Acid-free Artique and Miller Mat Boards/ Crescent Selects

LA Gal

Grumbler
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Posts
36
Loc
Canada, Lethbridge
What are your feelings on these mat boards? I have used Alphamats and Crescent Rag since I started, but love the colors of the Artique and the fact that all the Millers come oversize. I hear varying opinions on them from the framing reps.......also, what about the Crescent Selects?
 
Alphamat, Artique, Crescent Select and Tru-Vue are all purified, lignin-free boards and equivalent in that sense.

This is different from the "acid-free" standard boards that are buffered and subject to change in pH over time.

Some people, like me, prefer the look of a solid rag board, but there is no compelling evidence that they are a better conservation product.

In my mind, the Alphamats and Alpharags have an edge because of the zeolite (Artcare) technology which is supposed to protect the art from environmental pollutants. Not everyone is convinced that this works.

My own favorite boards are the solid Alpharags - available in 65 colors and thicknesses - but I use most of the others you mentioned as well.
 
Ron, Do you stock mats? We order as we need, but I am considering stocking one brand....hard to decide which one, I am in total agreement with you on the Alphamats Solids, they are the favorite in my shop as well.
 
I stock about 500 different mats - the ones I think represent a good range of colors and tones.

About half of them are Bainbridge, including all of the Alpharags.

Part of my commitment in buying a CMC was to have lots of board on hand. I normally cut the mat within 24 hours of writing the order. When I get my chop in, the art is matted & mounted and the glass is cut, so I'm ready to join and fit.

The Bainbridge line is larger than the other three combined so, if I had to choose one, that would be it. I dont' want to choose one, but many others do exactly that and are happy with the decision.
 
Ron, What type of mat storage units do you have? Do you have an inventory list of the mat #s that you carry? Would you share it with me?

I have about 2500 Square feet, with only 800 of workshop. I am extending my workshop out into the showroom, and want to double the space to give room for a new vacuum press (the BIG one) and the CMC. I also want to work in some mat storage, and more storage bins for completed projects. The new area is currently semi partitioned by a cracked glass wall. We used to do Interior Design and this was the designer's area. I would leave it semi-accessible to the public to "show off" the CMC (of course)....and possibly to hang some completed projects to "show off" while not having them out in the totally public area.

[ 02-26-2004, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: LA Gal ]
 
Ron, could you please list some of the color names and numbers of the 65 Alpharags you mentioned? I'm still not sure if we have them. Thanks.

We don't really use the Crescent Select. The colors parallel Artiques. We started with Artique and have so many fall-outs from them. There's really no place else to store yet another new line if the color differences are not obvious. We carry all the others mentioned.

If anyone carries Crescent Select and finds there's a big savings as compared to Artique, please let me know.
 
Jana,

While Ron is walking his dog, I'll state that he is referring to the 8600 series of solid colored Bainbridge mats.

Pat :D
 
We use Alphamats and alpharags the most, then cresent rag. I don't care for some of the surface papers on Miller Boards. Artique seems to cut harder than all the others. We stock most Alphamat and rags.


Jack
 
I just switched all my Cresent samples for all archival Bainbrigde samples.
I worked with both before and I don't have a preference. What got me to switch is, that Bainbrigde is cheaper for me to buy and the selection is better.
I just opened my store in June 2003 and saving money is a good thing :D .
 
I guess it really is a matter of personal preference once you learn which lines of mat boards are truly archival in quality.

I have stocked Crescent boards for the last 10 years, the 1500 and 1600 lines, the Moorman suedes, and a smattering of Moorman linens. When LJ came out with the Artique line, I put them in and I am happy with the quality and color selection. I also stock a selected number of Bainbridge alpha's and suedes in colors that don't seem to show up in the other 2 lines.

I try to stock 1 board of each line and 2 in some of the more popular colors but, with more frequent delivery in my new area, I find that there really isn't a pressing need for me to keep all this inventory on hand. I am slowly cutting down on my onhand matboard inventory and order on demand.

We just recently had a thread on matboard storage and there were a couple of posts on that thread showing photos of mat storage ideas. Do a search at the top of this page and you should find plenty of ideas on storing matboards.

Framerguy
 
as mentioned befoe, we stock and show only Bainbridge Alphas; will do Crescent only as a lst resort. that said, we have now also put out the newest promo material from Bainbridge showing the archival quality of their matboard. quite handsome pieces, complete with static cling thingies for the glass and stickons for the back of the package. Also handout material explaining how the Artcare concept works.

All in all quite professional, which is what I've come to expect from this company.
 
