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Just wanting to know of places to get good quality frames and matts. I've just done a family portrait session, and they want all 9 images in the one frame, prefering to have (all portrait) 1 : 5 x 7 and the rest (8) 4 x 6 But the only place I can find any frames for this many images in a nice layout eg: 3 : 4 x 6 on the top row, 2 :4 x 6 middle row with the 5 x 7 in the middle and then the bottom row of 3 : 4 x 6 's .
They want a dark timber frame for black and white images, so i am stuck! any help or advice is appreciated!

bigsarg

You should be able to find custom framers around your area.
I'm sure there'd be at least one in Shep.

yeah there is one I usually use but this family don't want to have to spend the amount it will cost to custom make something. ($220 which in my opinion was a great price for a custom made frame and matt)

So i've been searching google etc and figure I don't think i'll be able to get it all in the one frame so I'm thinking of suggesting to the family maybe splitting 4 images into a frame each and going length ways all in the one size whether that be 5 x 7 or 4 x 6's i'm not too phased, so now to try find frame and matt's for that, fingers crossed it'll be cheaper then the last attempt to please the family.

But thanks wink!

bigsarg7 wrote: ($220 which in my opinion was a great price for a custom made frame and matt)

yeah 220 is a pretty good price for custom made one that size - we have a couple of framers nearby and boy do they charge like solicitors.

The only way you are going to get cheaper is to track down a stock standard from from a retailer?

The thing is if you have enough space and the right tools framing is not that hard - great way to make a dollar on the side imo.

All this probably doesn't help you hopefully someone has seen something around that might suit your needs.

I bought a tool to cut the matt boards (approx $60) and a steel ruler (aprox $25). You can get these from art suppliers. In Melbourne, one such shop is Eckerleys. These shops also sell matt board - in various colours - approx $15 for A1 or A0 size.

You would also need a cutting mat (maybe $30 - from spotlight - but art supplies prob sell these too)

This way you could buy a frame from any shop, and DIY. My rough calculations would indicate a frame size of about 18x25 inches (leaving about 1.5 inches between edge and outside pictures, and 1.5 inches between pictures)

You might be able to spend just over $100 (or get client to "fund" most of it) , create a custom mattboard and end up being to cut matt boards for your own prints later.



Otherwise shops like IKEA maybe or cheap shops, kmart or Big W might sell something like what you are after .. (with 9 cutouts - 6x4 in portrait) and then find out if one of the custom framers can recut the matt for the centre picture.

Otherwise shops like IKEA maybe or cheap shops, kmart or Big W might sell something like what you are after .. (with 9 cutouts - 6x4 in portrait) and then find out if one of the custom framers can recut the matt for the centre pictur

Good idea, might look into that tomorrow! Thanks for the idea, hadn't crossed my mind!

rflower wrote:I bought a tool to cut the matt boards (approx $60) and a steel ruler (aprox $25). You can get these from art suppliers. In Melbourne, one such shop is Eckerleys. These shops also sell matt board - in various colours - approx $15 for A1 or A0 size.

Just factor in a few stuff ups and the practice time, I got myself one of the trick matt cutters and stuff, but it does take a few goes to get it all sweet.

Have you considered doing it in several frames and hanging them as a collection??? Trying to find a off-the-shelf frame to those specs will be pretty hard, most places dont like big multi-photo frames as they are hard to sell. Do however try Target and Kmart just in case.

Hey Guys good old SA is the place for frames
we have one of the largest frame makers around and his prices will knock those on the head easily
if you want i can get a price as postage should be around $35
cheers Jim

rflower wrote:I bought a tool to cut the matt boards (approx $60) and a steel ruler (aprox $25). You can get these from art suppliers. In Melbourne, one such shop is Eckerleys. These shops also sell matt board - in various colours - approx $15 for A1 or A0 size.

You would also need a cutting mat (maybe $30 - from spotlight - but art supplies prob sell these too)

Sadly, this is not the end of the story.
For the cutting mat, you can just use a piece of cardboard. YOu can pick one up for a couple of dollars at most art supply stores.
However, you don't want just any steel ruler. Most of the readily available ones are anything but straight. I Use a specialist Altos Mat cutting system, and a special 1m rule designed for a french mat cutting system (I forget the brand & it is out in the shed)

When you start cutting the frames, the money really starts to pile up. More on that if you want it.

Mr darcy, I've currently got our house on the market and intend on buying my parents house which is a lot larger and has main road access and I plan on turning the garage into a studio eventually and behind the future studio is already a perfect size workroom for an office / frame making room! So further info would be wonderful as its a definate path i would like to go down! But right now I am just not in the position to set up anywhere in this house so I can't even start the matt creating due to lack of room. So maybe once i get into the house I will contact you again on this topic!

Inmotion, If you could help out with your guy there i'd be very appreciative, I decided a nice layout would be simple and straight [ - - - - - - - - - ] in a row of 4 x 6 in a dark dark brown timber, and a white matt? (black an white images, but i don't like white with a dark brown....ideas?) so 9 in a row or broken up say a 5 and a 4 eg:[ - - - - - ] & [ - - - - ]
or maybe something like this:

I I I
I I I (these sides ones centre with the middle to keep balanced)
I I I

With the centre one being a 5 x 7 ? dunno not used to frames, i usually leave it to the client to sort out.

Frame and mat choice is very much a personal preference, but with BW photos and a white mat, I'd be thinking a black frame. Probably satin sheen at most.

With the brown frame, I'd go an off white mat of some kind. Maybe a grey or wander into the sepia tonings. Then a second black (or brown to match the frame) mat showing just 5mm all round the photo

Sounds nice, will have to see what they want, if they want the black and white images, i agree they would look nicer in a black frame with a white matt, but will see if they willl look at a slightly sepia tone if they still want a dark brown timber frame etc. Thanks for all your help.

inmotion wrote:Hey Guys good old SA is the place for frames
we have one of the largest frame makers around and his prices will knock those on the head easily

Hey Jim,
What company are you referring to?

Daniel, who needs to do some framing sooner or later...

This is a local guy (near Wollongong NSW) who is quite cheap: http://www.dnaframing.com.au/
I get my matt board from him and it's only $9.00 for a full sheet. I have no idea how much your custom frame would be, but it's worth asking.

bigsarg7, if you need help I had all the tool to do picture frame. because is my hobby , I send pm with my phone number. Carlos Happy new year to all......

I Will send A pic of options tomorrow
I have stock frame pics I can email if you want PM with your email address-Daniel as well to PM
cheers Jim

Double matt made as a sample ( 8 x 6x4 and 1 centre 5x7)
Cost $125 del to Victoria
ready to email or mms pics--jim

Sorry for bringing up an old thread but

Gadgit wrote:This is a local guy (near Wollongong NSW) who is quite cheap: http://www.dnaframing.com.au/
I get my matt board from him and it's only $9.00 for a full sheet.

I just did an order with DNA Framing for some pre-cut matts and I am very impressed with David at DNA Framing, very good price, communications, delivery, quality of product.

André