We occasionally get calls from customers asking if we offer Crystal Clear Bags in either 4 x 6 or 8.5 x 11 sizes.  We don’t currently carry these sizes but would consider doing it if there’s a demand.

The 4 x 6 size (the actual size of this bag is 4 7/16 x 6 ¼) might be appropriate for those of you who print or attach your artwork onto a gift card and sell it with an envelope.  The 8.5 x 11 size (size is actually 8 15/16 x 11 1/4) might work for those of you who print photos this size and sell them without adding a mat.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about this.  Could you use these sizes?  Please take this opportunity to talk back to us.  A poll has been added to the sidebar of the blog. We would appreciate your vote (you can vote for both, if you want).

If there is another size that you regularly want us to carry, please let us know in the comments.  Thank You!

What are they? Acrylic spacers are self-adhesive square rods that are most commonly used to separate glazing and unmatted art.  We offer them in 5’ lengths - in either a 1/8” by 1/8” square size or 1/8”wide by 1/4” tall version.

When are they used? If you’re float mounting artwork or choose not to place a window mat on top of the art, it’s a good idea to elevate the glass or Plexiglass off of that artwork. Creating a thin layer of air between the two components prevents moisture build up and direct contact damage.

Use the 1/8” square spacers for 2-D artwork that’s been printed or painted onto thinner papers.  The taller 1/4” spacers are more appropriate when your artwork has a little dimension - like a thick and wavy watercolor paper.  (Please note that acrylic spacers aren’t really appropriate for shadowbox framing of 3-D objects.)

How are spacers applied? One side of the spacer has a self-adhesive strip.  This adhesive side is placed on the edge of the glazing so that it will be hidden from view by the frame lip. The spacer should run the length of each side of the glazing, meeting at a right angle at the corners.

To cut them, simply score the plastic with a blade (along one of the non-adhesive sides), then snap the piece into two parts at the score line.

It’s best to clean your glazing and position it within the frame before applying the spacers. That way you can place them at the very edge, so they’ll sit well under the lip of the frame.

Then, simply lay the mounted artwork on top of the spacers and proceed with normal fitting and closing of the frame.

Tip: Cut your float mat board or mountboard as big as will fit within the frame. This way, the mat board will sit well on top of the spacers.

Other Possibilities. Add some dimension to your framing presentations: use spacers to raise window mats off of the art, or use spacers to elevate floated artwork off of the mountboard.

One way that we all do our part for our planet, is to reduce the amount of stuff that we cast off and send to landfills. If you’re inclined to think about the end result of what you order from us, read on.

We offer two types of mountboard that once they’re no longer being used to support your artwork can be recycled and therefore kept out of the waste stream.

Archival Mountboard - Exactly like a piece of 4 ply Alphamat matboard, but priced like a mountboard, it’s made by Bainbridge and comes in either white or ivory.

2UB and 4UB Mountboard – UB (utility board) is a solid core chipboard product.  It has white surface papers and a gray core.  2UB is about as thick as a piece of matboard, and 4UB – at double thickness - is about 1/8” thick.

Both of these mountboard options are made from wood pulp. And just like most kinds of uncoated paper and cardboard made from trees, they’re accepted at recycling centers or can be put out in your curbside recycling bin with scrap paper and newspapers.

Click on the doors to enter the closet

Have you visited our Clearance Closet? This is where we have deals of 50-70% off mats, frames and supplies. We just added lots of new items yesterday. Look inside.

Your matboard order takes a many-stepped path through our warehouse before it leaves us.  All along the way we carefully check and recheck to make sure you get just what you ordered.

Step One - The mats are cut down from full sheet size to mat blanks – per your outside/frame size dimensions – on a computerized, guillotine-style chopper.

Step Two - The blanks are then taken to a mat cutter (a person) who enters your window specifications into a computerized mat cutter (a machine). Each blank is inserted one at a time into the machine and a window is cut in a continuous flowing movement.  

Step Three - The mats are then taken to our Quality Control Station where an eagle-eyed colleague checks them for:
correct outside & inside dimensions
proper setback and border sizes
appropriate color

    They also look for:
    flaws, marks and spots on the mat face
    dinged, or ragged bevels
    corner overcuts or irregular angles (should be a sharp 90 degree)

    And then, they recount them to make sure the quantity is right.

Step Four - Next is Staging, where the mats are shrink wrapped into bundles and then are placed on a shelf with the other products you’ve  ordered.

Step Five - A shipping colleague carefully packs your merchandise in a box, seals it, processes payment, generates an invoice and mailing label, and places it on the shipping dock awaiting either FedEx or USPS pick up.