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It's a long time since I did much printing and framing. I want to put some new pictures around the house for Spring and I want them all in plain (not ornate) frames and mounted
Are 4 x 90, Wilkinson's and Hobbycraft still seen as the best places for cheap but decent quality frames? Where else should I look? I want non-reflective glass if possible. Want to avoid plastic. Am I better getting frames from one place, mounts another. I'm toying with the idea of making my own mounts but is it worth it if I'm only going to have a dozen or so frames?
I doubt you'll find non reflective glass in shops like the Range - but I might be wrong. It's always worth visiting a framing shop to see what they have - I use one in town that has a huge range of ready made frames plus do a bespoke service and they're not as expensive as you'd think. Plus they do the mounts as well so I can sort everything under one roof.
It's the non reflective glass that doesn't half bump the price up sadly!
Tried cutting my own mounts, but very difficult, unless you purcase a mount cutter in access of £200 or so, even then it takes skill.
Bought my last mounts from Cotswold Mounts, and I am pleased.
Rob
Another vote for ikea. I think their prices have recently dropped a little too. The Ribba range sound like they might be up your street. Watch out when handling them (I suspect this is the same for all frames) - lift them whenever possible from 2 sides - I ruined a load of frames a couple of years ago by picking them up from one side in the middle - this tends to cause a gap to open up in the corners. Sorry if this is treating granny to suck eggs...
Adam
Bearing in mind you ae likely to prefer some flexibility on your crop to suit the picture, rather than making it fit a pre-determined size, consider making your own mounts. It's not hard if you're at all practically minded and a decent mount cutter won't break the bank. I've used a Logan 301-s for years and had great (and consistent) results including double mounts. Avoid the cheap cutters without a guide.
Have a look at this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Logan-301-1-Compact-Classic-Picture-mount-matt-cutter-...
I have recently been looking at mounts and frames
Cotswold Mounts were recommended to me but having spoken to them on the telephone it was made quite clear that you had to buy in "packages" of the same mount size AND with the same aperture size 
This was not an option for me but they suggested a company named Picture Frames Express
Online ordering and you can mix & match any size mount with any size aperture, but still a minimum order required. ( For me 5 mounts were enough to meet this ) Works out about £5 per mount ( 40cm x 50cm size )
As for frames, Picture Frames Express do these as well, but I thought quite expensive so went for those from The Range, not available online so you have to visit a store.
Plain black plastic with glass & backing board £4.79 for size suitable for the 40cm x 50cm mount .
Try the Picture Gallery in Bedford. They cut mounts to any size in any combination. Also got a good range of ready made and made to size frames. I've used them several times and am very pleased with their services. If you live nearby you can collect from them to save the postage.
Martin
+1 for the Logun set up I have used one for years, you can use the discarded centres as smaller mounts as well 
Far less technical then Neillr's version but it works for me
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Logan-Team-System-24-Mountcutter-Mount-Mat-Cutter-New-...
As for mount card I use Bristol Framing Supplies, your regular 500x400 card for club competitions is a £1 a sheet when bought in 20's
Another vote for Cotswold Mounts. A 50x40 mount with any size of aperture will cost £1.29 + VAT + postage (which will depend upon size of order).
50x40 frames £9.95 from B&Q.
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