Source for larger than 40" x 60" mat board?

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J

Jana

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Aug 12, 2000
Posts
2,396
Loc
Mansfield, Ohio
I have another oversize mat board question and checked in the archives but wasn't sure where to look.

We gave a tentative estimate at our shop for a 48" x 48" black mat, thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to find the archival board. After an initial check in our suppliers' catalogs, we only discovered white or cream in the next size beyond 40" x 60". We thought about piecing it, but the customer doesn't want any seams.

We are considering suggesting a cloth-covered mat, but we're not sure the customer will go for the extra expense.

Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
I know Tru Vue came out with some "Monster" mats awhile ago. I think they are about 48" x 72" or so. Since no one has a mat cutter which will handle mats so large you will have to cut them with a straight edge and hand held mat cutter; not my favorite way to cut mats. The last time I checked these mats are only available at their headquarters near Chicago. Please call them and see what's up. Good luck.
 
Option-1
LeWinter carries the tru-vue monster boards. I don't Know if they deliver to Mansfield or not. I recently needed a specialty Tru-vue oversized board that larson dosen't stock. I had lewinter deliver the board to a framer in Zanesville.

Option-2
cut 4 beveled strips and miter the corners. you will only need 1 40x60 board to do this.

Option-3 use cresent 48X72 board that both Culvers & Larson carry and paint the mat with a roller.

Diver Dave
 
IfI may? SELL YOURSELF! Let the customer know that you as the professional, suggest the hand wrapped mat is the way to go and give him or her no other option! 1. Its going to be easier on you, get 48x96 foamcore and get black material and you know the rest.2. Let him or her know it will be a SPECIAL order and they will pay more for the other option! 3. And if you give them a little off to acieve the easier option so what if its that big isnt it a fact that you will make more on this big frame job than a smaller order? Just my opinion and by all means good luck to you.Blue Skies to you!!!!
 
How about doing a "glass mat"? If you've never done this it really is simple. That size you're probably using plexi for glazing. Just mark out the size of your mat and cut out and remove the paper covering on those areas you want black. Try not to overcut in the corners. Good old Krylon Ultra Flat Black works quite well for painting glass. Give it several coats. It will look like a shiny black from the outside. The customer may not like the shiny look so it is best to do a sample for them first, of course. Use any rag mat to separate the art from the glazing as it won't show anyway. Be sure to charge extra for all the "hard" work.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. We have a Wizard, so cutting the mat shouldn't be a problem, unless, of course, I forget to click on the reverse bevel menu!

I didn't know about Tru Vue monster mats. Culver can get them for us. In fact, we haven't been selling Tru Vue mat boards at all. We don't have any corner samples. We'll be getting those, too.
 
I forgot, Wizard won't cut that large a mat. Thanks Dave, for the reminder. We're probably back to mitering the corners. As for the reverse bevel, that's because it's getting a fillet. I forgot to mention that.
 
I have cut quite a few really oversized mats using my 60" c&h table cutter. I cut them from the front. As for setting the depth, I cut a small piece of mat the width I want (say 6"). I then set it under the cutter bar so it is even with the edge where the blade is. The rest is sticking out the back. I then ATG a long piece of foam core to the table snug against the back edge of the mat board. This gives me my gauge for cutting the large mat from the front. I have cut mats 50"x 71" this way. It takes two people to do this tho. One to hold it in place and me to cut. I put pieces of the removable scotch tape on the mat where the corners of the cuts will be so I can mark it so I know where to start and stop. Before I remove the mat to cut the next side, I put a light tack painters masking tape (blue color) over the cut so it won't open up and tear at the corners. It is time consuming but financially rewarding as I'm the only one who will even try to frame pieces this large. By the way... the pieces are pastels!! I use double weight glass and a thick maple frame from PictureWoods. Rising mat boards makes a 60"x104" matboard in white and warm white. Maybe you could always paint it black

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You can purchase monster mat from LeWinter.
They will ship via common carrier the shipping cost will be about $20-$30. Order other items to defray some of the shipping costs. I received the mat in 2 days and they have a great selection of colors. Make sure you order oversize foam to protect the mat from damage. Good Luck.
 
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