Cutom Framing - DIY

[birddog114]

IMHO, few members on this board has some excellent skills, and they want to help you all with few DIY projects, Photoshop, experiment with the flashes as SB800/ SB600, but it seems to me they withdrew or hesitate to re-introduce their offers due to the laidback or not good responding.

[pippin88]

Bump on this.

I think Sheepie might be back?

[PiroStitch]

You can do what I did and cheat

Go to el-cheapo places like Warehouse or whatever you have up north and buy the framed large prints. Check the back of it tho to make sure you can actually take the backing off.

The prints are usually glued down to the backing board, but it's fairly cheap stuff so just rip it off. If your pic doesn't fill up the entire frame, go to an art and craft shop to get some mountboard and cut the mount board to size.

Measure the pic on the mount board and reduce that size by about 5mm or 10mm on each side, so that when you stick it down, the mount board creates a bit of a border as well around your pic.

Stick the pic to the mount board and pop it into the frame. Voila

I know this is dodgy and a fair bit on the labourious side of things + the fact that you may not get the exact frame and style you want, but if you just want to try it out, personally it's fairly easy to do.

I just framed a 50cmx75cm (20x30) photo this way by using a 60cm x 90cm frame. In total the cost was around $60 inc. photo printing, mountboard and the frame. Of course this doesn't take into consideration the time lost to looking for the frame + labour.

[birddog114]

You can do what I did and cheat

Go to el-cheapo places like Warehouse or whatever you have up north and buy the framed large prints. Check the back of it tho to make sure you can actually take the backing off.

The prints are usually glued down to the backing board, but it's fairly cheap stuff so just rip it off. If your pic doesn't fill up the entire frame, go to an art and craft shop to get some mountboard and cut the mount board to size.

Measure the pic on the mount board and reduce that size by about 5mm or 10mm on each side, so that when you stick it down, the mount board creates a bit of a border as well around your pic.

Stick the pic to the mount board and pop it into the frame. Voila

I know this is dodgy and a fair bit on the labourious side of things + the fact that you may not get the exact frame and style you want, but if you just want to try it out, personally it's fairly easy to do.

I just framed a 50cmx75cm (20x30) photo this way by using a 60cm x 90cm frame. In total the cost was around $60 inc. photo printing, mountboard and the frame. Of course this doesn't take into consideration the time lost to looking for the frame + labour.

That's a good option!
But, all my displayed photos + paintings (Over 60, few of them in 1.5m x 2.8m) at my place done by one of the Custom made frame factory not far from my place, average of the above mentioned size 60cm x 90 cm is around $60.00, they have million of borders in all styles, colours, we just picked and matching with our styles, colour of the photos and they frame for us, in standard or non reflective glass.

Members who came here last week all saw three new frames same as series of displayed photos and painting inside the house.

I recently got one pano from sheepie done in pano same as given to Poon one which he brought back to HKG last month.

They're damm cheap! so I didn't bother to find out what can I do in DIY, actually I think will more expensive by the way I am doing than just brimg straight to them.

[PiroStitch]

Birddog, if I had your option I'd definitely take it. Unfortunately, Im still researching for someone who can do it for a competitive price

[pippin88]

Birddy - Can you give me the details of that place please?

So you got that large prints framed for $60? Incredible! No point DIY at that price. Was that for a mounted print, or was that hand them a photo and get it returned framed all for that price?

Could you take a picture of an example and post it up please? Would be greatly appreciated.

[birddog114]

Birddy - Can you give me the details of that place please?

So you got that large prints framed for $60? Incredible!

Could you take a picture of an example and post it up please? Would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have their details handy, but will show you next time you come to the mini meet.

No, the framing of pano is more expensive than that, $60.00 as what I referred to Pirostich mention about 60 cm x 90cm and depends on what style and type of frame, you need to come and see then you can make up your mind, posting a picture here doesn't make justice.

[pippin88]

I don't have their details handy, but will show you next time you come to the mini meet.

No, the framing of pano is more expensive than that, $60.00 as what I referred to Pirostich mention about 60 cm x 90cm and depends on what style and type of frame, you need to come and see then you can make up your mind, posting a picture here doesn't make justice.

Ok, thanks.

Will try to attend a mini meet soon.

[sheepie]

At the prices Birddog mentioned, you'd be hard pressed to beat that! If you still want to do it yourself then Frameco has good starter packs (what I've got). Also, am working on somewhere local which may be willing to help us out

[pippin88]

At the prices Birddog mentioned, you'd be hard pressed to beat that! If you still want to do it yourself then Frameco has good starter packs (what I've got). Also, am working on somewhere local which may be willing to help us out

I might still get into mounting my own pictures up, as I have a few ideas for flogging mounted pictures, but that sort of price is hard to beat.

Probably cheaper again if you present them with mounted pictures.

[birddog114]

Probably cheaper again if you present them with mounted pictures.

I don't think it's, and I don't mind to let them do everything for me.

