Quick Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Bamboo Painting Panels

Being an artist is being open to new experiences that benefit and improve the quality of the artwork. This is why experimenting with new materials and mediums may be fun and fascinating, as you get to find new details that will impact your creative journey. 

Like many artists who paint on wood painting panels, you are probably familiar with birch, oak, walnut and other common materials, but we would like to present to you our new product and its unique material - bamboo. 

Pros/Cons: Are Bamboo Panels Worth It?

Surface

Bamboo painting panels started to become a #1 choice of many creative figures for the past half a decade due to many benefits that come with its usage. It has an ideal rigid surface, allowing for all paint media to be applied on. The surface of the panel is hand sanded, preventing any warps that the paint can cause.

Hanging System 

Bamboo painting panels have grooved hangers on all four sides, which makes it possible for the artwork to be displayed both horizontally and vertically. Once you found a perfect place for display and drilled in a screw for the hanging system, your artwork will be ready to place on the wall. 

Frameless 

Do not want to spend your energy looking for a perfect frame? Why not go with an elegant, frameless finish which will allow the artwork to shine with no distractions and would save you money on framing services. Due to a simple grooved hangers system, anyone with minimum experience would be able to display the final piece.

Environmentally Friendly 

The most relevant advantage of using bamboo panels in comparison to other wood painting panels is the environmental impact. Bamboo is one of the most renewable resources in the world. It is one of the fastest growing plants and it does not die after harvesting, meaning there is no deforestation.  If your business is environmentally friendly, such sustainable product choice will only increase your sales and appreciation for our beautiful planet. 

Climate Sustainability

Due to the fact that bamboo is most commonly grown in tropical zones, it is highly sustained in a humid climate, as it does not swell unlike hardwood. It keeps its sturdy form even when it has contact with water and the surface does not warp when different mediums are applied on.  

Limited Sizes

As Bamboo panels are only starting to get recognition, we do not offer custom-sizes but can provide you with the following dimensions …

  

Cost 

Due to many benefits of bamboo painting panels, including its long-lasting, sturdy and easy usage, these panels tend to be at least 10% more expensive than regular wood-painting panels (ex. birch). Despite a slightly higher cost, the quality of the product will exceed your expectations!

Birch vs. Bamboo

In order to understand bamboo panels on a better level, let’s compare them to a common birch wood-painting panel through the most important factors. 

Weight: Birch wood painting panels are commonly much lighter than bamboo panels, making them more comfortable to transport and work on. 

Thickness: Birch panels have ¾” and 1.5” deep depth, while bamboo panels come in ½” depth.  

Layout: Both of the panels have a beautiful front layer, suitable for all mediums. Note, that for both of the panels it is highly recommended to prime a surface prior to painting or any other applications. 

Price: Like we mentioned before, due to the large amount of “perks”, bamboo panels tend to last longer and have a higher cost. 

Heat and Water Resistance: Birch wood painting panels are not heat and water resistant as bamboo panels, which allows them to serve its purpose for a longer period of time. 

Choice: Due to the fact that bamboo panels are not as common and birch panels have been on the market longer, they are still a first voice of many artists around the globe. 

We would like to encourage our customers to be mindful of the products and items that are used for their projects and try to work with natural resources. Bamboo painting panels are a great alternative to hardwood panels. Its quality material and encouragement to protect our environment while simultaneously creating wonderful artworks will make you fall in love with them, faster than you think. If you are ready to place your order, click here and discover different sizes provided on our website. 

Resources:

Artist Wood panels: Ready-made; Custom-size 

All About Gesso 

Printing on Wood

Top Matboard Brands: Where should your framing journey begin?

When an artist pours their soul into a work, the finished piece MUST meet their expectations! Every aspect of the creative production must fulfill the main idea of the project and the way an artist will choose to frame their artwork is crucial. Depending on the medium you work in, 

you may or may not choose to put a lot of thoughts into the way a photograph, print or a painting will be framed. One of the key elements in picture framing is choosing a correct mat for your artwork. Matboards or passe-partout have two main purposes: preventing an image from touching a glass and enhancing the visual appeal of the picture. But where do you start? Allow us to introduce you to several main matboard companies in North America that are waiting to help your creative wings spread. 

Before exploring the most reliable matboard companies, let’s unwrap a few things you may need to know prior to your purchase. 

There are four main types of matboards that most of the companies supply, which are:

• Regular matboard: is made from wood pulp paper, but fully acid-neutralized

• Conservation/Rag Mat: has a cotton core and an acid-neutralized wood pulp face paper

• Museum Rag: is made entirely of cotton, with absolutely no lignin or acid

• Black Core/White Core: is a regular mat with a black or white core. Black core is commonly desired with dark-color mat or very dark artworks, to avoid a white line around the art (created by the beveled edge). 

