posted on June 14, 2001 02:39:26 PM new
Hello, auctionwatchers. I just had a question for those sellers experienced in the art of matting photos. I've got an 8 x 10 picture that I'm looking to list on ebay, and I wanted to mat the picture in hopes of obtaining higher bids. I don't want to frame it for the bidders (too heavy = high postage), but I did want to offer it matted.
I know next to nothing about buying mats or cutting them. And if I put this photo behind the mat opening, do I absolutely have to put an uncut mat behind the photo (sandwiching the picture)? Is that how the pro's do it?
And is there anything I'm leaving out and need to be aware of, like types of material to use, types to avoid, etc?
posted on June 14, 2001 03:06:36 PM new
Unless you have a mat cutter, which is made to cut mats at 45 degree angle, you're going to need to get your mat cut professionally. For an 8 x 10 picture, you'll want your mat to be either 2 inches or 1 3/4 inches wide. A neutral coloured mat will mean it will match any decor. Ask for conservation mat, which has a low PH and won't harm the parts of the picture touching the mat.
Yes, you should have some sort of backing behind it, either 'flaw board' (matting that is damaged or stained and therefore more inexpensive) or foam core board. Regular cardboard isn't a good idea, since cardboard isn't acid free, and could damage your picture.
When I present my artwork for sale, I always have my unframed matted pieces shrinkwrapped. The plastic protects my art and the shrinkwrapping is more professional than a baggie or a wrinkled mess of Saran Wrap & tape.
If you plan to do a lot of matting, you can invest in a mat cutter and buy your matboard by the sheet, which can save you a lot of money.
Edited to add: And be sure to use acid free tape...anything that the photo will be touching should be acid free.
[ edited by hiddenheaven on Jun 14, 2001 03:08 PM ]
posted on June 14, 2001 03:08:43 PM new
Take the photo to a local frame shop for professional matting. I personally like a back cut mat. That is when they cut the mat from the back so the white can't be seen on the bevel. Only other suggestion I have would be to pay the extra $$ for an acid-free mat. Advertising an acid-free professional matting will probably result in higher bids.
posted on June 14, 2001 03:16:53 PM new
You can buy an 11"x14" mat that has been pre-cut to hold an 8x10 photo at almost any craft store or the photo frame dept. of places like WalMart. I don't recommend these for valuable items since you have no way of knowing the acid content of the mat board but if you're just looking to enhance the appearance of a photo this should do the trick. If you're interested in learning matting I can give you info on that as well.
posted on June 14, 2001 07:04:35 PM new
Hi again, and I'd like to greatly thank hiddenheaven, sandvet, and eyeguy6 for the valuable time & money saving tips you've just given me. I'm checking into all the advice right now, in fact. Hopefully someday I'll be in a position to give advice when someone needs my knowledge. I appreciate your taking time out to help a stranger and thanks again.
posted on June 14, 2001 07:16:02 PM new
Hi, and I'm back again. With the advice I've gotten here, I've got my eye on a mat cutter and some mats now.
Still, I was just wondering a couple of things which just came to mind:
1) If I use flawed board to place behind the photo, do I use acid free tape to adhere the photo to the backing, the front matting, or both? In other words, if I don't frame the photo for the auction, what's going to hold the photo securely in the matting during shipping?
2) Or do the pro's usually put the photo in some type of acid free sleeve first, and then sandwich the protected photo in the front and back matting, followed by taping the covered photo to the front & back matting?
Thanks again, and I apologize for my newness at this!
posted on June 14, 2001 08:25:44 PM new
Get a pre-cut mat. Do not try to cut your own.
You can buy them at Michaels, at Aaron Bros, or probably at your local drug store. Target and Walmart have small, but inexpensive selections. An 11x14 mat, cut out 7.5x9.5, ranges from $2 to $7. For $2 at Walmart you get a mat. For $7 other places you get a nice double mat. Decide for yourself if it is worth it.
You should use acid free tape to tape it to the back, but we're to the fine points now. The big point: if you're going to mat a print, don't mat it with a mat which looks like it was cut by an amateur. The $2 Walmart mat looks a LOT better than any amateur cut mat. Unless the print is worth in excess of $100, don't bother with exotic "archival" techniques at all.
Side observation: unless the mat cutter you're looking at has a track, your results will look like it was cut by an amateur. Also, it will cost you over $10 to buy a big mat to cut down to size.
posted on June 14, 2001 11:50:24 PM new
I would have to agree with "roofguy" on the advice not to buy a mat cutter and try to cut your own mats. I worked in a custom frame shop for 7 years before I had my daughter, and it takes alot of skill and practice to cut mats properly. You definitely do not want to have mats with "hooks" or "overcuts" at the corners of the mat opening. If they are regular photographs, acid-free matting isn't necessary (it is about 1 1/2 to 2 times the cost of regular matting). I would try to purchase "pre-cut" mats in neutral colors at a craft store.
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I would use acid-free tape (on a roll) to attach the photos to the mat though, it is very easy to remove or reposition. Foam-core board is always a good backing to use, but in my opinion cardboard would also be fine (the chances of it yellowing a photograph are slim, the photo would probably discolor on its own before that would happen). You can also buy a roll of shrink wrap, for a finished look and protection.
posted on June 15, 2001 05:30:56 AM new
Unless you plan to cut mat board frequently, you'd probably be better off buying a board that's already been cut. Some craft shops will even cut an acid-free board for you - at an extra charge, of course.
I've tried a couple hand held mat cutters in combination with a straight edge but have never had professional results that way. It can be done - my photography prof was so good that he didn't even need the straight edge. I've gotten great results from a Logan Compact Mat Cutter, but it costs about $90 - $100. (At least it cost that several years ago.)
posted on June 15, 2001 05:41:53 AM new
If you decide to buy a mat cutter and do this yourself, try experimenting with different dimensions for the bottom edge. Some pictures look better with a little more mat on the bottom - often as little as 1/2". For a standard frame, that would mean 1/2" less on top. The reason I say this is that some pictures look bottom heavy if the mat is the same dimension all the way around.
posted on June 15, 2001 07:24:20 AM new
I bought a Logan hand held mat cutter for aroung 40 bucks 9 years ago and have been using it ever since. These cutters are almost always available on eBay. Sheets of mat board usually come 32"x40" and can be purschased at most framing shops. I pay $6 per sheet but the price varies from shop to shop.
Matting is not a complicated thing. It just takes lots and lots of practice to do it properly. You'll go through a lot of mat board learning. I basically taught myself. After a few years of doing it as a hobby I became skilled enough to do it for profit so don't be afraid to jump in and start experimenting.
You can use any straight edge to guide your cutter but Logan makes a rail that clamps to the table and serves as a guide. This is $20 very well spent. Cuts way down on errors.
posted on June 15, 2001 07:43:47 AM new
If you will be doing a lot of mats, I would seriously recommend a mat cutter that uses a rail guide as opposed to a hand held model- they are much faster, and you mess up far fewer mats. Logan makes a compact mat cutter which sells for around $80. You could also check on eBay- there are probably several listed. Below is a link to the Logan site with information on this cutter. There are also links to information on how to cut mats there- you might want to take a look.
