Digital BW, The Print

Well I now have in house a (refurbished) Workforce 1100 and some eb4 ink.  They first few test prints are quite promising, I like them a lot. Enough to think that I might want to actually mat some eventually.

So that is my next question. Paul mentions using natural white mat board so as not overemphasize the warmth of the carbon print.  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.'  So all help appreciated.

Paul I can't thank you enough for your efforts in developing these inks and techniques. I can't believe that I can have such great output for only about $150 for ink and printer.

Happy New Year all.

"kbee123456789" <dkbb1@...> wrote:
>
> ... natural white mat board ...  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.' 


I think most that just say "white" are fine.  The ones with OBAs in them probably will have some indication of such and/or indications that they are for inkjet prints.

I have used Light Impressions boards for some time but have lately been bouncing around looking for a reliable (and affordable) alternative myself.  

For standard 11x14 cut-outs check Michaels for a baseline price.  I've been getting frames from Documounts lately and am impressed with there quality.  So, I might be looking at their mats next.  I think there are probably quite a lot of on-line sources, and I'd like to hear what people think of them also.  

What I've been doing lately also is simply having my reliable and good local framer cut board that I have.  I gave up cutting my own.  The pros with the good equipment and know-how do a noticeably better job than I was doing.

Good luck with the outfit.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Hello,

I have been using Redimat.com in Santa Rosa, Ca. for the past year and have
been satisfied so far. I was using Light Impressions but they were taking
weeks to months to fill orders. 

Thanks,

Gary Wagner

www.garywagner.com

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 5:41 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Eb4 + 1100 .. nice. Now mat board.

 

  

"kbee123456789" <dkbb1@...> wrote:
>
> ... natural white mat board ... I am looking for some guidance on what mat
board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so
far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.' 

I think most that just say "white" are fine. The ones with OBAs in them
probably will have some indication of such and/or indications that they are
for inkjet prints.

I have used Light Impressions boards for some time but have lately been
bouncing around looking for a reliable (and affordable) alternative myself. 

For standard 11x14 cut-outs check Michaels for a baseline price. I've been
getting frames from Documounts lately and am impressed with there quality.
So, I might be looking at their mats next. I think there are probably quite
a lot of on-line sources, and I'd like to hear what people think of them
also. 

What I've been doing lately also is simply having my reliable and good local
framer cut board that I have. I gave up cutting my own. The pros with the
good equipment and know-how do a noticeably better job than I was doing.

Good luck with the outfit.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 





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

Alphacare from Bainbridge will likely serve your purposes. Any rag mat will come in several shades of white, from a very pure, bluish white, to a softer, "spanish" white, which is somewhat yellow. Call the suppliers below and ask for samples of mat board. Both have kits that they can send you. 

Bing at matcutter.com sells custom cut and pre-made sizes. From small amounts to high volume. Very good turnaround, very consistent quality, easy website to order from, or you can call and talk to Bing or Nancy personally. NIce people to deal with. (Alpharetta, Georgia)

Mark Rogers, at framedestination.com. Another good source for mats and frames, and some framing equipment. Another good website, excellent service, excellent quality. (Dallas)

Both of these sources serve demanding professional and retail markets, and will also cater to the individual artist.

Another good source for mats and frames is americanframe.com, in Toledo. 

Michaels is probably the last place I would go for framing, as their prices aren't really all that cheap, even when on sale. You are better off linking up with a local framer if you want to buy local.

Jim Parker
parkerparker :: design | photography
http://www.parkerparker.info
@dakkid / twitter

I buy Spanish White from Frame Destination: http://www.framedestination.com/

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "kbee123456789" <dkbb1@...> wrote:

>
> Well I now have in house a (refurbished) Workforce 1100 and some eb4 ink.  They first few test prints are quite promising, I like them a lot. Enough to think that I might want to actually mat some eventually.
> 
> So that is my next question. Paul mentions using natural white mat board so as not overemphasize the warmth of the carbon print.  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.'  So all help appreciated.
> 
> Paul I can't thank you enough for your efforts in developing these inks and techniques. I can't believe that I can have such great output for only about $150 for ink and printer.
> 
> Happy New Year all.
>

Cresent Rag (100% cotton) boards #1610 ("white") and #1687 ("eiderdown") work very well for natural papers + eb inks. I get these as sheets from the large art suppliers like Utrecht. I prefer sheets so I can cut custom sizes as needed. I cut mat windows with an inexpensive Logan Mat Cutter.