Acid-free vs. Acid-neutral matboards

The majority of matboards you will find are pH neutral, meaning their ranking on the overall scale is a 7, just the same as pure water. If something has a pH ranking greater than seven it is considered an alkali, so less than that would be considered acidic.

Because a matboard with a ranking of 7 isn’t technically acidic, you may stumble across a term “acid-free” which technically refers to “acid-neutral.” Yet, sometimes you may find the term “acid-free” when it is, in fact, referencing a pH level greater than seven, which is a better reflection of what “acid-free” really means. 

Shapes and Forms

In addition to many colors and patterns, mat boards also can come in different shapes.It does not have to be a perfect square or a rectangle, but can come in oval, circular and even custom-made forms. Multi-photo mats offer the advantage of displaying many images without requiring a lot of frames or holes in the wall. The multiple mat openings can be arranged in a variety of ways.That allows artists or photography enthusiasts to have a wider selection, when it comes to framing. 

Thickness

A term that is worth remembering is “ply” which refers to the thickness of the matboard. The most common ones are: 4 ply, 6 ply and 8 ply (from 1/16” to ⅛”)

And now, let’s find out what companies are standing behind professionally made framing supplies!

Peterboro Matboards Inc  

One of the most famous and successful mat board companies is Peterboro Matboards Inc. Turner Brothers started their business, producing handmade watercolor paper and art paper in 1902. In 1924 Turner Brothers acquired Card and Paper Works Limited adding price cards, illustration and canvas boards, as well as matboards to its product range and in 1932 entered a Joint venture with National Card and Mat in California. In 1979 for the very first time, they officially reincorporated as Peterboro Cardboards Limited. For a while, Peterboro remained as a family business, however in 2001 a new management team set out to introduce brand new production techniques and improved quality control standards which allowed a company to keep developing and innovating to this day. 

Peterboro Matboards Inc. has been a pioneer in Specialty Art and Framing materials since 1902. The company is considered to be one of only a handful of manufacturers world-wide that continues to produce a large line of matboard products. With constant innovations, cutting edge technology and quest quality standards industry-wide, Peterboro continues to keep at the forefront of matboard producers. 

"The best matboard value in the world."

A simple statement that has truly become the driving force behind Peterboro today. The company's goal is to have the name Peterboro synonymous with value. This means no compromises in any aspect of what their customers expect from the mat boards they use.

Nielsen Bainbridge

As one of the most prestigious and widely recognized names in custom framing today, Nielsen Bainbridge is the flagship brand of the Nielsen Bainbridge Group. Now headquartered with its parent company in Wheeling, IL, Nielsen Bainbridge combines intensive research with the latest styles and trends to deliver a wide range of the highest quality framing products to the world’s  professional framers and museums. Under its century-old Bainbridge brand, the company produces the most highly regarded offering of mat boards and foam boards, as well as graphics and illustration boards. Bainbridge offers a vast array of contemporary color options and styles, along with the highest quality materials for virtually any framing need. In 1995, Nielsen Bainbridge introduced Artcare™ technology to the framing industry, resulting in the first and only matting and mounting materials providing active protection to artwork from damaging airborne contaminants. Artcare technology has proven to provide the most advanced archival protection and is the preferred choice among many of the world’s most prestigious museums.In addition to its main markets in the U.S. and Germany, Nielsen Bainbridge picture framing products are sold through affiliated companies in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Poland. The company also exports products to many countries, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Spain.

Nielsen Bainbridge team is dedicated to providing only the best service and products which is why their slogan is “Nothing is too far in our effort to ensure that all of our products, activities and development reflect our commitment to integrity, community and the environment,” which resonates with their dedicated clients. 

Crescent 

In 1902, the Ozmur family founded Crescent, which is now in its fifth generation of leadership and commitment to the company. Within 120 years of dedicated work, Crescent transformed from a small family business to an international corporation, supplying artists all over the world. 

Crescent's team is very committed to the quality of their products which motivated them to continue innovating and developing new, on-trend items to meet the changing needs and interests of the talented artists that trust the company. 

Their slogan is “Nothing is too far in our effort to ensure that all of our products, activities and development reflect our commitment to integrity, community and the environment,” which is why Crescent art and preservation materials have been selected for decades by students, hobbyists, and professionals alike. 

