Digital BW, The Print

Not all foamcore is created equally.

If you just need a cheap support...buy the cheap stuff.

If you are mounting or supporting an "archival" high quality print...use the
good stuff.

I personally only use "Acid Free" foamcore boards I buy by the case.  This
is not an issue with the foam...it is the papers surrounding the foam that
matter. They cost twice as much (or thereabouts) but the paper surfaces are
acid free.  They have a "warm white" paper surface that is not bright white
like the cheap stuff.  There are a couple of manufacturers (BienFang is one
and I believe Crescent has another) and this is usually available via
special order from a good framing supplier (though you may need to buy a
case of 32x40 sheets like I did).

This is not for everybody...

"I like cotton...and it likes me..."

As an aside, all of my prints are printed on acid free 100% cotton rag
paper, all of my mats are 100% rag cotton, I only use acid free mounts and
acid free linen tapes, and even acid free backing papers on the frames (also
more expensive and...admitedly going to extreme).  This makes it very
simple...everything used in the printing, mounting, and framing (not
necessarily the frames themselves) is acid free.

You can also buy barrier tape to prevent migration of acid from frames to
mats. (If you want to be really complete).

Of course I also don't use EAM because by my testing (of which I am
satisfied...to each his own) it is acidic.  (wink)

And...just to note...most framing shops choose the cheapest materials
available for standard framing.  This means they usually use the least
expensive (acid) mounting boards (or foamcore) or corrugated cardboard
(acid) or kraft paper (acid) and sometimes mats that are not acid free.  You
really need to check and specify and even "test" occasionally.  Of course
you can also pay extra for the good stuff too...

Hope that helps,

Steadman
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Paul Roark [mailto:paul.roark@...]
  Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 11:45 AM
  To: DigitalB&WPrint
  Subject: [Digital BW] So. Cal. Meeting Saturday & Foam Core


  I'm planning on attending the Southern California meeting of interested
  people on this forum this Saturday.  It's in the Thousand Oaks area.
  (Contact Frank Kolwicz [bb389@...] for more information.)

  While I'm down there, I thought I'd check some prices.  In particular, I
  need some foam core.

  Does anyone know if there is a good, cheap source of 22x28 foam core in
the
  Thousand Oaks area?

  Is all foam core created equal, or is some more archival than others?
I've
  noticed that my local drugstore is cheaper than Light Impressions, and I'm
  suspicious that the product is the same.

  Hope to see some of you at the Saturday meeting.  I'll bring some of my
  recent prints as well as some test strips on EAM, Photo Rag and Somerset
  Enhanced printed by a 7000 with MIS VM inks and the new, cross-platform
  curves.

  Paul
  http://www.PaulRoark.com



        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor


  Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:

  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint

  Please follow these basic guidelines:
  - Include your full name with your message.
  - Include the address of your website, if you have one.
  - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
them short.
  - As the topic of a thread changes remember to change the subject header.
  - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or
"flames."
  - Complete your Yahoo profile.
  - Before posting a question, search the message archives and the various
resources on the homepage.




  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]