Question Advice on matting and backing board?

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vroom_skies

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Connecticut
Hey all,
I'm going to enter some of my work in a competition soon and had a few quick questions. They don't want the work framed, but they want it matted with backing board. I'm looking to keep the costs down and it doesn't have to be museum quality products by any means.

I was just curious as to where you all would suggest buying online and what size backing board you would use?



Thanks a bunch for the insight.
 
I would not recommend going online for this. Instead, go to your local custom picture framer. They will be much more qualified to answer your questions and sell you the right products for your project. Buying local is much better!
 
I agree with Don. Most frame shops won't cut a mat without having the picture/artwork present because 1/16" difference in measurement can be quite significant when matting or even trimming a backing board.

It would be difficult to get the right products on line and in the right sizes even if you can actually talk with someone and explain your needs. If you go to a local framer you will not only be keeping the business in your own home town, you will also be supporting a fellow artisan and get the right products the first time ultimately saving money.

Shipping cut boards is precarious also.
 
vroom_skies said:
I was just curious as to where you all would suggest buying online and what size backing board you would use?
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For a window mat and backing board, the others are right - a local custom framer can cut the boards perfectly and, since you do not have to pay for packing/shipping, the price probably would be less, and you would have no concerns about delays or damage in transit. Size of backing board would depend on size of artwork.

While you may want to save every penny, keep in mind that using better matboard makes a better appearance, which says a lot about the art and the artist. The cost difference for typical sizes would be under $10. If the observers at the exhibit can tell from your presentation that you place high value on your work and care about preserving it, that would probably give them a better perception of your artwork. But if the observers get the idea that you place little value on your work and care not about preserving it, then their perception may go the wrong way.
 
Thanks for the insight everyone.
I have no desire to cheap out on the quality, but I by no means have money to waste. I'm just trying to find that quality to price ratio.
I didn't word the first post correctly. I'm doing the mat cutting myself, it's just been awhile since I bought supplies and was curious as to if there is anything else out there now.
I'm looking for non windowed sheets of mat, the work will be 16x20 on the large size, so the largest mat and backing board should be 20x24. For backing board size I was referring to the width. Would 1/8th suffice for my size prints or would ya suggest 3/16th?

I wanted to go with 6 ply or 8 ply mat and 3/16th backing board, but am having a hard time finding exactly what I'm looking for.
The few sites that seem to be within reason so far are www.redimat.com , www.matcutter.com & www.goldenstateart.com

If it was one or two prints it wouldn't be bad at all, though I'm doing ten or so and the price just starts to add up when ya have to buy that much.

Thanks
 
try lightimpressions.com

don't be surprised at shipping costs, though no matter where you order from.
 
The standard size for matboards and foam boards is 32" x 40", so that's what you should buy. If you have your online supplier cut the boards to size, you may have to pay an additional fee for that labor. I still think a local framer could provide the boards you need at a competitive price, maybe sized at no additional charge, since you would not have to pay for packing/shipping.
 
Ask around, contact your local framers. I work with a lot of artists and understand their budget needs. On their side, they understand that I have a business to run.

I sell uncut matboard to them at a very reasonable price. They have to size it themselves but then, if they plan to cut the mats, the sizing shouldn't be a problem.

Not every framer will do this, so please respect that as well. Shipping and cost of cutting it to size will not make it worth it to buy online.
 
If you are looking for extremely low end materials and are willing to buy in bulk a local framer might be able to help you better than online or the big box stores. You will have to do some searching though. We have access to extreme low end mat boards but they usually have to be ordered by the box (25 32x40 sheets) and have no conservation quality whatsoever. You’d have to find a local framer who knows what they are, where to get them and is willing to sell them to you.

Ed
 
If you are looking for extremely low end materials and are willing to buy in bulk a local framer might be able to help you better than online or the big box stores. You will have to do some searching though.
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Most of the framers in our area now stock and sell Class I and Class II matboards, and I guess that's going on all over the country.

Framers who would would be delighted to get rid of their aging, no-longer-desirable inventory of the cheaper, "acid free" and "white core" Class III matboards might be willing to make some very good deals. In our shop, we used them up several years ago for practice cuts and slip-sheets.

vroom_skies said:
I have no desire to cheap out on the quality, but I by no means have money to waste.
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Class I seems like overkill for you, but the retail framing market today uses mostly Class II matboards, because that represents the best value, and it's probably the best choice for you, as well. Class III is good for "decorative" framing, where longevity doesn't matter. If you don't care how long your artwork lasts, then maybe that's for you.
 
Contact all of the independent shops in your area and you will find one who will add to their order. When customers buy full boxes of mat board from me I charge them listed wholesale price. I don't do any shipping but you will find a shop who will add a case to their weekly order at very low mark ups.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
I'll weight the options and see what works best for me.

On a side note I have another question.
I have a C&H Advantage Pro and it turns out I need a "Bevel holder top plate" #8861

I'm having a difficult time finding this and would hope that you guys may have some insight.
Thanks a bunch.
 
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