Smaller Brands of matboards

Rising matboards

Rising Museum Boards consist of 14 colors and manufactured with 100% cotton. The boards are acid-free, Neutral pH and buffered with calcium carbonate. Rising boards are sized for French matting and many artists use the boards for various fine art techniques such as drawing, charcoal, pastel, and silkscreening.  One hundred percent rag is used to produce all Rising Museum Board. Acid Free Rising Board is made with a minimum pH of 7 and is acid-free. No alum is used in the entire papermaking process. The single ply sheets are laminated together using an inert adhesive that is 100% acid-free and archival. Only the finest pigments are used in the manufacturing process to ensure that all the colors will not bleed nor fade. The lightfast colors are solid throughout and are fixed into the fiber. Each run of Museum Board is matched to a stored color sample and controlled using computerized color measurement and trained color technicians. Rigid Quality Control & Consistency Rising Board is continuously tested during the manufacturing process by both computer and manual controls to ensure conformance to the TAPPI and ASTM specifications required by the archival community. Superior Cutting No other board cuts as precisely as Rising to produce an ultra-sharp and clean bevel. To ensure this quality all plys are from the same quality and caliper with consistent density throughout.

Berkshire matboards

Berkshire matboard meets the continually evolving demand for creating framed wall décor with on trend style and sophistication that complements any art style. The Berkshire product line was specifically designed for the needs of the larger volume wall décor manufacturer. With over 300 vivid colors and richly printed patterns – a palette that provides unparalleled creative and design flexibility. Berkshire products meet the growing demand for matting with a style and sophistication that complements any artwork.Berkshire brings you the latest in style and design with the industry’s largest color palette, all backed by the quality of Crescent.

Hampton matboards inc.

Hampton Matboards has been developed from 100 years of Matboard experience and expertise. This understanding has allowed the company to provide products specially designed for high-volume users at prices that remain globally competitive. Hampton is a cost effective choice for those who desire high-quality, clean results and a board that is easy to handle. Made with a buffered alkaline pH this sturdy board creates a crisp and smooth finish that lasts. Featuring even color coverage, Hampton Matboard is available in a range of popular mounting colors to match the look you're after. A great option for those larger jobs that require an efficient, reliable and affordable solution. 

We proudly guarantee the quality of the matboards that we provide and integrate in our custom-framing services. Now that you have a better understanding of what matboards are, feel free to place your order online as early as today!

*Place an order here* 

More useful resources: 

• ALL ABOUT MATS

• MEASURING FOR MATS

• MAT(picture framing)

• FRAME FITTING, SECURING THE CONTENTS OF A FRAME

An Overview: What is GPT-3 and What Does Art Have to Do with It?

As human beings we depend on social interactions and look for a meaningful connection our entire life. Luckly, with the rise of the Internet you can find your “soulmates” all across the world without leaving your room. Only a few decades ago, the ability to meet people online was bold and strange, however now it has become a mandate and ordinary task that does not “wow” social media consumers. Perhaps, you may think that living in the golden age of technology limited your ability to get surprised by new innovations. But what if we will tell you that the need for human interaction can be fulfilled without interacting with other people? 

It is true, we live in a time when the Internet environment slowly starts to integrate sources of information, articles, short stories and many more written by Artificial Intelligence. No, the robots are not taking over just yet, but they do learn to help organize beats of information and present it in a human-like manner. A new language model called GPT-3 was developed in order to generate AI-written text that has a potential to be almost identical to human-written sentences, paragraphs, dialogues, song lyrics, recipes and many more. 

How does it work? 

To simplify, GPT-3 is a massive collection of text with over 175 billion parameters in the world, which makes it the largest language model ever invented. Based on millions of people's writing abilities, GPT-3 was taught to create writing patterns based on user entry. That means, if you strike up a conversation talking about a particular subject, AI will easily adapt to the provided information, analyzing the language and creating the most likely output. The reason why GPT-3 stands out so much is due to the fact that no other language model can mimic human interaction this well. You may have zero idea that your opponent is not a real person, yet feel as engaged in the conversation. 

GPT-3 has the potential to completely change our lives and bring “utopian” worldview closer to reality. Even by observing regularly used retail companies, the quality of Customer Service improves due to the automatic GPT-3 dialogues that are being developed as a client looks for assistance. That allows businesses to navigate their establishment with less issues and faster customer’s aid. 

GPT-3 did not only benefit the sales and marketing industry but imprinted on the creative side of the world. In 2018, Fable Studio released a VR adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s book “Wolves in The Walls”, which won a Primetime Emmy for “outstanding innovation in interactive media”. The VR adaptation of the children’s story was unique and elegantly implemented the use of GPT-3, which allowed users to have natural conversations with the virtual character Lucy.  Fable Studio CEO Edward Saatchi proudly mentioned that “GPT-3 has given us the ability to give our characters life,” as well as allowing us “to combine an artist’s vision, AI, and emotional intelligence to create powerful narratives, and believe that one day, everyone will know a Virtual Being.”

