Digital BW, The Print

Michael,

I learned to cut my own mats a long time ago.  At the time, I didn't
have the money for even a Logan 301, so I bought a Logan push cutter
and a 40" rail system.  As is, the system is just a push cutter and
straight-edge with a slot the cutter glides along.  The straight-edge
doesn't have a base board, and would not produce good results by
itself.  However, a quick trip to home depot for a 50" long piece of
wood and two drilled holes later, I had my own mat cutter with a base
board that was very inexpensive and will handle full size mat boards
just fine.  I get my rag mat board for about $12.00 per 32x40 sheet
from a local art supplies dealer - I'm sure you can beat this price by
mail order.  In results, I can consistently cut beveled windows with
unwavering parallel edges and perfect corners that aren't ragged or
over-cut.  The point isn't to convince you to buy a dirt cheap,
jury-rigged system like mine, the point is that it's easy to learn to
do this with excellent results, using even fairly rudimentary equiptment.

1) cutting your own mats gives you complete control over the end
product, and I get personal satisfaction from knowing my framed or
matted work is all me from beginning to end.

2) if you buy a mat cutter, you need to be sure of what you are
getting.  there are a variety of mat cutters available.  Some do not
cut full 32x40 sheets of board (I do not recall whether the Logan 301
will do full size or not).  there are also more expensive pull-style
cutters which are supposed to be easier and give a cleaner cut.  If
you have to cut a lot of mats, you should get a more expensive cutter
that will make the job easier.  (I'm not a prolific photographer, so
my system works fine.)  With a good system, mat cutting can be fast
and practical.

3) if you really do have lots of mats to cut, doing it yourself will
add one extra step into the job of preparing prints for sale, but:
-you will save money.  the cutter will pay for itself.
-you will cut down your turnaround time, if that's important, since
you won't be sending out.
-you can mat all the non-standard print sizes you want.  For people
who crop photos, that's not a small issue.

If you decide to go this route, there are a few tips on good cutting I
can share, but being OT this isn't the place.  E-mail me and I will
share with you what of the art I know.

-Gary Gervin


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Michael"
<michael3442@...> wrote:
>
> I'm curious to learn how you guys handle the considerable chore of 
> matting your prints; more specifically, arriving at matts with windows. 
> Do you opt for matts with pre-cut windows (and therefore print for the 
> pre-cut size), cut your own windows (and therefore print for the image, 
> not the matt), have them cut locally, or custom cut from an online 
> supplier? I've got this issue coming up pretty soon and it feels like 
> an enormous undertaking; your various perspectives and tips will be 
> appreciated.
> 
> -Michael K
>