Cutom Framing - DIY

[sheepie]

(I did it all myself!!!)

Photo taken by: Me!
Electronic Darkroom by: Me!
Printed by: Me!
Frame Mat cut by: Me!
Frame cut and put together by: Me!
Nagging by: Amanda :/


Not as hard as you'd think

[W00DY]

Fantastic.... Well Done

Now where do we send our prints to be framed?

[birddog114]

Sheepie,
You're done well, have you got a job yet?

[Raydar]

Awesome work mate!!!!!!

Well done

Cheers
Ray

[MHD]

Sensational!!!!

[sirhc55]

Stunning. . . .

[xerubus]

good stuff sheepie....

what type of printer did you use? in the market for one at the moment...

[sheepie]

Epson R800 - Photo is approx 40cm long - printed on Epson Premium Paper (roll)

We went and got the stuff to cut the mat, frame, etc last weekend. Am plesently surprised at how it all came out

[Killakoala]

Well done Sheepie, it looks fantastic. And the photo is great too. I've done a few of these myself so i know what you go through to get it to look so good.

[Matt. K]

How'd you cut that bevelled matt? Did you use a Dextor matt cutter?
Nice job!

[Greg B]

Great work. Well done to you, and Amanda for staying on your case.

[birddog114]

Sheepie,
will you run a presentation/ demonstration how to frame like you did?
Very happy to host and open to our members. Please let me know, I'm seriously and want to learn.
We have PP then printing and now framing all DIY, what's a good ideas of this forum, we have heaps of talent here.
The latest action is bring them to the market with D70user's stall.

[Raydar]

we have heaps of talent here.
The latest action is bring them to the market with D70user's stall.

Great idea mate, why not!!!!!!!
or a web site

Cheers
Ray

[sheepie]

Great idea - let me get a little more experience with what I'm doing here, and then we can organise something

Would be more than willing to show others how it's done.

As for taking to market, I reckon we could pull our resources at some stage and give it a go - would be interesting to see the reaction of others to our shots !!!

I'm also interested in seeing if I can make this 'hobby' work for me down the track, so would be a useful experiment.

[Raydar]

One thing can be said-----it would be one awesome stall!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Great idea - let me get a little more experience with what I'm doing here, and then we can organise something

Would be more than willing to show others how it's done.

As for taking to market, I reckon we could pull our resources at some stage and give it a go - would be interesting to see the reaction of others to our shots !!!

I'm also interested in seeing if I can make this 'hobby' work for me down the track, so would be a useful experiment.

Please keep me posted and crank me if there're also requirements for resources as printer, photo paper and framing materials + equipments, should be lot of fun in doing this

[Onyx]

Looks sensational! How achievable is it to replicate for someone with two left thumbs?

What about cost effectiveness? I haven't seen those matt boards go for cheap...

[birddog114]

I have no ideas, I normally drop off my photos to some framing factories and they framed for me but very interesting want to see and learn the skills.

[sheepie]

I reckon if I can do it, anyone can. Years of watching my father make furniture and stuff didn't rub off any skills to my hands! As I said, I'm quite surprised at the ease that this can be done.


So far as cost-effective, it seems to be ok (once you have the tools). My estimate for the frame shown is as follows:

Timber, around $12
Matte, around $8, with plenty left over for another smaller pic!
Backing was I think about $2-3 worth of a much larger sheet I got for $10

Only other thing was glass, which (because I got this cut instead of doing it myself) was probably more expensive than it needed to be, at $15.

Total of less than $40.

All up, could probably bring the cost down to something like $25-30 by 'buying clever'.

Remember - the overall size of this thing is 540mm x 310mm.

[birddog114]

It's so cheap! I normally paid from $150.00 - $450.00 for a frame like that or more depend on style, 2 or 3 layers matt same standard or non mirror glass.
I travelled to Asia and brought back with me many paintings on canvas or silk and send them away for framing, the frames cost me more than the painting I paid at the original places.

I have all my tools, zigsaw, Mitre 10, router, Triton worktable etc... I can build a large timberhouse with all my tools, I bought them years ago new, some of them never used or take out from the box and now pack in my garage.

[sheepie]

Remember - the overall size of this thing is 540mm x 310mm.

