Hello. I recently purchased a pack of five SAA Professional Double Picture Mounts - size 406 x 305 from the SAA home shop. They are wonderfully cut and the plastic sleeves means that I can keep the mounted paintings safe and clean if I don't want to have them framed just yet. I now have a small problem - the leaflet that came with the mounts I bought says it fits commercially available frames - problem is ... when I look online to buy my frames, there are 400 x 300 frames aplenty and some places sell 12 inches x 16 inches too - BUT these mounts, at 406 x 305, are just a bit too large for these commercially available frames. Has anyone bought these mounts from the SAA shop before and if yes, did you find it easy to get commercially available ready-frames for them? Where did you get your frames from? I was really hoping to be able to get commercially available ready-frames as custom-made frames would cost a fortune ... especially if I have 5 to do! Many thanks. Ady (Birmingham, UK)

Hi Ady I haven't used these mounts, but have you tried to fit them into a 400x300 frame? Just wondering if the recess of the ready-made frames will allow the mount to be inserted, bearing in mind the frame size might be measured across the front rather than the recessed area of the back. I'd be interested to hear about your findings as it's not something I've ever thought about before! Helz http://www.helzbelzart.com

Hi Helz! Thanks for the reply. I eventually drove out to a Hobbycraft and discovered that the mounts do not fit the new metric frames - so 400 x 300 mm are not suitable. HOWEVER, they are a perfect fit for the 12 inch x 16 inch frames! So they fit frames made to imperial measurements but not the commonly available Neilsen frames which are made to metric measurements. As most ready-frames tend to be in metric, I opted for the DIY-buy-the-separate-bits option that the Hobbycraft store offers. This means buying the moulding/frame and then separately buying the glass and the backing board and putting it together myself. Incidentally - if anyone reads this and is thinking of doing the framing like I've done (by buying separate bits etc), the new Tab gun in the SAA shop is a fantastic investment! I just got mine and it puts the flexi-tabs in quick and easy. It means I can reuse the frames for another painting if I want. Ady

Ady Most frame companies including Neilsen do make 16 x 20 frames I use lots of them its just stores like Hobbycraft dont keep them all. I can say that this firm gives good mail order service at unbeatable price http://www.midland-fine-arts.co.uk/

Have the SAA considered selling ready-made frames to fit their ready-made mounts? I for one would find this useful as framing my pictures would be made so much easier.

I`m useing frames from my local Wilkinson store. They do a good range and I`v not had any problem with the mounts from SAA fiting.
As to SAA selling frames I think shipping cost vs profit would be the problem with that. The SAA need to price in a range that people will pay yet still make enough to cover the shipping and make a profit.

Ray

Hi Raymond you have hit the nail on the head. We have looked at offering framing many times but cannot find a way to do that gives members a good deal and also makes it financially viable and it is the glass that is the biggest problem. The plastic glazing is just not good enough. BUT if anyone has the answers we would love to hear them.

happy painting

John