HELP! Matboard frenzy!!!!!!!!!!

[degodan9]

The problem really is that I'm fed up with Light Impressions and their months of having products on backorder. I've only been using their services since about 2007, and from friends advice and looking at threads here on APUG, they've been giving the same runaround to us since as early as 2003. At this time, their Westminster bright white 4 ply rag board has been on backorder for a little over 3 months.

Sad fact of the matter is it is hard to find products with their quality. Also, they don't just sell 32x40 sheets like Crescent, they have smaller sizes.

I found this website, archivalmethods.com, and they seems eerily like light impressions, yet without half of their products being on backorder. Is it too good to be true, or will I get my moneys worth with a large pack of 16x20 4play rag board from them? In this huge world, our only options can't just be LI and Crescent.

This question has been asked before, in regards to archival methods, but no one seems to have experience with them. I hope someone can give some new input. Thanks to all for any replies.

 

[DWThomas]

You might look at some "art supply" stores. Blick's is a national chain that has online ordering and also local stores. For the limited amounts that I use, I usually make a trek up the road a ways and buy "museum board" mat from them. Not sure about cut sizes, as I usually slice up my own.

I used to buy from LI many years back when they were in NY state; they were convenient as a "one stop shop" for archival goodies, but I thought the pricing tended to be pretty dear.

DaveT

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I have used and have been very happy with Frame Destinations. They are one of the sponsors here and they are very fast to ship everything is well packed and their customer service to real good. Give them a try.

Jim

 

[Jeremy]

Another fan of Frame Destinations!

 

[Alex Hawley]

Superior Archival has been taken over Smith/Chamlee and is now called Lodima Archival Materials. APUG member Richard Boutwell is running it. Here's their website: http://www.superiorarchivalmats.com/sam/index.html

 

[AllenR]

I found this website, archivalmethods.com, and they seems eerily like light impressions, yet without half of their products being on backorder. Is it too good to be true, or will I get my moneys worth with a large pack of 16x20 4play rag board from them?

I've done business with Archival Methods for a couple of years now and they deliver what they advertise. Their matte board is every bit as good as LI IMO. They actually have product in stock, ship quickly, and their customer service is excellent. I also use them for negative sleeves, enclosures, and all manner of boxes.

 

[degodan9]

So far Allen has hit the nail on the head. Everyone else's websites that have been mentioned pretty much only carry crescent board or you can only order precut mats, which i do on my own. Has anyone else personally used Archival Methods as a board source, or is Allen the only one?

 

[thefizz]

I have used Archival Methods a few times for some small orders and never had a problem. They have also replied promptly to any product queries I have emailed about.

 

[jovo]

I've been very happy ordering from RediMat for a couple of years now. They sell Crescent full size board in various grades, but also sell "blanks" that are pre-cut to size, but without a window which is best for me as I cut my own. The only draw back is that there is a minimum order of $100 for mat boards, and $50 for mounting supplies, and shipping from the west coast to the east coast isn't cheap. Still...I do and will continue to use them until I find something as good or better.

Frame Destination has promised to begin offering "blanks" sometime this year. When that happens, I'll be happy to try their services as they're APUG advertisers, and participate in the forums as well.

I have no use for Light Impressions. They are just waaaay too expensive.

 

[Tim Gray]

I've ordered frames and mats from Frame Destination and have been very happy with them. I've also ordered negative storage products from Archival Methods and will be doing the same. I have no experience with their mat board, but I will be ordering from them again. Decent prices, quick shipping, etc.

 

[fdi]

Sad fact of the matter is it is hard to find products with their quality. Also, they don't just sell 32x40 sheets like Crescent, they have smaller sizes.

Are you buying uncut or full sheets? I am curious because at Frame Destination I am always trying to find new and better ways to help our customers. I am currently investigating new shipping technology that would make it more cost effective to sell full sheets without the corners getting damaged in shipping.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Mark, I am now doing some research on 1/2 sheets ( 32x40) and some cut sizes in 8 ply alpha rag and 4 ply also. My cut sizes would be 14x18 and 16x20 in both 4 and 8 ply. I still like to cut the openings myself. I know I can get these sizes from Lodima (Formerly Superior Archival) but if I could get frames and boards at one place this would be ideal.

