Cutting mat for picture frame - $20.00???!!!

[Anonymous]

No one is forcing you to use them. If you don’t like their prices, go somewhere else or do it yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? I have been wanting to frame some art and pictures and I didn't know it was that expensive ? Maybe I'm not understanding this right. What is the mat? Is that the 'inlay with cutout' that is to show something that is smaller than the frame ? What material are these expensive mats out of??? Cardboard aren't they?!

In most cases, it's an archival-level stock. Yeah, custom framing is expensive. I used to work in framing (not Michael's) and it does take some skill to do it well and good materials aren't cheap either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - guys, I didn't buy the mat, I actually provided it (it came with a frame from ETSY). The $20.00 they charged my husband was just to CUT it! I very annoyed at myself too, because since this was from Etsy, I could have just measured the correct size of the little print before and asked the seller to cut the mat in the right size. It didn't even occur to me actually. I had no IDEA this was so expensive.

I’m surprised they were willing to accept the order. I used to do custom framing and I would’ve declined the order because if I messed up (and accidents do happen, especially cutting by hand, even more so when you’re cutting around an existing opening), I would have to replace the mat. Since you chose a ready made mat that came with a frame, it’s probably not going to be an exact match to what I have in stock. I don’t know if you’re going to be chill if I mess up your stuff or pitch a huge fit, and I don’t need the headache. Sometimes people couldn’t understand why t was such a big deal and didn’t want to take no for an answer, so I’d charge some over the top price that covered my time and the possible replacement cost. However, for an 8x10 custom, archival quality, single mat with one opening, that I had in stock, and I had 5 minutes free to pop it into the electronic cutter, I think would’ve run in the $10-15 range.

It’s annoying when people complain about the price of custom framing. Anything custom is going to cost significantly more than off the rack. That’s just the way the word works. It also takes longer. The materials are higher quality in most cases too. Comparing custom to readymade prices is like comparing apples to oranges.

In the future, if you want something like that done on the spot, you have a better chance if you go to a mom and pop shop. There’s a good chance you’ll be dealing with the owner, or someone who’s been there for years. They could probably cut mats in their sleep, and might whip it out for you for a few bucks. Larger chains have so many rules and don’t allow employees to make exceptions. A lot of “framers” at those places don’t know how to do basics like cut a mat or a frame, and sometimes don’t even know how to cut glass. Everything is automated and shipped to the stores for assembly. It’s not worth the time and money to train someone to proficiency on a skill they won’t be able to use or maintain.

[Anonymous]

Cutting another hole in a mat takes some skill. It’s not hard to do a bad job but to do a good job is another thing. They also have many mats in all sizes so they probably thought you understood it was “custom” which it was.

[Anonymous]

OP it’s pretty disrespectful that you expect someone to do skilled hand work on something you provide for a low price. How low did you think it would be ? Free?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michael’s is a rip off. I never take stuff to Michael’s for framing. My local independent frame shop charged me $90 to mat and frame something that Michael’s wanted to charge me $160 for.

I made that mistake myself. Now I take to anything to the local frame shop instead. Better prices and the added bonus of zero craft supplies I don't need jumping into my cart from the sale displays.

[Anonymous]

I went to Michaels to order a mat for my picture. It was large 16x20 and they charged me $40 dollars plus tax. I think this is really taking advantage of someone. I called and asked why I only received one instead of two. They said $40 for one because, it was $18 dollars to spray it with a solution that would save it and not harm the print.

I told the man I didn't care if the solution was on it or not. He just said they do it to all of them.

[Anonymous]

Most of the mats are precut by machine. So if you want a different size than stock it’s custom. As for taking an existing mat and making it bigger. No way I would accept that job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the mats are precut by machine. So if you want a different size than stock it’s custom. As for taking an existing mat and making it bigger. No way I would accept that job.

Exactly.
You're lucky they even took the job.

[Anonymous]

I had a coupon and got mine for $15 including mat. It looks great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the mats are precut by machine. So if you want a different size than stock it’s custom. As for taking an existing mat and making it bigger. No way I would accept that job.

Exactly.
You're lucky they even took the job.

This. Stop complaining OP and expecting things for free...shameful

[Anonymous]

Framing is always ridiculously expensive. Of course they are going to charge you an outrageous price to cut. If they did not, then everyone would stop spending money on framing.

[Anonymous]

As others have indicated, it takes some skill, but it's also probably not something that you're going to run out and buy the equipment to do yourself. It takes specialized tools, and they're fairly expensive. So, there's really no competition from the "do it yourself" segment.

[Anonymous]

OP how much do you make per year? You think these lawyers on DCUM are worth their money? Talk about petty. 20 bucks for skilled work is nothing.