Marble Mat board?

[Susan May]

Why have most of the marble mat boards been discontinued? (I mean the Alphamats, or Crescent rag ones.) I often need an Acid Free Faux-Marble Mat.

Since I am in the Washington DC area, and we have so many Monuments and buildings made from marble, I tend to use a lot of it. Just reciently, I had three large frame jobs that needed a black marble mat... I was lucky to get the last two sheets my distributor had. Now it has been discontinued. (I only hope that my customer does not decide to frame the other picture to match the first three.)

Am I the only person who used marble mats?

Also... who uses the mats that look like wall paper? So far, my customers have all said the same things... "The white is too white, and the pattern is too busy." I personally think that the floral design on some of the mats are quit nice... but they tend to limit their use.

The marble needs to be brought back. (And in more colors!)

Just my two cents worth.

[decmatbds]

What marble pattern would you like? I have lots of patterns and could print them on any board you would like.
DMB

[Framar]

Sue, funny you should bring up marble matboard. I was just thinking the other day about how I was SO excited when they first appeared on the scene, and how I used to sell them all the time, and now I haven't sold any in years. I just have a bin full of old scraps, and they are not even rag!!

I think trends come and go, and matboard comes and goes with the trends. I mean, I really LOVED those marbles at first, and now they are real snorers... I need NEW!!! Plus, a lot of time, I paint and refinish my own matboards on a custom basis. I find myself cutting old marble scraps for the bin of small vintage prints that I sell (or try to sell!).

[AndyPan, CPF]

Susan, do you mean the pearlescent patterns from Cresent? I use those mats fairly frequently. Part of that series has a great Oriental design which looks great on a lot of Asian art, though I tend to use the cream and off white more than the stark white. It's a nice way to give the art a more "Asian feel." The more "floral-y" one I use a lot on wedding portraits. Granted, this would be a hard sell to the groom ;) , but the bride tends to love it.

I was never a uge fan of the marbles, as I think THOSE are too busy, especially with the darker colors. Though with your particular application, I think I'd be pretty put out myself. Hope you find a solution.

P.S. I know Tru Vu has marbles that are similar enough if not identical to the ones that Bainbridge had. Or did they discontinue those too?

[decmatbds]

The sale of decorative boards has not really declined, it is just that the real market moneywise is with the OEM's. It is very diffficult for distributers to inventory the great variety of patterns and colors that decorative boards offer, so the market for thease boards is with the people who are able to order direct from the supplier.
DMB

[Susan May]

I'd like to thank all of you for responding... but my BIG thanks goes to Scott, aka: Ozcrescent. He not only read this post... but he called me on the phone to respond. (Ahhh... the power of the Grumble! :D ) How many manufacturers out there not only read this forum, but take the time to personally call to respond? He didn't even delegate someone else to call me, he called himself! :eek:

THANKS SCOTT!!!

[Susan May]

Ok, you want to talk about service? The new Maryland representive from Crescent came to see me today. :eek: How is that for fast? She hasn't even moved to Maryland yet... she is still living in a hotel. :eek:

Thanks to the Grumble, we (all framers) have a voice that is being heard! :D

Asking never hurts. ;)

[Leslie S.]

I still use a fair amount of the TV marbles, usually in the very light colors, with a pale gold undermat, for girl's diplomas. We in Hootersville, er..Waxahachie tend to be a little behind the curve when it comes to fashion. :D
I do my best to keep the framing classy, but current. Sometimes it is an uphill job....