'Nice' Black Photo Mounts (req)

isadub

I'm new to actually printing out my photos instead of just sticking them on flickr. I think some of them would benefit from a black mount/border. I've bought some mounts from Reids in Naussau St and an Arts n' Crafts place in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

The problem is that the black mounts just look like bland, boring, black bits of cardboard, which strictly speaking, they are.

I'm in a DIY frame of mind at the moment so can anyone suggest somewhere where I can buy 'nice', good quality mounts.

Apologies in advance for the vagueness!

elven

Do you mean black mounts that are actually cut properly, bevelled?

The only other thing you could do to make it more exciting is double the mount up... smaller one inside a larger one, two different shades. You can get a mount cutter for a hundred quid that lets you do it, or get a framer place to do them for you.

If you wanted to frame something in an unusual way, try a deep box frame, and mount the picture away from the back, maybe?

GristlyEnd

If you are looking for precut mounts then I can recommend Framing Fantastic.

mikeanywhere

elven wrote:

If you wanted to frame something in an unusual way, try a deep box frame, and mount the picture away from the back, maybe?

Actually, thats given me an idea for something - knew you were good for summit!!!

elven

:rolleyes:

isadub

elven wrote:

Do you mean black mounts that are actually cut properly, bevelled?

No, trying the DIY route. But thanks (everybody) for the quick replies...

Maybe to clarify...
In Reids etc, for €4-5, you can buy approx 4ft x 3ft black cardboard mounts which can be cut to size using a razor-blade gadget (which I have). I guess you can get 2 or 4 mounts from this size??

My question is:
(1) If, say, I doubled my budget to €10 per sheet, where can I get better quality 'black' mounts for my DIY project?
(2) What shops (in Dublin area) sell these better quality mounts?

ThOnda

I'm going to the north tomorrow, so I'll pay a visit to Fantastic Frames to see their offer and to buy some samples. At least one for my swine... er, swan.

elven

isadub wrote:

No, trying the DIY route. But thanks (everybody) for the quick replies...

Maybe to clarify...
In Reids etc, for €4-5, you can buy approx 4ft x 3ft black cardboard mounts which can be cut to size using a razor-blade gadget (which I have). I guess you can get 2 or 4 mounts from this size??

My question is:
(1) If, say, I doubled my budget to €10 per sheet, where can I get better quality 'black' mounts for my DIY project?
(2) What shops (in Dublin area) sell these better quality mounts?

Are you talking about the mountboard that's a few mm thick, that you cut at an angle with your razor gadget, that shows the light coloured core of the board? That's how it's meant to look... I don't know what you mean by better quality, apart from the thicker, and conservation grade stuff.

Easons, and pretty much all the art supply shops stock the stuff.

feileacan

habitat do nice mounts in black and in white

nice bevel edge and the paper has a light 'ridged' appearance

not cheap though...

Glowing

isadub wrote:

In Reids etc, for €4-5, you can buy approx 4ft x 3ft black cardboard mounts which can be cut to size using a razor-blade gadget (which I have).

Isadub, where can you get this razor-blade gadget? I've been trawling the art&hobby shops for the last few weeks and no-one seems to have a clue what I'm talking about. Does it have some sort of guide on it to keep the angle constant when cutting?

Thanks!

elven

If you just want the cutter itself which basically holds the blade at 45 degrees you can get them for 25-35 quid in the easons on O'Connell st. These, you need to handhold and run along a straight edge to make the cut. Rymus thinks they are the work of the devil, however, and paid a wee bit more for a longridge cutter thingy, i think it may have come from ebay, but that has guides and it holds everything in place for you so you just have to put the board in the right place and slide the cutter along...

isadub

where can you get this razor-blade gadget?

I got mine in an arts & craft shop in Blanchardstown S.C. It was about €30.

Does it have some sort of guide on it to keep the angle constant when cutting?

The blade fits into a slot at a fixed angle. It's probably very, very basic compared to what is available but I'm new to this and find it hard to find good shops. I think Elven mentioned Easons but the staff (in O'Connell St) are very unhelpful.

Glowing

Thanks for that! Don't need anything fancy (the mounts are for my own walls) but will have a look in those places you mentioned.

rymus

elven wrote:

Rymus thinks they are the work of the devil, however, and paid a wee bit more for a longridge cutter thingy

Satan had a hand in the design and creation of the freehand bevel cutter alright. Not a doubt about it. I cant remember how much my mount cutter was, but it was worth every bloody penny! I've got to involve myself in a smattering of mount cutting soon too, gotta get ready for peoples photography!

In fact, heres the one I have - http://cgi.ebay.ie/Logan-301S-Picture-Photo-Mount-Cutter-L-301_W0QQitemZ190141395322QQihZ009QQcategoryZ11786QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Same seller and all. God bless that woman!

ThOnda

I've found that Fantastic place today. Prices are nice and really good selection of frames and bacgrounds. I've seen some work of that man and it looks clean and nice.
I think my swan is going to be framed there. Hopefuly not baked :-)

Fionn

Woodies have pre-cut ones - I got some yesterday prices aren't as bad as i thought they might be.