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "kbee123456789" <dkbb1@...> wrote:

>
> Well I now have in house a (refurbished) Workforce 1100 and some eb4 ink.  They first few test prints are quite promising, I like them a lot. Enough to think that I might want to actually mat some eventually.
> 
> So that is my next question. Paul mentions using natural white mat board so as not overemphasize the warmth of the carbon print.  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.'  So all help appreciated.
> 
> Paul I can't thank you enough for your efforts in developing these inks and techniques. I can't believe that I can have such great output for only about $150 for ink and printer.
> 
> Happy New Year all.
>

There are different levels of archival mat boards. In general you want to avoid paper mat boards. They are typically only used for "decorative" purposes. Bainbridge makes an archival alpha cellulose mat board called Alphamat that is very archival but their most archival is their Alpharag which is made of cotton (rag). Crescent makes a cotton rag board which is very archival but their most archival is their museum rag which is equivalent to the Bainbride Alpharag. Museum quality rag board such as Crescents or Bainbridge Alpharag place limits on the dyes used for coloring the mat board and the board is the same color all the way through. The beveled edge will be the same color as the surface. Lower end rag boards and alpha cellulose boards will have an archival core (which touches the art work), but then be laminated with a less archival surface material that provides the color. In that case the bevel will typically be white or black. Just a little less archival, but they allow for darker colors.

Regardless of what you go with you will want to get samples. Even if you have a color calibrated monitor and the website you are looking at did a good job placing accurate pictures online it wont be the same since your monitor is projecting light and the mat board will be reflecting light. The same color mat board will look different under different lights such as tungsten or florescent just as the paper will. You will want to place the mat board over the paper and view it under the light that the framed image will most likely be viewed under. Also keep in mind that UV filter glass or acrylic will also effect the color and cause additional color warmth. If using UV glazing you will want to view the mat and paper under that as well.

Cheers,
Mark 
President
Frame Destination, Inc.
http://www.framedestination.com/

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "kbee123456789" <dkbb1@...> wrote:

>
> Well I now have in house a (refurbished) Workforce 1100 and some eb4 ink.  They first few test prints are quite promising, I like them a lot. Enough to think that I might want to actually mat some eventually.
> 
> So that is my next question. Paul mentions using natural white mat board so as not overemphasize the warmth of the carbon print.  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.'  So all help appreciated.
> 
> Paul I can't thank you enough for your efforts in developing these inks and techniques. I can't believe that I can have such great output for only about $150 for ink and printer.
> 
> Happy New Year all.
>

Another recommendation for Redimat-
http://www.redimat.com/

Read over the level of 'archival' qualities that they offer to be certain it meets your standard.

Paul's comments on choosing a mat board color I found to be very helpful. Am now using PremierArt Fine Art paper, and Crescent Photo Rag #2299 mat board. This Crescent board is not overly white so the neutral coloring of the paper does not appear to be too warm.

It's a good combination for me.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tim" <tim@...> wrote:

>
> I buy Spanish White from Frame Destination: http://www.framedestination.com/
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "kbee123456789" <dkbb1@> wrote:
> >
> > Well I now have in house a (refurbished) Workforce 1100 and some eb4 ink.  They first few test prints are quite promising, I like them a lot. Enough to think that I might want to actually mat some eventually.
> > 
> > So that is my next question. Paul mentions using natural white mat board so as not overemphasize the warmth of the carbon print.  I am looking for some guidance on what mat board to use (and where to get it). Obviously it should be archival, but so far I have not found a color that says 'natural white.'  So all help appreciated.
> > 
> > Paul I can't thank you enough for your efforts in developing these inks and techniques. I can't believe that I can have such great output for only about $150 for ink and printer.
> > 
> > Happy New Year all.
> >
>