Better Price than Light Impressions?

[john_hennessy]

I like to buy precut mount board in standard sizes so that I don't have to cut down 32x40 full sheets. Besides, I have no easy way to do that. So I have been buying from Light Impressions for years. Most other shops I have checked out on line or by catalog don't seem to have precut standard sizes like Light Impressions does.

 

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But my last order from Light Impressions was over $500 (a several years supply) and that seems very expensive. Does anyone know a better source for acid-free, good quality, precut mount board?

 

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Conversely, does anyone have a recommendation on a reasonable matt cutter big enough to cut down 32x40 board? I use a Logan Compact now which suits me fine for even up to 28x34 matts. But it won't do straight cuts as long as 40".

 

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Thanks.

[robert_lyons]

to cut down board try a DAHLE 36" cutter-i have a 30" and it is

precise and easy to use. another more convenient approach would be to

buy the 32x40 board wholesale and find a local printshop witha

hydrolic cutter and pay a small amount for them to cut down the board.

you probably already use an acid free non bufferred board but if not

it is much superior to a bufferred board. also, you can find thse at

pretty good prices from the local distrubutor as opposed to outlets

that typically mark these items up.

good luck

[michael_a._smith1]

Try Superior Archival Materials at 1-888-857-1722.

www.superiorarchivalmats.com

 

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Their mat board is far, far superior to the stuff Light Impressions

sells.

 

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Michael A. Smith

[david_willis]

I usually buy from a local guy who has good stuff at great prices.

In my searches, I came across www.framingsupplies.com. I spoke to

them once about buying a mat cutter, and was very impressed.

 

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Dave

[chris_patti1]

I saw Michael Smith's article on ArtCare board and found it quite

persuasive. On the other hand, the board is quite a bit more

expensive than the similar products from Light Impressions. Is there

any reason one couldn't save money by using the ArtCare board only

for the backing and using cheaper board for the overmat? It seems

that the advantages of ArtCare (as I understand them) wouldn't really

apply to the overmat.

[allan_fontanilla]

My local Calumet (San Francisco) sells their 4 ply "Crescent" brand

slightly cheaper than Light Impressions' "Westminster" brand. I

suspect they're made by the same company. Although I think they only

offer non- buffered acid free- or at least that's all I've seen in

stock.

[dave_willison]

You will save some money buy using Light Impressions Exeter board

versus Westminister (about $12 on a 25 sheet package of 16x20/4 ply).

You can spend even less buy purchasing full-size (32x40) sheets of

Crescent board from Daniel Smith or Dick Blick. You need about 6-7

full-size sheets to get the equivalent of a 25 sheet package, and each

sheet is about $6.25. Thus, cutting full-size Crescent board will save

about $14 over Light Impressions Exeter board.

 

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I don't have any sense of the archival implications of using less

expensive boards such as Crescent. As far as cutting larger boards,

compact mat cutting systems are normally too small. You could use a

larger system or simply cut with a long strait edge and a sharp exacto

knife with a new blade. (I took apart my compact Logan cutter and I

use the strait edge from that system.) I would also cut down the short

length of the board first to produce two 32x20 sheets. Use two

additional cuts to get four 16x20's. Good luck.

 

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..................................

[nick_jones]

Hi John,

 

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The Logan Simplex 750 Plus mat cutter has a 40" cutting board.

Compared to what you might pay for professional equipment with

comparable features, it is reasonably priced.

 

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As far as Light Impressions is concerned, I have been very satisfied

with the people who take their telephone orders, their prompt

delivery, and excellent customer relations: they immediately replaced

a defective frame for me at no cost and when an order was abnormally

delayed made a partial refund. Their sales and bulk discounts (esp.

in combintation with a sale) can make a big difference for a large

order. So, I think I've gotten my money's worth. But of course the

question of whether this or that board material is superior is

another matter altogether. Best, Nick.

[brian_ellis3]

Almost any framing shop will cut mat boards and windows in whatever

size and material you specify. Obviously price and quality vary from

shop to shop.

[dk_thompson]

John, we deal with alot of different suppliers for archival materials

(including LI)...here's a short list (not inclusive) of other

vendors...Gaylord Brothers, University Products, Hollinger, the Metal

Edge, Archivart, TALAS, and Conservation Resources International. You

can order sheets or cut boards from just about all these places. If

you're looking for Archivart boards, try CRI. CRI carries the Artcare

boards in addition to an extensive line of papers & enclosure

materials, including the Microchamber papers, Lig Free II & Silversafe

products. Look for boards & papers that state that they have passed

the PAT test. This is the ANSI/ISO standard for photo storage

materials.

[doug_theall2]

John,

Try the Logan 401 Intermediate Cutter for your full size sheets. I

use it with great success and ease. Also, for fun an giggles :o) try

comparing board prices you get from your mail order with Hobby Lobby

prices. When I figured in shipping and such they had better prices

than my mail order source.

Good Luck,

Doug