Source for mat board?

I'll be cutting my own mats, but Redimat offers good prices on pre-cut mats - if the windows are true to the dimensions and not undersized.

I can't get a complete frame as cheaply as I could at Frame Destination, and I appreciate the link to their site. Thank you!

Jamooche said:

I have used Redimat to but mat board and foam core in bulk:

https://www.redimat.com/

And I use Frame Destination for frames:

https://www.framedestination.com

http://www.jamilabbasy.com

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MRCocoa said:

We had to learn to cut mat board by hand back in high school (gee, I just dated myself, didn't I?) so I understood the basics. I only had to learn the proper techniques for using the cutting contraption I bought.

The videos for using Gator board will come in handy. I have a panorama that would look good as a collage without frames and I hadn't figured-out how to do that without making it way too complicated. Now, thanks to you (and jrkliny), I have a clue.

Thank you.

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Same here. I learned to cut mat holes to fit the full frame of the image (or chosen crop) back in high school. I use a pencil scribe to get the exact dimensions after the paper is centered on the foam board. And I still use the same Logan mat cutter I bought in 1996!

Also, when ordering from Frame Destination, you can get your chosen mat board uncut (with no hole) so that you can cut it yourself to fit the image size of your choice. This is a relatively new option from them. I may go this route in the future since it's much cheaper than buying mat boards in bulk from Redimat and I can chose the exact frame size and style depending on the project.

MRCocoa said:

Nothing too large. I'm framing 13x19-inch prints and don't need huge sheets. I'll check out the folks you recommended.

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oh my! I would call those big prints and will take a huge mat and much coin!

Big? Really? Uncut mat board at 32x40-inches is about as small as I've found for DIY mat projects.

I admit it's a bit of a butt-pain to mat and frame 13x19 prints, but I'm lucky I don't have more family members.

Good to know! I never have anything I need to do with the scraps from a larger sheet and they just clutter up my spare bedroom/hobby room. Thanks!

Jamooche said:

Also, when ordering from Frame Destination, you can get your chosen mat board uncut (with no hole) so that you can cut it yourself to fit the image size of your choice. This is a relatively new option from them. I may go this route in the future since it's much cheaper than buying mat boards in bulk from Redimat and I can chose the exact frame size and style depending on the project.

Click to expand...

MRCocoa said:

Big? Really? Uncut mat board at 32x40-inches is about as small as I've found for DIY mat projects.

I admit it's a bit of a butt-pain to mat and frame 13x19 prints, but I'm lucky I don't have more family members.

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In most of the art schools, 11x14 mat board is about the max you will need.

Gosman said:

MRCocoa said:

Big? Really? Uncut mat board at 32x40-inches is about as small as I've found for DIY mat projects.

I admit it's a bit of a butt-pain to mat and frame 13x19 prints, but I'm lucky I don't have more family members.

Click to expand...

In most of the art schools, 11x14 mat board is about the max you will need.

Click to expand...

While that may be true of some art schools, and also that a 13x19 is an unusual print size, it isn’t extraordinarily large. It may also be of interest that at one of the most frequent suggestions from our January Salon judge was print larger for more impact.

The 11x14 board would only mat (“frame”) an 8x10 unless you’re using a thin border. I frequently use a larger frame (thicker mat border) to give my pieces “breathing room” if they will be exhibited in close proximity to other work. An 8x10 would be in a 16x20 (or larger) frame. However, in most cases, an 8x10 is too small to be impactful on a wall in an exhibit.

Most of my prints for local salon, competition, and “casual” public exhibits (library, coffee shop, etc,) are either 12x12 or 16x20, mounted, no mat. I will print and/or frame bigger for gallery shows when it’s allowed and practicable. That being said, when it comes to selling, I find it’s important to have smaller pieces too. A major obstacle is “I don’t have a wall large enough.” This goes hand-in-hand with the price tag attached to the larger pieces.

Gosman said:

MRCocoa said:

Big? Really? Uncut mat board at 32x40-inches is about as small as I've found for DIY mat projects.

I admit it's a bit of a butt-pain to mat and frame 13x19 prints, but I'm lucky I don't have more family members.

Click to expand...

In most of the art schools, 11x14 mat board is about the max you will need.

Click to expand...

I don't know about small prints for art schools.

I make quite a few prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Those are for proofs before printing larger. I often also make a few prints after a shooting session so I can be aware and analyze what worked and did not work.

I also print for home display. I print for galleries and exhibitions of various types. I also print for critique classes where some of the members are going to be viewing the print from 10' or so. For all of my display prints, I print at 12x18 or more often 16x24. I wish I could print larger but there is a big jump in costs and space requirements in going beyond a 17" printer.

I'll be using plenty of mats that size, too. I was having trouble finding the bigger sheets from a source I could count on to get them to me intact.

I think it would be easier to get a new family who'd be happy with smaller prints...

Gosman said:

MRCocoa said:

Big? Really? Uncut mat board at 32x40-inches is about as small as I've found for DIY mat projects.

I admit it's a bit of a butt-pain to mat and frame 13x19 prints, but I'm lucky I don't have more family members.

Click to expand...

In most of the art schools, 11x14 mat board is about the max you will need.

Click to expand...