So, thanks to Leah (I think? I confuse the girls )... I found this mat cutter that I can afford.

I'm planning on getting some matted/signed shots in a few local stores back home in the mountains, mostly 8x12s and 12x18s, so this would allow me to do the matting myself rather than having to buy them myself.

My question is, realistically, does anyone know how much this would really save me? I don't feel like dropping $75 unless its going to actually help me out. The ultimate goal is to obviously do everything myself eventually, but for now, will the mat cutter be a good start?

Thanks, guys.

- Scott

Ask Matt, hey paid to have my shot framed, but I think we're talking $100+ for a 18x24 frame for a 12x18.

When I do it, the mat & foam core is ~$6 and the frame is ~$18, so $24 total plus the print (which you need either way).
Add in some incidentals (fresh razors, a really good erasure, some rulers and whatnot) and you're setup will be ~$100 and each mat & frame is <$30....

So yeah, I'd say it's worth it. It almost pays for itself in one shot. The quality of the frames is a HUGE variable. You need to be able to source good inexpensive frames you (and your customers) like.

edit:
you do have to have the patience for this though. You'll wreck a few mats and it does take time. Time isn't free necessarily, but I enjoy it, so for me it's something fun and relaxing. I know lots of people from school that would glady pay people (me!) to do it for them...

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Ask Matt, hey paid to have my shot framed, but I think we're talking $100+ for a 18x24 frame for a 12x18.

When I do it, the mat & foam core is ~$6 and the frame is ~$18, so $24 total plus the print (which you need either way).
Add in some incidentals (fresh razors, a really good erasure, some rulers and whatnot) and you're setup will be ~$100 and each mat & frame is <$30....

So yeah, I'd say it's worth it. It almost pays for itself in one shot. The quality of the frames is a HUGE variable. You need to be able to source good inexpensive frames you (and your customers) like.

Yeah, I won't be doing framed... I'll just be doing matted to sell, so I'd like to cut down the actual cost of matting.

I think its totally worth it. Seeing how it really makes things look professional, and it's really inexpensive per frame once you have the set-up, I think it's totally worth it.

Plus, you can mark a framed shot up WAY more than just a photo.

see my edit, but yeah, just matting unless you can find the sizes you need precut in the colors you want (in which case a bulk discount should work) it's ton's cheaper... Go checkout places to buy mat and foam core (the archival kind) and see the prices. 1 sheet of each totals $12 here and is enough for 2 very large prints. I save a ton on this.

^ As Ben said, We just bought a mat cutter after Ben gave us a rundown in ME. We paid $140 to have the print I bought from Ben matted/ framed. That was with a 50% off coupon so, you figure $75 for the cutter, then another 50-75$ for initial setup materials, your already even/ if not ahead from having it done professionally. The your down to maybe 15-25$ a print depending on frames. So its totally worth it IMO. Something I cant wait to start using.. still waiting on ours to be delivered.

Originally Posted by subimatt

...another 50-75$ for initial setup materials...

and that's only if you go crazy...

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Originally Posted by subimatt

...another 50-75$ for initial setup materials...

and that's only if you go crazy...

I tend too.

Originally Posted by DotGrl03

I think its totally worth it. Seeing how it really makes things look professional, and it's really inexpensive per frame once you have the set-up, I think it's totally worth it.

Plus, you can mark a framed shot up WAY more than just a photo.

Yeah, but I don't normally sell framed shots... people like to buy matted prints and frame them themselves.

Plus, there's less overhead with matted stuff, and I have to all of these up front and then put them in the stores to be sold...

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

see my edit, but yeah, just matting unless you can find the sizes you need precut in the colors you want (in which case a bulk discount should work) it's ton's cheaper... Go checkout places to buy mat and foam core (the archival kind) and see the prices. 1 sheet of each totals $12 here and is enough for 2 very large prints. I save a ton on this.

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for... so you cut your own, Ben? As for the time, I have time, just not money. So, I'd like to effectively pay myself to do it...

Yep, it's very easy.

The only advice I might give you is if you're going to be doing A LOT of this, the cutter everyone is linking only goes to 29 1/2"s... The sheets you buy are 32" x 40" so you have to cut them in half by hand... That's messy and an extra step. If you can order your sheets in smaller sizes (if you're mail ordering you might have to, 40" x 32" is gigantic for shipping) then it's not a problem, but they way it is now, I buy 1 sheet that's 32"x40" of mat and of foam core. Then I politely ask them to half it in the store... If not I take it home and do it on my own free hand... (both dimensions are too big for the linked cutter). Then you have to trim the sides of the mat to be the outer dimensions of the mat... So the first halfing cut is and extra step...

