Matting/Framing Sources ... Selling Prints Online

[mike_hardiman]

Hey folks,

 

For a few years, I've sold prints online. Matting and mounting has

all been done by hand, and I've typically purchased ready-made plain

black or silver frames at retail outlets.

 

It's all a bit time consuming, and I'm not much happy with the quality

of frames lately. I'd like to offer more matting options as well, but

I don't sell enough to keep tons of mats on hand. In addition, with

my new scanner resolution, I can probably create larger prints, up to

an 18x24 mat/frame combo. An awkward size for ordering uncut mats or

retail ready-made frames.

 

Does anyone here who also sells prints online, "outsource" their

matting and framing? I'd like to find someplace with high quality

frames, but at a somewhat affordable price so I don't need to really

ratchet prices up.

 

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

-Mike

[benjamindbloom]

I've had good luck buying frames through FramesbyMail.com They cut to custom length, cut your mats, provide foamboard (if you need it) so all you have to do is mount the print, get some glass, & assemble the frame. They offer custom-cut plexiglass if you're looking for plexi.

 

I haven't tested out their mats yet, but come to think of it I have a half dozen prints that need mats & frames, so maybe I'll try it out soon.

[robert_roaldi1]

I was also going to suggest that but I also have an OT question. How do you insure that the glass doesn't break in shipping? Has this been an issue?

[mike_hardiman]

Breaking glass... when I ship the prints out, or when frames are ordered? When I ship prints out, I'm not stingy about the packaging material... I've never had anyone complain about broken glass. Plexi might be a safer alternative.

<br><br>

Frames by mail sounds interesting... but the frame assembly sounds like it might be just as time consuming as hand cutting mats... but perhaps include the benefit of not needing to stock multiple mats.

<br><br>

I did find one site...

<a href="http://www.framedestination.com/">Picture Frame Desitnation </a>

<br><br>

The annoying thing is they list their stock by image size, not frame size... but they will quote for a custom frame/mat. I might send them a list to see what their quote is for various sizes that I'll offer online.

[jmoody]

I haven't sold anything online, but I did do several orders with http://www.framedestination.com/ . Product seems pretty good, shipping is quick & well packaged (photo.net member I think) and I was having a whale of a time finding pre-cut mats with openings for digital (10x15, 16x24 etcc...)