Mat cutters and picture framers

[gad5264]

I posted on here back in December that I bought myself a Logan mat cutting system. Since I got it I have done about 2 dozen mats for pictures and posters for myself and family members. I am now getting requests to do this for others and need some advice. When you do this for others how are you pricing your materials and costs for the final price to people? I am not at the stage where I am making my own frames, just cutting mats and installing in purchased frames.

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.

[crokett]

I have a mat cutter I got for Christmas that I haven't used (yet). I would charge materials+a markup+time. The markup covers my time, gas, wear on car, etc. What I'd do is go to a picture frame store and find out what they charge for matting. That will at least give you a base to start with.

[LCHIEN]

you also need to factor in a certain percentage of wastage as not all the cuts you do wil be perfect and you'll screw one up from time to time.

10%?

[Garasaki]

If it were me, I'd shoot for 15% pure profit.

So raw materials (don't have to figure waste that way) + time (at probably 30 an hour) times 1.15