Ribbon Enhancement

[Z David]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask anyhow...

Has anyone ever used a colored ribbon as a mat board enhancement? Like putting under another mat to create a slight color reveal (instead of a second mat). I've seen it done with colored paper before.
I say this because I was in Wally World today and was quite impressed with the wide variety of colored ribbons in the fabric/crafts section.
Would they need to be treated like a fillet with frame sealing tape?






Z

 

[Grey Owl]

Try it.

I don't see a problem with decorative art. I would be concerned about fading over the long term.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

It was very common in the 80's. Always looked best when used with an interesting fabric mat. Used miles of Moire fabric on antique etchings we would hand color using water colors. Used a lot of ribbon between mats and applied to the mat itself. Little tied bows from fine ribbons were popular. Redoute floral prints were popular like this as well.

 

[Z David]

Would a ribbon fade at a faster rate than other colored items (including mat boards) in the framing package?





Z

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Fabric ribbons are as stable as fabrics used for mats.

 

[Susan May]

Some ribbons fade quickly, and some don't fade at all. You need to know the quality of the ribbon company, and also keep in mind the color of the ribbon and where it will hang.

Blue will fade the fastest... but blue almost always fades the fastest.

I would probably stay away from ribbons like velvet, as they can shed. Also, if you want to use a ribbon that has a wire edge, I would reccomend pulling the wire out.

As for being acid free... I don't know what they use as sizing in ribbons, but I don't recall ever seeing ribbons turn yellow from acid burn. (I had 28 years working in a craft store.)

Lion Brand ribbon is one of the top brands. They have done the Olympic ribbons in the past. I would probably tend towards the Double faced Satin (it is soft, and often printed with pictures and such). Since you are in business, you can look them up and possibly order direct from them. (You need a retail tax number to log into their web site.)

Good luck.

 

[Z David]

Folks... thanks for the feedback!





Z

 

[Ylva]

Ask Erin McBride to post the photo of something she just did with ribbons!!!!! Absolutely gorgeous!

 

[Z David]

Cool








Z

 

[FrameMakers]

While not ribbons, Bonnie Palizzi had several classes at the WCAF show and the Crescent booth where she used strips of fabric matboard that she peeled and then mounted to 1 ply board and then folded the edges for a finished look. She calls these "Flares" and they do really add a lot to a design. She did mention that she stays away from ribbons as to her they seem a little to 'crafty' and not as sophisticated as what she is looking for. I am at work and only have one photo from my phone that I took at her class. I have others that I took in her booth, but I would suggest taking one of her classes or stopping by the Crescent booth at next years show.

 

[RParrish]

Can be done with ribbon and marble paper too.

 

[Susan May]

While I agree that some ribbons would lend a "Crafty" look to some framing, there are some places where it might be the right look.

1) A baby picture, with ribbon printed with baby feet or baby bottles.
2) A picture from a beach vacation, with a ribbon printed with sand dollars, or fish.
3) Graduation picture, with diploma or year printed on the ribbon.
4) Wedding picture with bells on the ribbon.
5) Christmas picture of kid on Santa's lap, ribbon can have almost any christmas print, plaid, or even a red or green solid.

Those are the things that come to mind.

Oh! Perhaps a x-stitch? They sometimes lend themselves to a nice "Crafty" look.

Crafty does not have to look tacky.