Thanks so much for the input so far everyone. I'm based in Lanarkshire in Scotland, so if anyone reading this is in my locality I'd appreciate a message with regard to "trade-rates" of subbing the work out.
Just a few more clarifications. This is not my primary income maker, this is an offshoot but has potential to do well if it is marketed correctly.
@fruitini - thanks for the advice, I think a lot of people overlook aftercare.
@prospero - I'll avoid the 3mm stuff then, there seems no need, I just seen it mentioned in the spec of a supplier and thought that was standard. I'll happily go with 2.4mm going forward.
The high initial cost did frighten me. Happy to consider entry level cutters. Does all the software work on Mac's? Can anyone suggest any cost effective machines?
@nyaf - Just to clarify a few things. the 50 per week I cited, it will be a mixture of various different sizes of mounts from:
(100 x 150)
(130 x 180)
(210 x 300)
(300 x 400)
(400 x 500)
(500 x 700)
I expect to require about 50 of these per week. (when you say "50 prints a mount" do you mean 50 holes cut in a A1 board? - this is my naivety asking). The internal cut size to accommodate the pictures will change however. If things take off how I hope they will the thing that concerns me is the volume of repetitive mounts to cut hence looking at maybe bringing it in house from the start and it being automated.
Some may have two/four apertures so mullions (correct terminology?) Do framers use architecture words?
Again maybe my naivety - the prices I've seen so far via some of the trade websites seem to be in excess of what I can source at my local Range (part of Iceland group). I can get 4x A1 sheets for £10. I can't comment on the quality compared to the likes of Daler-Rowney and from memory none of their stock is ribbed.
The next question is frames. I'm happy to just purchase standard stock sizes and supply. I'm guessing the volume retailers on the high street (IKEA, Range, Dunelm) sell theirs around £7 for an A4 due to economies of scale and volumes produced or is it possible to source them myself for cheaper?
Example:
https://www.therange.co.uk/home-furnish ... BwE#149810