[LostDingo]

Personally, I would suggest when presenting to a framer to leave unmounted, let them help you in choosing a proper border size for your photo.

[birddog114]

Personally, I would suggest when presenting to a framer to leave unmounted, let them help you in choosing a proper border size for your photo.

That what we want!

[Matt. K]

It takes a little practice until you get the skills required...but well within anyones capabilities. You need a matt cutter and the cheapest are the hand-held ones for around $50. ( I use a Dexter). They do take a little practice...it's the marking out and allowing for the bevel that can be a bit tricky. Museum grade matt board is VERY expensive...so you want to start off with something a little cheaper. Get books from the local library or search the web for tips. Sheepie is doing a good job and should be able to give a demo when he gets back. Once you have done 3 or 4 then you will be a satisfied master.

[sheepie]

Sheepie is doing a good job and should be able to give a demo when he gets back.

*** waves ***
I'm back! Was only gone for a longish weekend!

At some stage I'll bring the gear along to a mini-meet again. Only problem is they all seem to be on when I'm not in town at the moment!!!

I'll post my intention to bring the gear in the mini-meet thread so everyone knows

[stubbsy]

At some stage I'll bring the gear along to a mini-meet again. Only problem is they all seem to be on when I'm not in town at the moment!!!

Slow learner Leon? When's the Christmas dinner?

[sheepie]

At some stage I'll bring the gear along to a mini-meet again. Only problem is they all seem to be on when I'm not in town at the moment!!!

Slow learner Leon? When's the Christmas dinner?

hrrmrmmm - I'm starting to wonder

[optogamut]

For those interested, check out your local evening college. My local one, Nepean Community College has a picture framing course I did a couple of years ago. You even get supervised while you frame a couple of your own picture during the course.

[gecko]

Browsing around and found this...

http://www.a1frames.com.au/index.asp

Could be interesting - I might go and check them out sometime soon.

Cheers
Gecko

[birddog114]

For Sydneysiders,
DIY is not very competitive, though, it's fun but if you find a good framing maker, you only pay from 50 - 110.00 for a nice frame with double mat layers and excellent frame.

[redline]

we learn to do own our framing at school.
crescent matt boards can be obtained at wholesale prices ~6.50 per 32x40 sheet and we use kastor matt cutters. it takes me roughly 8-10 mins to measure and cut one board.

[pippin88]

For Sydneysiders,
DIY is not very competitive, though, it's fun but if you find a good framing maker, you only pay from 50 - 110.00 for a nice frame with double mat layers and excellent frame.

I was looking at doing them myself, but Birddy introduced me to a wholesale place.

Got them done (Frame assembled + mat and backing cut) for less than the materials cost if I did them from scratch.

[Colcam]

For those who wish to frame their own prints, there are a few places around that will do the job for a cheaper price of course, but try the actual frame moulding suppliers to the trade. They all have huge showrooms and almost all have what is called a Chop service. Name the dimensions and they will cut the mouldings to size with the very best gear. No waste either. Most can cut the matboards for you too if you wanted to avoid the local framing shop. Look up names like Marks & Co., Hughes Mouldings, Megawood, Larson-Juhl, Antons Mouldings, etc
I am a picture framer among other things and am happy to advise if questions are forthcoming.
The general procedure is to cut a matboard to fit the image (same source if you don't have a cutter) with the required amount of border around it. Add another layer if you wish with another colour to accent the image (the two mats are simply glued together with PVA if you don't have the trick stuff. Find a framing shop with a computer mat cuuter and he can do it in a flick of the eye. Hopefully cheaply.

Carefully roll the print onto a piece of self-adhesive foamcore backing board (same source as mouldings) cut to about 13mm bigger than the matboard using the matboard to locate it BEFORE removing the cover paper(cut gently around the print to just through the cover paper so that the print can be stuck down without exposing the adhesive around the outside of the print. This enables you to weight it down with books, etc., to finalise the adhesive if you don't have a vacuum press.
Then remove the outside piece of cover paper & stick the matboard down in place, trim the edges of the foamcore and whack it in a frame.

I say all of this with it clearly in my mind, but if I have not made it clear, please advise.

I am on the Sunshine Coast of Qld. & can do Special Prices for members if approached with a smile.
All the best
Col

[Zeeke]

Col, nice offer there mate.. and thanks for the tips.. i wanna start doing some framing.. doesnt look too hard..

a chop here.. a chop there.. bang it together with a hammer and a few screws... find some old glass... cheap stuff from the salvage places will do..

Matboard looks hard tho.. maybe i can steal a few realestate signs and cut them up.. just spraypaint them the colour i need

just kidding.. but looks like a fun and interesting hobby


Tim

[gecko]

Thanks for the info Col
I did a framing course a long time ago and have forgotten the details.
I was browsing around at my workplace recently and found we have a mat cutter (we also have a programmable laser cutter, but I am pretty sure it won't cut beveled edges)
Might take you up on your special prices offer in the near future!

Cheers
Gecko