Archival matboard sources?

[bsimison]

What's a good source for archival framing and mounting supplies -- ArtCare Rag boards, etc? Light Impressions' prices are not good, and they backorder items like mad. Charette/Pitman's prices are a little better, but they also backorder items a lot, with no warning until you're reading your packing slip and discover you are missing items. SuperiorArchivalMats.com's website is still available, but their phone number appears to have been disconnected.

I've searched the forum archives a bit, but most of the posts I've turned up are fairly old.

Thanks!
-Brett

PS: I'm in central Vermont, if that helps.

[eric black]

try Dick Blick art supplies- www.dickblick.com.

[Allen Rumme]

You might give Archival Methods a try.

http://www.archivalmethods.com/

I've been using them for a while now. They have the same stuff a LI, ship promptly, and provide excellent customer service.

[Ralph Barker]

You might give Archival Methods a try.

http://www.archivalmethods.com/

I've been using them for a while now. They have the same stuff a LI, ship promptly, and provide excellent customer service.

Do they pack better than LI, Allen? I'm so tired of crushed corners from the LI/UPS combo.

[Greg Lockrey]

I use American Frame http://americanframe.com/ but they are local to me. Dick Blick is good too, and so is Cheap Joe's http://www.cheapjoes.com/ .

[bsimison]

Do they pack better than LI, Allen? I'm so tired of crushed corners from the LI/UPS combo.

I've learned to accept that I'm going to lose 1/2"-1" of at least two sides of my shipped matboard and foamcore...no vendor I've ordered from has avoided dinged corners yet.

Thanks for the resources, everyone.

[Allen Rumme]

Do they pack better than LI, Allen? I'm so tired of crushed corners from the LI/UPS combo.

Ralph,

Unfortunately, that is one area where they are as challenged as LI. Let's face it, packing matte board so it doesn't get damaged is a bit of a trick. Plus, and this is the real issue IMHO, UPS seems to be able to destroy just about any type of packing, no matter how robust. From personal experience, Archival Methods quickly does whatever is necessary to take care of any issues.

[matthew blais]

I use Valley in LA and surrounding area..they deliver personally to my door for $10.00 so no shipping per se. I also have an account so get better than retail. They carry Artcare®
http://www.valleymoulding.com/contact.php

[Ted Harris]

Try www.framingsupplies.com. Excellent prices and never had a dinged corner. Also, real nice people.

[Mark Sawyer]

I've found that if I buy 10-20 sheets of museum board at a time, the local art supply store is about the same as the internet discount prices when you include the shipping. Sometimes they may need a few days to order it, but dinged corners and surprise lengthy backorders are never an issue, and it feels good to support the locals. I like that they're there when I need a quick roll of hinging tape, a single matte board, blades for the window cutter...