Sorry - I put the wrong size up originally - now fixed


It's 540x310.

[Killakoala]

Sheepie!!

I like the colour of the frame. Did you stain the frame yourself? If so, what is the colour? is it walnut?

[sheepie]

I like the colour of the frame. Did you stain the frame yourself? If so, what is the colour? is it walnut?

The frame moulding came already stained - this particular one cost $5/mtr.
There is a huge range of moulds available. I have also seen moulding at Bunnings, but you have to stain these yourself - and I don't think they were any cheaper!

Colourwise, I'm no wood expert unfortunately!

This is the best pic I can get for closeness to the colour...

[Killakoala]

Thanks Sheepie...

[PlatinumWeaver]

Any chance of getting some step by step instructions?

[birddog114]

Any chance of getting some step by step instructions?

No, won't work that way. Workshop is great!

[PlatinumWeaver]

No, won't work that way. Workshop is great!

I'm confused!

[birddog114]

PlatinumWeaver hi,
We're talking a workshop for it before with sheepie, an instruction or guide to make it, is no good, cos all the materials will turn into firewood after.

[Matt. K]

I'd be glad to help out. I've made tons of frames and cut heaps of matboards. Without taking anything away from those who do it....with a few simple tools and a fair bit of time it is not too difficult. By the way...as a forum, perhaps we could all contribute to a computer controlled oval/anyshape mattcutter, some tools and raw materials to allow all members to produce their own matts and frames. Members could then pay for raw materials and a small fee for the use/upkeep of the tools?
Just a thought.

[ozimax]

Just browsing thru the posts, any more news on a framing/mat cutting workshop in Sydney? I would definitely be interested in joining in as I have thought of doing just that but not sure how to go about it. Have searched high and low on web for info but all I've come up with are books for sale.

I have some nice landscapes and a shop wanting to stock my photos but the cost of buying frames/mats etc is too high to make things sustainable.

Max

[MHD]

I'd be glad to help out. I've made tons of frames and cut heaps of matboards. Without taking anything away from those who do it....with a few simple tools and a fair bit of time it is not too difficult. By the way...as a forum, perhaps we could all contribute to a computer controlled oval/anyshape mattcutter, some tools and raw materials to allow all members to produce their own matts and frames. Members could then pay for raw materials and a small fee for the use/upkeep of the tools?
Just a thought.

interesting thought! How much investment are you talking?

[gstark]

As it happens, on my penultimate day in LA I called in to a Samy's store, and happenned to see some mat making materials there for sale. I didn't even think about this thread.

Somebody slap me.


please ....

[Regdor]

I like your gallery set-up and exif info display.

How do you find Smugmug compared to Pbase?

Rodger.

[sheepie]

I'm thinking of doing something on framing early in March (yes, I know it's a long way away - but you'll be surprised how quickly it comes up!).

Will be talking with Birddog, etc. soon to organise

[leigh999]

What equipment was used to cut the bevelled edge matt? I have tried using a cheap cutter ($20) but can't get thru that 5mm board. The serious cutters are $150 - $200 dollars in art stores - is that what you are using?

Rebecca

[Mj]

mmm... ok... first of all Gary can consider himself slapped !!!
Gary perhaps you should contact Samy's and get some prices on equipment for this sort of thing.

Secondly... I think it would be a great idea for us to investigate framing options as we are likely to have an increasing number of members who would like to actually print and hang their work.

Only really problem will be... if we were to invest in some serious tools to do this... where to house and use them... we can't really prevail upon Birddog's generousity for every purpose. I may be in a position to help later this year if renovations go better than currently experienced... but I can't promise anything just yet.

Michael.

[sheepie]

Try these guys....

http://www.frameco-online.com/shopaust/prod30.htm

THis set comes with a cutter which makes the job (reasonably) easy:

[sheepie]

I like your gallery set-up and exif info display.

How do you find Smugmug compared to Pbase?

Rodger.

Having not used Pbase myself, I can't really comment on a comparison of use. I can say I prefer the overall look and performance of SmugMug. I like the fact that there is no real limit on how much I can put into my gallery, and even the traffic limit is pretty generous.
Day-to-day use of SmugMug has proven to be simple and responsive. I'm on cable, so any slow-down in response I kindof notice, and I haven't once had an issue with SmugMug. I can't say that for other gallery sites I've looked at

If you want more info, or are interested in setting up a gallery with smugmug, let me know. I have a referal code that will save you money (others on this forum will also have referals).

