Alternate to “Light Impressions”

[lgpod1]

Has anyone tried Archival Methods out of Rochester NY? They seem to have good pricing, and almost the same product line as LI.

[glbeas]

Has anyone tried Archival Methods out of Rochester NY? They seem to have good pricing, and almost the same product line as LI.

Have you got a link you can share with us?

[donbga]

Have you got a link you can share with us?

Did you try Googling?

http://www.archivalmethods.com/

Don't forget Warehouse Framers in Atlanta for archival matt board and framing supplies as well as custom frame chops. All at discount prices.

Looks like Pearl Paint in Atlanta carries a lot of similar items too.

[KevinR]

I have had a friend who uses Superior Archival Materials. They have a website but it is phone orders for now. Might be worth a try though.

http://www.superiorarchivalmats.com/sam/index.html

[DKT]

I'm not going to link because I only have hard catalogs right now, but they do have websites, so you all can dig the out....alternate companies:

University Products, Gaylord Brothers, The Metal Edge, Archival methods (as mentioned above), TALAS, Archivart, Conservation Resources Int'l, and Hollinger.

Hollinger has been around forever--they're a long time supplier for archives goung back 50+years. their catalogs never seem to change (nor do the prices). they have an offshoot now, called geneology supply or something like that to cater to the non-institutional customers...

Gaylord is another good one--they have a number of different catalogs, but the main catalog is about 650 pages long, covers everything from archive supply, conservation, photo storage & handling, to library materials and furnishings. University Products is also similar to Gaylord in this respect. Brodart is another one, but more library supply.

The Metal Edge and Archival Methods are more recent entires. CRI has been around longer, and they carry a lot of technical conservation products on top of the microchamber enclosures and polyester sleeving as well. They have a presence in the UK as well as the US. Archivart, TALAS etc--more bookbinding, library supply, mounting materials etc.

They're all about the same, it just depends on what sort of products you're looking for. The place I work for has done business with just about all of them, but for whatever reason, LI is no longer on our vendor list. I don't know if it had to do with the purchasing system or what, but they dropped out late last year. About 5 years or so ago, they quyit carrying some of the storage products we use anyways, but I always liked their apollo & renaissance papers.... oh well, there are other companies out there.


btw--on Archival Methods site, Dennis Inch is mentioned...he's from LI at an earler time, and co-wrote the book, "The Life of a Photograph", which covered a lot of ground, including a big chunk of it on conservation matting....

[bruce terry]

As mentioned, LI freight charges are INSULTING, and I'm glad to find so many other good/better suppliers are about.

Talked to them about this by phone a month or so ago and it was like talking to an unplugged vacuum cleaner.

[nsurit]

I've purchased precut Nielsen Bainbridge mats from Iconusa.com and most of my framing comes from American Frame. There are some local frame shops that can be competitive. Bill Barber

[hortense]

I have been having trouble also.

In reading through the NaturePhoto1/Peter and RobertHall comments on Light Impressions I can smell what really is happening or has happened. This appears to be a battle between distributors and high volume discount OEMs.

I require more than frames and mats i. e., a broader line of photographic and art products. Some sort of management/marketing/ownership change is/has taken place.

Any suggestions for an alternate source, preferably west coast would be appreciated.

[naturephoto1]

I have been having trouble also.

In reading through the NaturePhoto1/Peter and RobertHall comments on Light Impressions I can smell what really is happening or has happened. This appears to be a battle between distributors and high volume discount OEMs.

I require more than frames and mats i. e., a broader line of photographic and art products. Some sort of management/marketing/ownership change is/has taken place.

Any suggestions for an alternate source, preferably west coast would be appreciated.

Hortense,

At this point, almost all my supplies are coming from rather local suppliers, M&M Distributors in NJ, United Manufacturers in NY, and LeWinter in Pittsburgh. My custom wood frames continue to come directly from the maker with an exclusive arrangement here in PA and my metal frames come from American Frame. At this point, after the drastic change in the Light Impressions methods of dealing with individual photographers they will probably only supply me with special Tyvek tape and corners. But, that is their problem. They will have lost thousands of dollars a year from me alone and like amounts from many other photographers and shops.

Rich

[hortense]

NaturePhoto1/Richard- I require a West Coast source.