

wow that's great, thanks!:thumb

[I Simonius]

I have just started this out of necessity. Could not find 8x12 frames, so i bought 9x12 frames and cut the mat myself. It was very easy. Look in Micheal's or other art store for Logan Mat cutters. I bought a kit for about $70, a large piece of mat board for $9, and cut the mat myself.

At this point, I am buying ready made frames, either those from Target with glass and mat already (I replace the mat) or frames with glass from Jerry's Artarama or other places. Have not seen a need to build my own frames yet.


So you recommend getting the frames first then printing and matting accordingly - it's a thought.;-)

just a reminder - Im in the UK

[I Simonius]

I helpped my former boss at the local University make a frame for a photo he bought his wife for christmas in 2005......here is alist of tools we used.....

1- powered Miter (oh yeah you in UK, so i bet it is Mitre) Saw...used to cut wood to length and then Mitre corners for perfect fit......

2- plunge router.....for cuttin "ledge" for glass & photo to rest on.....

3- braid nail gun (air operated of course)...You could very well use panel nails and a hammer, but we found the air nailer to be better at NOT splitting the wood.....

as for tools this was it, aside from a little sand paper......

we made 2 frames as the first one split as he was trying to hand drive the brads into hundred year old oak........carpentry is one of his hobbies (actually cabinet making)................


Hope this helps....

thanks for that list Art and yes, you're right, it is 'Mitre' over here ;-) :D

[cmason]

So you recommend getting the frames first then printing and matting accordingly - it's a thought.;-)

just a reminder - Im in the UK

Sorry, guess I don't understand your point about being in the UK?

Certainly buying ready made frames locally will be cheaper than shipping a finshed photo...

If you are referring to metric vs imperial measurements, this is the reason I cut my own mat: I buy whatever frame I like, then cut the mat according to photo size...just as long as the frame is large enough for the print, it makes no difference what size the print or the frame really are.