Barbie Says, "Title Notches Are HARD!"

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jim_p

jim_p

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Posts
2,151
Loc
Natick, MA
So today I was delivering a frame to a friend/customer, and she mentioned another piece that she wants to bring to me in the near future. Last November she brought it to a well-known Big Box framer, and the final design included a title notch in the mat. The designer indicated that the title notch would be no problem. First call to check progress: "We have a materials issue". Then a call on Dec. 22: "We can't do the title notch after all".

Okay, so: why would someone promise a feature that they couldn't deliver? And WHY might they not be able to deliver? Yes, title notches take a tiny bit of skill to cut on a manual cutter, but shouldn't a BB have a CMC?

Not to worry, it got me the job :)
 
Actually Jim, without a mat base extension allowing your mat guide to go the distance to measure the vertical sides of the "notch", cutting a notch mat, WELL is not as easy**. Cutting one Yes, but ending up with even and parallel exposure of a second layer is a bit tricky.

Indeed if it is only a single mat....that's typically a slam dunk, and no, not every BB has a CMC. The framing department in a BB regardless of name are just like independent frame shops....they can vary from shop to shop and are dependent upon the experience and attitude of the current staff, and many don't have a CMC.

My guess is that the framer who first took the order thought it was fairly routine and discovered that there was more to it than they first estimated.

John

P.S. On a side note, I think that drop down title notches might be one of the most distracting framing designs still executed (typically customer requests). We often explain that the artist deliberately had the title printed low as a reference only so that it could be covered once framed. ;)

** Yes, there are ways to "cheat" and execute this type of cut without a base extension, typically involving cutting the bottom mat first and reassembling.
 
My guess is that the 'framer' might have had some experience at another shop. Then after they sold it they found out that 'we don't do that'.

Guess #2 The title was printed a bit off center and when they ordered the mat, it didn't line up. I always measure the horizontal location of the title.

I also agree with John that the typical drop down is extremely distracting with its hard corners. I often add other elements to make the drop down part of the design.

ThePaddock.jpg
 
Thumbsup!

Nice job Dave,

Particularly as this is a tough image with an additional line around the print as well. The two tone mat also helps minimize attention to the detail cuts. :thumbsup:

John
 
That's a great design, Dave. Very good solution, and it actually enhances the mood of the art.

As far as a standard rectangular title drop, what would be so hard about marking the design on the board in pencil and cutting to your lines? (It's like a cashier who can't make proper change unless the cash register tells them what the amount is.) It would be easy to locate even an off-center drop using this method.
:cool: Rick
 
Don't know why anyone would find these hard to cut even as a double. I know I hate them because of the way they look. Or at least I did until I saw Dave's AWESOME design! When I steal it I'll put "based on a design by Dave." on the back.
 
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