Crescent Rag Mat Insight

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Jeff Rodier

Jeff Rodier

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Posts
19,217
Loc
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Many framers have received Crescent Rag that was not up to usual standards. I have arranged to have samples tested and identified by core manufacturer and laminator. I have been given some insight as to the problems here and will share what I can.

I need Grumblers to send to me small scrap of BAD BOARD so I can have it tested and will share the results with all Grumblers.

Anyone wishing to help can send me a piece about the size of a business envelope in order to get this rolling. Please put your store stamp or sticker on the scrap with the approximate date that you received the board.

Please drop it in an envelope and mail it to my store if you would like to find out what is going on.
 
What insight Jeff?
I stopped carrying most all Crescent boards a while back. The only ones I carry now are 63702 (favorite for OSU stuff) and the britecores.

Dave
 
Turns out that all matboard is priced by weight. Matboard can be produced to a certain thickness with many different densities to the paper board itself. I have been told that the usual supplier on this board decided that at the price it was being sold at it was a money loser. The producer did not believe that making it less dense was a good decision. Since they were losing money on each board and could not get additional money for what they were supplying they decided to shut down the piece of equipment.

The supplier had already been "convinced" to not make board for other manufacturers and those brands went elsewhere.


Customer came in-------more shortly.
 
Now Crescent has been trying other suppliers with price constraints. Under the pricing constraints the board has to be less dense in order to hit the price point.

Crescent is setting up a plant in China in order to drive down the cost associated with manufacturing.

Crescent is also manufacturing their own line of moulding. They have shown the line at the trade show in Italy and claim that it is only for sale in Europe. I was told that they have built up such a huge surplus that it only makes sense they will be selling it here in the U.S.

Now add the fact that they will not ship samples and guess what's next.
 
I got samples about 4 weeks ago. Wasn't there another thread about that?

About 95% of the boards I use are Crescent and I have noticed no difference. Maybe I'm not picky enough?
 
The problems have been with the Rag Mat. Rag is produced in only a limited number of factories. The boards that have had problems in cutting were made to weigh less but at the same thickness. The fibers can be tightly woven or can be more spun for lack of a better word like cotton candy.

Framers noticing the most problems are those cutting on CMC's since the paper facing is not held tightly against an underlayment the way they are with a straight line cutter.

They have used several different factories to supply the boards since several have gone under and they have not found the quality for price point they would like.

I would like to get some samples to see the actual make up of the bad boards.
 
I haven't seen so many people remain silent since the FBI asked for clues as to the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa.

I did get some Private Messages with an assortment of samples but would like some more.
 
We have had the worst problem with 8ply rag. I'll be sending you a sample. The corners fall apart whether they are uncut or overcut. We only have a CMC but I was able to get one order out by using a small hand cutter for the corners. Then I ordered in Bainbridge.
 
I'm knocking on wood as I type this. I've seen no problems and I'm 95% cresent rag.

framer
 
Hey Jeff

I appreciate your efforts. What is Crescent willing to do, if anything, with your findings? I think its noble though.

As I run across pieces, I'll send them to you. At this point, I've not been separating them out. I've been throwing them away and sometimes I have the 'leftovers' but I won't know which ones they are until I go to cut them again.

I don't beat Crescent, because in these economic times I understand that all industries must do what they have to do to maximize profit on their lines. On the other hand, with the consumer side of things... if my supplier just made a decision for pennies (or as far as I know, a dollar) 'price point' decision and its caused their customers to lose money (repeatedly) then it was a bad one. We lose $8-$20 a pop. What are they losing?

I love Crescent colors. But it doesn't sound like me that this is a cycle of paper that's going to work its way through. It sounds like a permanent decision based on a cost factor.

Crescent, if you're listening...can you please just address this issue directly to framers so we'll know what you're going to do about it? I'm happy with sticking by you until you can 'work out a problem' if thats what it is...however, I don't think its reasonable for you to expect us to continue your lines with these expensive (for consumers) quality problems without a resolution plan.

No replies...and I have to pull. Not to be mean, but I can't afford to keep eating this.
 
Jeff: When saying Crescent Rag has a problem, is/are there a particular set(s) of Crescent rag numbers that seem to be more a problem then others? I have not had any problem with any of my CMB rags or Selects. If anything, there are a few Alpha's in the brown/rust colors that "tear" when cut. I only use a C&H cutter, so I might not see the problem you are describing.
 
Mik,

Good question. That's why I am accumulating an assortment of samples to determine where the problem lies. Like I said before the trditional straight line cutters experience less problems than the CMC's.

On a side note, I did get from a very reliable source that the issue with getting mat corner samples is that Crescent found that they were manufacturing 2 1/2 sets of corner samples per framer nationwide. Crescent will provide corner samples but only once they have determined that they are for a Bona Fide business and that there is an actual need for the samples rather than someone who just wants a complete set in case they are missing a couple or just want to do a quick switch so they don't have to weed discontinued boards.
 
Thanks to all of those who have contacted me privately and are sending samples. I will be forwarding them as I receive them and let you all know the results.
 
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