I'm looking for a way to frame my pictures myself. Where can I buy nice

[Photographer]

I'm looking for a way to frame my pictures myself. Where can I buy nice
frames, kits, glass, glass cutting kits, framing kits, mats, mat cutters
etc. so I can do the whole thing myself instead of paying someone else.

thanks

[Tom G]

http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com

[CVBreard]

I buy stock frames off-the-shelf from my local Michael's store (watch for sales
and coupons for the best prices) and can't beat them for standard frames - if
you buy mail order the shipping etc can run the total costs up significantly.
I bought an Alto's mat cutting board, etc from Porter's - $75 or $100 or so.
Practice a lot first.

I buy matboard from one of the local Hobby Lobby stores - can't beat their
prices - buy big sheets (36" x 48" or whatever it is) for about $5, cut them
down to size - I think I get four 16x20 size from each sheet.

I rarely need to cut glass, but when I do I find it easier to buy at Micheal's
or the local hardware store.

I don't do custom size frames, or really big stuff. I send those people to
Michael's etc.

In general, I try to buy such supplies locally, where I can put my hand on it,
check the color, etc and avoid shipping charges. (Local sales taxes eat into
the shipping charge savings, however.)

I just sold a job with eight 16x20 framed sets of enlargements for $1000. I'm
making more off the framing than the photos. But I don't promote framing -
labor intensive and not as much fun as shooting the photos.

[CVBreard]

Forgot to mention - Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. sell frame kits for just about
any custom size you'd want to make. They can be bought as pairs of sides, put
together with the supplied brackets - it's easy. They'll cut the glass, too
Personally, I prefer the metal frames, usually 'gold' or silver-colored instead
of wood - cuts way down on the number of decisions to be made.

[Richard Knight]

Frames: www.americanmat.com www.framingsupplies.com www.tap-usa.com www.americanframe.com
Mats: www.lightimpressionsdirect.com

Mat cutter:
Buy the Logan Compact. It's about $80 and will do any straight mat up to 32"
(I've done larger with it but it's a pain). Buy additional blades when you
buy the cutter and change them frequently. Most everyone carries this
cutter (probably even a local arts and craft shop like Michaels).

Glass:
Buy from your local home improvement super store. They will usually cut for
free and they usually carry glass in standard frame/mat sizes pre-cut.

[Scott Elliot]

What tools to you have? With a table saw and router I make my own frames
from stock lumber or plaque mounts on MDF board. Neither are very difficult
to do once you learn the tricks.