I know a few pros here on TP use them, but there doesn't seem to be any comment on them in here, so thought I'd share my experience, assuming that's ok? 
Over the last few months, I've been researching a very good quality framer, and after a few recommendations from here for Ultimat and Kaleidoscope, I went with Ultimat initially as they're local to me and I could pop round if ever there was a problem.
They're trade only, so unless you can convince them you're a professional, I don't know if there's a qualification criteria. When you apply for an account, you need to supply trade references or at least your bank details so they can check you out. I didn't have the former, but happily provided the latter. A few days later, I visited their showroom in Wokingham, and met Sara, a sales manager who was most welcoming and gave me a nice tour of their facilities (along with a good brew), showing me the various frames, canvases, acrylics they make.
She offered to have a few sample prints done, so I sent via their FTP server, a couple of photos, one in colour and the other in B+W - all their prints are made on large size photo plotters. The quality is excellent, naturally, and their preference is to receive files in Adobe RGB colourspace. They're happy to have them in jpeg or in TIFF
After submitting my first order, I had to pay for them up front as it was my first order. This is their policy.
As I was in a bit of a rush as I had an event I wanted to show my newly made sample frames, they pushed it through in a week. Normally, they have a two week turnaround from date of order to postage. You can pick up if you wish
So now, having picked up my two frames, I'm in awe. They are truly professionally made, and the quality is just fantastic. Their pricing is very reasonable IMO considering the quality they produce, and it makes pricing I chage clients pretty flexible.
They have a folder catalogue showing the various style frames they manufacture. It's nice it doesn't have pricing attached to it, so it's usable to show your prospective clients.
If you prefer to mount yourself with your own prints, that can be done too. They offer to supply empty frames, or for a very reasonable amount, they'll print and mount them for you. Personally, I'll be going for them to put it all together, they do a much finer job than I could hope for myself
So all in all, a very positive experience, and I'm delighted to now offer my clients truly wonderful frames. Thanks Sara and the team at Ultimat
Over the last few months, I've been researching a very good quality framer, and after a few recommendations from here for Ultimat and Kaleidoscope, I went with Ultimat initially as they're local to me and I could pop round if ever there was a problem.
They're trade only, so unless you can convince them you're a professional, I don't know if there's a qualification criteria. When you apply for an account, you need to supply trade references or at least your bank details so they can check you out. I didn't have the former, but happily provided the latter. A few days later, I visited their showroom in Wokingham, and met Sara, a sales manager who was most welcoming and gave me a nice tour of their facilities (along with a good brew), showing me the various frames, canvases, acrylics they make.
She offered to have a few sample prints done, so I sent via their FTP server, a couple of photos, one in colour and the other in B+W - all their prints are made on large size photo plotters. The quality is excellent, naturally, and their preference is to receive files in Adobe RGB colourspace. They're happy to have them in jpeg or in TIFF
After submitting my first order, I had to pay for them up front as it was my first order. This is their policy.
As I was in a bit of a rush as I had an event I wanted to show my newly made sample frames, they pushed it through in a week. Normally, they have a two week turnaround from date of order to postage. You can pick up if you wish
So now, having picked up my two frames, I'm in awe. They are truly professionally made, and the quality is just fantastic. Their pricing is very reasonable IMO considering the quality they produce, and it makes pricing I chage clients pretty flexible.
They have a folder catalogue showing the various style frames they manufacture. It's nice it doesn't have pricing attached to it, so it's usable to show your prospective clients.
If you prefer to mount yourself with your own prints, that can be done too. They offer to supply empty frames, or for a very reasonable amount, they'll print and mount them for you. Personally, I'll be going for them to put it all together, they do a much finer job than I could hope for myself
So all in all, a very positive experience, and I'm delighted to now offer my clients truly wonderful frames. Thanks Sara and the team at Ultimat
