Where to find mats for 8X12 Prints

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:33 pm

My camera shoots 8X12 ratio by default. I find it difficult to find mats for 8X12 prints. Most mats come in 4X6, 8X10, and 9X12, but skip the 8X12 format. I find this strange since 4X6 and 8X12 are the same ratio, it seems that 8X12 would be the next logical mat size. Does anyone know a good source on the web for resonably priced 8X12 mats? and why the seemingly strange progression in mat sizes?

Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 333 Location: Allentown, PA

you might want to read your message before you hit submit. My 9 year old types better than that.

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:08 am

smuttynose wrote:

you might want to read your message before you hit submit. My 9 year old types better than that.

Sorry about the original post, how embarrassing. I was in a hurry and the post was incoherent. Now that my question is clear, do you have any suggestions? Thanks for being so candid. I think my border collie could have posted better than my first post :)

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 40

i havent seen any 8x12 mattes sold in stores (well i havent actually looked) but when i need an odd sized matte all i do is take it to a specialty framing/matting store with people who cut the mattes themselves.

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:27 pm

alexlang123 wrote:

i havent seen any 8x12 mattes sold in stores (well i havent actually looked) but when i need an odd sized matte all i do is take it to a specialty framing/matting store with people who cut the mattes themselves.

That is an option, but the only problem is that the custom cut mats are about 4X the cost.

Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 177 Location: Deerfield Beach,FL

I am ignorant ;-)

What are these mats used for?

-Chhil

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:40 pm

Hi,
When I want a odd sized matt I cut it myself, in fact I cut almost all of my own matts, it is very inexpensive, to buy the matting go here: http://www.dickblick.com/categories/matboard/
For information on how to cut them read this: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/matting.shtml
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Del

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:44 pm

Hi,
The matboard I use is actually here: http://www.dickblick.com/zz130/07u/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=5532
Regards,
Del

Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 346 Location: Okinawa, Japan

murtuzachhil wrote:

I am ignorant ;-)

What are these mats used for?

-Chhil

Nah, you'll kick yourself in the butt when you realize what it is. Usually when you see a framed print there is a border or up to three or more layers surrounding the actual print itself. Sometimes it just looks like thick high quality posterboard. Adds to the quality of the image IMO.

Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 177 Location: Deerfield Beach,FL

I feel stupid now..... my wife took the pleasure of kicking me ;-)

Thanx Chhil

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 12:22 am

del wrote:

Hi,
When I want a odd sized matt I cut it myself, in fact I cut almost all of my own matts, it is very inexpensive, to buy the matting go here: http://www.dickblick.com/categories/matboard/
For information on how to cut them read this: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/matting.shtml
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Del

Thanks Del,
I heard that you really need a high quality mat cutter to do this properly. I've been looking into cutting my own, but I'm not sure which cutter to buy. Do you have any suggestions, and are you happy with yours?

I finally found a place on the web that has high quality mats for a number of different sized prints. www.redimat.com The prices are pretty reasonable too.

I was looking for 8X12" mats when really I needed to be looking for 7.5 X 11.5". This leaves a 1/4 " on each side for mounting the print.

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 11:08 pm

Hi HDP,
I use an Xacto knife and the Dexter Matt Cutter found here: http://www.dickblick.com/zz171/02/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=1016
It does a good job but needs practice to get it right and at only $17.99 it is cheap enough to buy and try out. Order an extra couple of mattboards just to practice your cutting. Read and follow the article I mentioned at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/matting.shtml and you will have no problems. Good Luck.
Regards,
Del

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:10 pm

del wrote:

Hi HDP,
I use an Xacto knife and the Dexter Matt Cutter found here: http://www.dickblick.com/zz171/02/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=1016
It does a good job but needs practice to get it right and at only $17.99 it is cheap enough to buy and try out. Order an extra couple of mattboards just to practice your cutting. Read and follow the article I mentioned at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/matting.shtml and you will have no problems. Good Luck.
Regards,
Del

Thanks Del, I'll look it over and give it try. $17.99 is pretty cheap!

Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 242 Location: South Florida

I have bought about 1000 mats from Pearl Arts and crafts, since they have a store local to me. 11x14 with 7.5x11.5 opening. About $2 a piece. They don't have that size listed on their website, but they do sell them.

Another option is matshop.com. Have never used them, but they cut any size for you.

Bigger mats I cut myself with a Logan 401 (about $175).