Thanks for all your great reponses...I will search for those mat storage ideas. I agree with the observation on the Miller mats, if it weren't for all being oversized, we may have dropped the line (they do have some unique colors too) In Canada, they are my most expensive choice, so I usually pull them last.
 
LA Gal

Why would you pull your most expensive mats last? If your markup is the same for all mats you would make a larger profit from selling the more expensive mats. Or are you selling all mats no matter what the cost for the same price?

You may also want to have an even higher markup for the high end mats - the customer has decided to spend more on a special mat - will a few more dollars make a difference. At this point they are probably not price shopping.

This can be a luxury business so let the customer buy a Mercedes if they wish - don't insist they buy a Chev. And have a price system that gives you a Mercedes profit when you sell one. You'll sell enough Chevs and Yugos.
 
Hello John in "Southwest Canada" (could you be more vague? :cool: )....... I have the FullCalc framing software, and it comes pre-programmed with mats in specific price categories. It had all the acid-free mats programmed in one price code when we set it up; I did consider varying the prices but I knew it would be a hard sell to customers when the mats are basically the same. Some of new Bainbridge solids are in a higher price category, somewhere just beneath the suedes. I get better prices on the other mats, so that is why the Miller are more expensive for me...I think they are pretty much the same price regularly.

[ 02-28-2004, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: LA Gal ]
 
"I knew it would be hard to sell to customers"

Let the customer see what's available at what price and let them decide how much to spend. Don't put your own values in place for the customers. I assure you it's easy to sell great designs and materials to customers. Once the customers have seen a special mat that really looks great on their art they will gladly pay more. The last frameshop they went to was also sure they wanted low priced stuff and only showed them everyday mats and design so all that's left for them to shop is price. I like it when a customer makes it clear they have been to other shops first and comes to me to ask price. I know they are really looking for something better rather than a better price for the same humdrum framing. I'll sell them every time with better design and materials and at a far higher price after they get excited about the design. And they will come back for more!

Software with built in codes and markups, downloaded price lists - this is dangerous stuff for a small business. Just how much does this mat cost, how much did you sell a 24 x 30 inch piece for and how much profit did you actually make. Many framers are too busy, lazy, or ignorant to crunch these numbers on a regular basis. (no insults intended - just reality). I have found framers so afraid of price that they sell suede at the same price they sell paper mats. At the sales table get every dollar you can by upselling, addons, and design details.
 
Hey John,
I'm back after taking a couple of much needed days off.....I understand what you're saying about selling higher ticket items. When I bought the shop 10 years ago, I was taught the exact same ideas by the previous owner. To be honest, I didn't buy into it at first...tried to be everything to everybody for a short time and then smartened up and focused on the good customers who apent money. The ones who shopped because the atmosphere was relaxing, it's a beautiful store, we pampered them, and had the best ideas. We cater to a very high end clientele who like the fact that I will always deliver and hang for them. I get to see some amazing houses, which allows me to see what other pieces of art might look great in their homes.I am also an Interior Designer, so I can also make suggestions regarding furniture I may see on my shopping trips.

Framing programs are indeed a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. When setting up the program I spent days going through my pricing scales and adjusting them to suit me. Once I have the scale how I want it, I can do an increase by a specific percent and the "scale" stays the same; an increase in prices takes me about 30 seconds; best equipment I ever bought for my shop saves me so much time, and keeps us accurate. I like to spot check prices from time to time....not as often as I should though..Thanks for the reminder....maybe this weekend......Lori

P.S.Back to the Millers......I also have a hard time selling something that is more expensive "just because" There needs to be a value. I sell alot of Suede mats because people can see the difference....it's harder for a customer to see the difference between the Alphamats and the Ultimats, and I don't find the Ultimats to be better..."as good as" maybe, but not better.
 
Actually no Mercedes wanted here. From my '47 Plymouth, through my '70 Roadrunner, and many more Chryco's to my Current Dakota PU, I'm a Dodge guy. There's a Durango in the driveway as well. Had a Chev once, 62 Impala, Had a Ford once, 56 wagon. Never really looked at the "Imports". Driven 1.2 million miles and if I add up buying prices and subtract selling prices the grand total for cars is 24,800 bucks (not counting the Durango) - that's a lot of miles for the money and a lot of dependable service. The Dakota has 15 years and 235,000 km on it and I expect another 5 years - and I can't find a new vehicle I like better. Used to haul 2000 lb cases of glass in the Dakota - it hasn't been baby'd! I've just started making car payments - to myself - in 5 years I'll buy the car - interest is the enemy!!
 
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