This was the biggest, busiest show I've ever attended. Lots of new framing things to discover, but I was able to get out of the "education wing" for short durations only twice, and saw just a few of the exhibitors's booths.
But in the short time I was on the trade show floor, here are some of the new things I saw:
1. 3M "Pro Spray" -- a new water-based spray system for mounting. No toxicity concerns, easily controlled overspray, permanent when dry. And best of all, affordable -- less than $100 for the system. The adhesive comes in convenient bottles. I think they said this system will be available from 3M distributors next month.
2. Mini-Weld, also from 3M. This was actually introduced at the New York show, but wasn't available then. Now it is, and it is great. It's applied similar to hot melt glue, but it's more like epoxy when cured. Extremely strong for frame miters, and the best yet for securing custom-made object mounts.
3. Nori Paste -- From Frame Tek, this is REAL starch paste with no additives; meets FACTS standards. It comes in handy 5 gram, single-use foil packets. It has perfect consistency, and is guaranteed sterile until opened. At $11.85 per dozen, a practical alternative to our own fresh-cooked paste.
4. WallBuddies Security hangers -- this is an adaptation of the superb WallBuddies hanging system, to add security features. And it works -- the frame is easy to hang and level, and also easy to secure with one T-screw.
5. Magnetic Picture Hooks by Danion Industries -- These are something like our standard wall hooks, except that a magnet has been built in to attract the frame's wire. Supposedly, this eliminates reaching behind the frame when hanging the picture. However, most of our wires are either aluminum or stainless steel, neither of which is magnetic. Reportedly, there's some kind of steel attachment for the wire itself, which enables the magnet to work, but it isn't in the sample packs. I'm not sure about this one...
What other new products were there, that I missed?
But in the short time I was on the trade show floor, here are some of the new things I saw:
1. 3M "Pro Spray" -- a new water-based spray system for mounting. No toxicity concerns, easily controlled overspray, permanent when dry. And best of all, affordable -- less than $100 for the system. The adhesive comes in convenient bottles. I think they said this system will be available from 3M distributors next month.
2. Mini-Weld, also from 3M. This was actually introduced at the New York show, but wasn't available then. Now it is, and it is great. It's applied similar to hot melt glue, but it's more like epoxy when cured. Extremely strong for frame miters, and the best yet for securing custom-made object mounts.
3. Nori Paste -- From Frame Tek, this is REAL starch paste with no additives; meets FACTS standards. It comes in handy 5 gram, single-use foil packets. It has perfect consistency, and is guaranteed sterile until opened. At $11.85 per dozen, a practical alternative to our own fresh-cooked paste.
4. WallBuddies Security hangers -- this is an adaptation of the superb WallBuddies hanging system, to add security features. And it works -- the frame is easy to hang and level, and also easy to secure with one T-screw.
5. Magnetic Picture Hooks by Danion Industries -- These are something like our standard wall hooks, except that a magnet has been built in to attract the frame's wire. Supposedly, this eliminates reaching behind the frame when hanging the picture. However, most of our wires are either aluminum or stainless steel, neither of which is magnetic. Reportedly, there's some kind of steel attachment for the wire itself, which enables the magnet to work, but it isn't in the sample packs. I'm not sure about this one...
What other new products were there, that I missed?
