Opinions Wanted mat scraps

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dans camera framer

Grumbler in Training
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May 25, 2010
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We are a camera shop with a custom framing shop within. I was wondering how many, on the average, frame corner, mat samples you offer to your customers? In addition, What do you do with the mat remnants that are too small to save but big enough that you don't want to throw away. We already have too many ready made mats & way too many scraps. Are there any camera stores or other stores that have a frame department that may have this issue?:confused:
 
I would suggest having a minimum size that you save. Mine is 12" on the short side. I have others go as high as 20". Smaller then that you can put them in a box for school art teachers etc... The issue here is the beveled edges can be quite sharp and some won't take them.

You can also get a rubber stamp that with your shop name and website to stamp the middle of the scraps that you send out.

Another option is to put them in paper grocery bags and sell them by the bag. Photographers as you already know are about as cheap a group as you can find and might purchase a bag full for $5. Of course this could also be taking $ out of your pocket if you were selling them cut mats.
 
I have quite a few local art teachers/art schools/pre schools on an email list. When my box is full, I send an email to the first one on the list (it rotates of course).

Anything 10" or under goes into that box. I frame a lot of smaller art work and use 'scraps' as double mats.
 
Besides schools and other organizations, libraries love them.
 
Signage, kid's programs... same thing the schools use them for.

In addition, at least in the state of Michigan, you can take up to a $ 250.00 tax credit for donations to schools and libraries.
 
I use them to improve my ninja skills and make them into throwing stars. :thumbsup:
 
I cut the smaller stuff down to the following sizes.
12 x 16 to mat 8 x 12s
12 x 14 to mat 8 x 10s
12 1/2 x 15 to mat 8 1/2 x 11 documents.

Every time you sell an 8 x 10 show them the print in a mat..... Then sell them a custom frame.

Smaller yet sizes make good stiffeners for print delivery envelopes. You should never have to buy chipboard again.

Doug
 
FrameMakers said:
I would suggest having a minimum size that you save. Mine is 12" on the short side. I have others go as high as 20". Smaller then that you can put them in a box for school art teachers etc... The issue here is the beveled edges can be quite sharp and some won't take them.

You can also get a rubber stamp that with your shop name and website to stamp the middle of the scraps that you send out.

Another option is to put them in paper grocery bags and sell them by the bag. Photographers as you already know are about as cheap a group as you can find and might purchase a bag full for $5. Of course this could also be taking $ out of your pocket if you were selling them cut mats.
Click to expand...

Wait a minute, I resemble that remark, we prefer to think of ourselves as thrifty and resourceful :thumbsup:
 
We will have to look into donations. If we do have scraps, they are really small. We cut some more standard size blanks out of other scraps if it is big enough (5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 12x14, 12x16, 16x20 and a couple other custom sizes I cant recall off hand).
 
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