You can save a lot of money doing your own framing. Buy a GOOD mat cutter; don't pinch pennies on that. A good one will save you a lot of frustration and make the job very fast and easy. There are a lot of cheap ones that really make the process hard.
When I was in art school, my professors in classes that involved 'works on paper' (photography, drawing, watercolor, graphic printmaking) required us to turn in our work for grading mounted and matted. They didn't care if we did it ourselves or paid a framer, but the quality of the matting would impact grades. I went to a framer my first semester and it cost me a fortune. It was costing 20-40 dollars per artwork (depending on size). At the beginning of my second semester, one of the professors, who I took a drawing class from, spread the word that he was willing to teach a matting and framing workshop outside normal class time if any of us students were interested. He promised that we would save a ton of money if we learned to do it ourselves. I took advantage of the opportunity.
The school didn't have a mat cutter we could use, so he suggested a model to buy that he said was capable of professional-level results, was easy to use, and was not terribly expensive (some high end mat cutters can cost thousands). The one he recommended cost about $200 if we bought it mail order (this was 28 yrs ago, before online shopping became a thing). At the same time, my grandparents asked me if there was anything I needed for school that they could buy me. This was my dad's parents. Neither had graduated from high school, and grandpa actually had just an 8th grade education. They were very proud that I, their oldest grandchild, was going to Indiana University. I told them about the mat cutter, and how much it was costing to have this done by a frame shop, and they gave me the $200 to buy the mat cutter.
It was the best investment in gear in my entire art career. Comparing the cost of the mat board I used to the prices the framers charged, I saved more money than my grandparents paid for that mat cutter the very first time I used it. I still have it today, and still use it. I wore out the main cutting head several years ago, and a new one cost me around $30. Aside from that, nothing has ever needed replaced on it.
The model I bought is still made today, although the model number has changed, and it now costs about $340. It is worth it. Don't cheap out and buy the less expensive version that does not have the squaring arm; you will deeply regret it.
Here is the one I have and recommend.
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