Spend the extra money on the big cutter and you can cut an entire sheet which would be awesome. My issue is I don't have the space, and I already have the 29.5" cutter (the one you guys are looking at). It's length is just a tad limiting at times is all. It means 1 extra cut (time = $?) versus about $75 extra for the longer cutter...

I'd suggest the cutter you're looking at in the end, get started with it, then if you're doing this a lot, upgrade to the longer cutter if you're annoyed by the extra cut. You can always use another cutter (one for sizing, one for the hole) anyway, so one of each would be my ultimate setup.

Well, I have a Jerry's Artarama local to me... <10 minutes away so they would have mat board, right? I've already had them cut things for me, and they seem to be happy to do so, so with that said... I might as well just get the smaller one, wouldn't you say? I mean, no sense in spending the extra $$ (I don't have) for now...

But thanks Ben, I appreciate the insight. The problem with selling in stores is I have to really keep my overhead down as they take a percentage of the TOTAL sale.

- Scott

Yeah, if you have a local jerry's then you're all set... That's where I buy my stuff (although mine was something else, bought by jerry with basically a name change, not sure what selection they all have). I've always been able to get them to cut things in half for me for free (so it's easier in the car) until the last time... The boss lady was standing there taking inventory, so she said $2/cut

Especially if money is tight, get the small one. It just means an extra cut, and that you can't go over a 29.5" cut, but If you sell one print that size, AND need to mat it, that one sale will pay for the bigger cutter.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Yeah, if you have a local jerry's then you're all set... That's where I buy my stuff (although mine was something else, bought by jerry with basically a name change, not sure what selection they all have). I've always been able to get them to cut things in half for me for free (so it's easier in the car) until the last time... The boss lady was standing there taking inventory, so she said $2/cut

Especially if money is tight, get the small one. It just means an extra cut, and that you can't go over a 29.5" cut, but If you sell one print that size, AND need to mat it, that one sale will pay for the bigger cutter.

That's probably what I'll do... I actually might have lucked out, my sister needed a gift idea for me for Christmas so I think the mat cutter will be perfect.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Well, I have a Jerry's Artarama local to me... <10 minutes away so they would have mat board, right? I've already had them cut things for me, and they seem to be happy to do so, so with that said... I might as well just get the smaller one, wouldn't you say? I mean, no sense in spending the extra $$ (I don't have) for now...

But thanks Ben, I appreciate the insight. The problem with selling in stores is I have to really keep my overhead down as they take a percentage of the TOTAL sale.

- Scott

Where is a local Jerry's art-o-rama?? You must tell me at once!! Local to Raleigh, or to Cullowhee?

M

Originally Posted by Markitos

Where is a local Jerry's art-o-rama?? You must tell me at once!! Local to Raleigh, or to Cullowhee?

M

Raleigh.

I'll figure out exactly where it is when I get back from my exam... but I its up in North(?) Raleigh right off the beltine...

Originally Posted by Stime187

Originally Posted by Markitos

Where is a local Jerry's art-o-rama?? You must tell me at once!! Local to Raleigh, or to Cullowhee?

M

Raleigh.

I'll figure out exactly where it is when I get back from my exam... but I its up in North(?) Raleigh right off the beltine...

Sweet... Yes, do tell, if you don't mind. I still have some stuff to frame for Christmas gifts....

M

You know they have the stores are listed on their site right?
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/webcon.../StoreList.asp

Jerry's Artarama of Raleigh, NC
3060 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 876-6610

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

You know they have the stores are listed on their site right?
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/webcon.../StoreList.asp

Jerry's Artarama of Raleigh, NC
3060 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 876-6610

Yeah, I went and looked right after our exchange... but you know, sometimes "it's right down the street from that mall," is easier than googlemapping the address or whatever. Especially with Raleigh--traffic, urban sprawl, and crap that makes no sense...

M

Originally Posted by Markitos

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

You know they have the stores are listed on their site right?
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/webcon.../StoreList.asp

Jerry's Artarama of Raleigh, NC
3060 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 876-6610

Yeah, I went and looked right after our exchange... but you know, sometimes "it's right down the street from that mall," is easier than googlemapping the address or whatever. Especially with Raleigh--traffic, urban sprawl, and crap that makes no sense...

M

And that's semi-true here. You get off the Wake Forest exit of 440 then (if coming from Durham, it'd probably be right) its the next light, turn left into the shopping center (should be a Moe's nearby) and its kind of at the back of the big parking lot/center.

Hope that works.

- Scott

Super. Thanks!

M