Regards

[AlistairF]

The guy at my local framing shop gave me a demo of his robotic matt cutter... it cost him $50,000 but was pretty amazing with the complexity and volume of matts that it could make.

I've been using a Logan matt cutting system http://www.logangraphic.com/ which is quite foolproof to use. I also use a Makita drop saw with a nice sharp tungsten blade and join my frame with a V-nailer http://www.contact.com.au/veezy/ and a little PVA glue. Then clamp it all together with a four-cornered framing strap clamp.

Another trick that my local framing store guy showed me was that when you're using black or dark colored frames, paint the inside edges of your joints with a black permanent felt pen. That way when you join the frame you can't see into the joint, giving a really nice professional look. It really works.

I think i'll have to document the next photo I frame (with my D70 of course).

[PlatinumWeaver]

*bump*

Workshop is when again?

[sheepie]

hrrmmmm - I'll get back to you on that one

Thanks for the reminder! Am thinking of asking someone from one of the supply shops around Sydney if they'll do one for us

[Matt. K]

I use a Dexter mattcutter...about $50. Takes a little practice. You can use a mitre saw....the hand type...don't need a power saw, to cut the frame. I have seen them at Bunnings for around $30. It takes a little time to cut a matt and make a frame but it can be very satisfying. You can also use a glaziers gun to drive little metal spikes into the back to hold the backing board. Incidently, archival, acid free matt board costs an arm and a leg and it's the only stuff to use for serious work.

[PlatinumWeaver]

*bump*

I can keep doing this all year! When's the workshop?

[birddog114]

*bump*

I can keep doing this all year! When's the workshop?

The workshop was presented by Sheepie at the mini meet last week in Sydney.

[sheepie]

I'll bring the gear again in a couple of weeks - not this saturday, as I'll be in Melbourne

[birddog114]

I'll bring the gear again in a couple of weeks - not this saturday, as I'll be in Melbourne

Are you looking for GregB?
We will have rain here soon, if it's the case, pls. don't go

[PlatinumWeaver]

oh bother...


hey! i'm in melb!

[pippin88]

I'm looking at getting into basic mounting for my photos (not framing at this stage), but I'm having a hell of a time finding what I need for the basics, and how to assemble it all.

Can someone point me to a guide or give me a quick rundown?

From what I can work out:
I need:
A mat cutter.
Mat board.
Foam board.
Adhesive tape, and some form of adhesive for between the mat and foam board.

I cut the mat to size and cut a windown in it, then attach the photo to it with tape on the back. Then I need to stick the foam board onto the back of this using an adhesive?

Sound about right?

[birddog114]

I'm looking at getting into basic mounting for my photos (not framing at this stage), but I'm having a hell of a time finding what I need for the basics, and how to assemble it all.

Can someone point me to a guide or give me a quick rundown?

Sheepie is the one, he demonstrated once at the mini meet but not many people interested so he put it off.

Sheepie is now out of town, won't be back next week.

I mostly framed all my photos and painting by Custom made and order the styles I wanted, not to bother to DIY, you have to do it very often then you'll see the benefits otherwise it's not.

[rokkstar]

I'm looking at getting into basic mounting for my photos (not framing at this stage), but I'm having a hell of a time finding what I need for the basics, and how to assemble it all.

Can someone point me to a guide or give me a quick rundown?

From what I can work out:
I need:
A mat cutter.
Mat board.
Foam board.
Adhesive tape, and some form of adhesive for between the mat and foam board.

I cut the mat to size and cut a windown in it, then attach the photo to it with tape on the back. Then I need to stick the foam board onto the back of this using an adhesive?

Sound about right?

I'm looking to do exactly the same and that looks to be what I need to get into. I missed the first Sheepie demonstration unfortunately and if he is ever thinking of doing ti again I would love to come and join in.
I think frame-co has some basic tools which look idiot proof- perfect for me - and I think there are some kits for around $150.

As for the whispers and hints of a DSLR stall or website well I think that is a terrific idea. I don't know about stalls, but I know about sites, and that wouldn't be hard to knock up at all.