Jim

 

[fdi]

Mark, I am now doing some research on 1/2 sheets ( 32x40) and some cut sizes in 8 ply alpha rag and 4 ply also. My cut sizes would be 14x18 and 16x20 in both 4 and 8 ply. I still like to cut the openings myself. I know I can get these sizes from Lodima (Formerly Superior Archival) but if I could get frames and boards at one place this would be ideal.

Jim

Although we sell uncut, the website does not directly support it yet. You have to leave a note in the special instructions during checkout. I hope to have it added directly in the next few months. We charge 10% less for uncut. We sell the 8ply Alpharag mat board now. I am working on adding colors and adding the 4-ply Alpharag matboard. Feel free to contact me offline for help or questions.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[WarEaglemtn]

Why anyone would be using anything other than Bainbridge Alpharag Artcare boards is beyond me. Crescent is more difficult to cut and has been having problems with waviness and rippling the past while.
The Artcare boards actively protect your photographs from atmospheric pollutants and outgassing from wood frames as well as the artwork itself.

Cuts beautifully, is clean and in a number of shades of white and the quality is excellent. After the patents run out and anyone can make this type of board look for all the others to jump into the fray. For now Bainbridge is the big dog on the block.

 

[degodan9]

Mark, I am also looking for uncut. Basically just 16x20 4 ply sheets for me to hinge and cut windows myself. Again, my only problem with the Crescent and Bainbrudge board I can buy locally is the fact that the last time I had the art store guys cut it down, they were way off which makes cutting windows a little harder. LI offers the cut down sheets rather than just full size, and a 16x20 board will really be 16x20 which is the convenient aspect. If you offered precut board without having precut windows, I'd be a happy camper.

As for Archival Methods, from the looks of it, they're carrying what I'm looking for. I ordered some stuff a couple of days ago so I'll follow up here when it comes. Thanks to all.

 

[Richard Boutwell]

Mark, I am now doing some research on 1/2 sheets ( 32x40) and some cut sizes in 8 ply alpha rag and 4 ply also. My cut sizes would be 14x18 and 16x20 in both 4 and 8 ply. I still like to cut the openings myself. I know I can get these sizes from Lodima (Formerly Superior Archival) but if I could get frames and boards at one place this would be ideal.

Jim

I hope there is not a problem with me posting this reply here, as we are in the process of once again becoming APUG sponsors.

As Alex had mentioned, Michael A. Smith has recently purchased the computerized mat cutter from Allen Geiser when Superior was in danger of disappearing completely. Michael and I had talked for some time about reestablishing Superior Archival Materials under the Lodima umbrella, and we are now accepting orders.

In my Dead Link Removed I announced that we are now selling foam backing board, Nielsen metal sectional frames and acrylic glazing. The pricing for the frames and plexi are not yet available on our website, but I am happy to provide a quick quote for any custom order you may have. In most cases we are able to fulfill orders the same or next day.

Best,

Richard Boutwell
Superior Archival Materials

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Richard, thanks for the update on Superior. I did visit the website and noticed that you had the size and type of boards that I use. With the addition of frames and glazing I know in the future I'll be doing business with you. I like the boards pre-cut as I think there will be less damage in shipping. I also like to support our sponsors.

Jim

 

[Joe O'Hara]

I recently ordered 16x20 4-ply rag mats from Archival Methods and am perfectly happy with the product.

 

[degodan9]

So the only difference I can see with the Archival Methods is the density. It seems a bit less dense than Light Impressions board. This lack of density shows when cutting a window and the mat frays a bit. Easily fixed with those bones you use to smooth ruffles in mats or with an emery board. My opinion, which doesn't matter at all, is that Archival Methods is just as good as Light Impressions. The hassle of fixing the frays on the board outweighs the hassle of dealing with LI horrible business operation.

 

[gr82bart]

I'm a big fan of Picture Frame Destinations too. Plus they are an APUG sponsor.

http://www.framedestination.com/

Regards, Art.

 

[Mahler_one]

Another vote for both FD, and Lodima Archival Materials and Richard. Both are great outfits to deal with.

While you're at it, you might enjoy reading about some of the science behind archival mounting, and the newest materials available for such archival mounting. There's a good review at the Smith/Chamlee web site. Quite interesting.