Lucy, the protagonist of the story can be reached even outside of the VR experience, and anyone can chat with her online, which makes the virtual experience more personal and realistic.  

Like with any great invention, it is important to acknowledge the downsides of GPT-3. It is a new model which still requires improvement and development on its path. While many people admire a breakthrough in the video game industry, in which NPC characters will no longer say programmed lines but will evolve and have interests, intentions and feelings, many fear that GPT-3 is not as great as it may seem. GPT-3 uses machine learning algorithms to improve, however it lacks the “intelligence” of  an  AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and cannot come up with anything original that it did not inherit from the observations. Due to the fact that GPT-3 absorbs its online surroundings, but lacks logic and empathy, by consuming all of the given information it can come up with biased “opinion” and captivate radical and insensitive beliefs, which are controversial to modern society. And of course, one of the big downsides of GPT-3 is a privacy risk. It's unclear whether it  captures any portion of the training data, making it a potential privacy issue. 

GPT-3 is a new and “in-progress” model that still lacks its perfection. We will have to wait and see what the future holds. In the meantime, it is fascinating to see how science and creativity intertwine in order to improve our everyday lives and get closer to new possibilities. 

If you found this article interesting, you are more than welcome to explore a few resources that integrate with the symbiosis of technology and the art world:

INSTAGRAM: PRINTING AND FRAMING

DIGITAL EDITING SOFTWARE

DRONES: THE FUTURE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

GPT-3

Click here to place your order. 

 

 

 

What Are Tension Fabric Frames?

Ever since artists started using frames, their main goal has been to preserve the beauty that hides within the metal or wood edges, allowing the audience to capture an atmosphere of the final piece. Even though the true purpose of frames remained the same for the modern-day artists, many marketing organizations and campaigns started to use new generation frames as an advertisement tool.  Allow us to introduce you to a great innovation of the framing world - tension fabric frames. 

Consisting of a printed fabric material which is held in tension within a metal frame, tension fabric frames form a kind of ‘banner’. Aluminum frames allow the 3D banners to create “attention-grabber” installations which can be hung from ceilings or serve as floor-standing expositions. 

Despite its complicated and expensive look, tension fabric frames gathered a lot of benefits within themselves, which attract potential buyers who wish to use these frames as an investment. There are four main advantages of tension fabric frames that allow them to stand out on the market: 

• Affordability: Tension fabric frames are pleasantly affordable and durable, meaning you will not have to spend extra money on your purchase, as these frames tend to last long in great condition. 

• Easy to Transport: Instead of carrying an obnoxious installation, tension fabric frames can fit in a small suitcase due to its compactability and light-weight. This advantage allows customers to experience mobility when taking their frames on a business trip, art exhibit, and other forms of presentations. 

• Different Display Options: Tension fabric frames do not limit the creative process and offer a variety of possibilities to present a final product. They can be attached to the walls, serve as a free-standing banner or be suspended at height. 

• Removal: Once your installation has reached its end, be sure that you will not have to waste hours of removal. Tension fabric frames have a simple construction which allows fast setup and disassembly. 

Tension fabric frames are a great fit for organizations that thrive on creativity and “outside of the box” mentality. Almost as a metaphor, your product can be displayed through a modern and innovative way which will highlight an imaginative idea of the entire exhibit. 

Tension fabric frames are also eco-friendly and are very common among eco-aware businesses who wish to inspire their clients to carefully analyze how their purchases affect the environment. 

In our current fragile climate, it is crucial to remember the environmental effects of producing printed OOH. Aluminum frames and the banners are reusable and are made with a recyclable material. This makes tension fabric frames the “greenest” in the outdoor advertisement niche.   

If you are caught up in the world of marketing, tension fabric frames will be your new business companion! With the help of its eye-catching design, you will stand out of the crowd and gain more potential customers. 

Resources you may find interesting: 

HANGING AND DISPLAYING ART

FLAG FRAMING

FRAMELESS WAYS TO DISPLAY YOUR ARTWORK

*Check out our website to learn more about different types of frames*

Guide: How to frame Rugs/Carpets and Large Fabrics

When we think about wall décor and ways to give your office or home a “pop of color,” many will instantly assume that the best and ONLY way to decorate boring white walls of your safe space is pictures, paintings and photographs. However, there is so much more to two-dimensional art that we can grasp. In a lot of cases ordinary paintings and family photos are not quite what we need in order to create an exclusive and elegant atmosphere. Art goes far beyond the definitions of a canvas and digital paper and finds itself in mediums such as broidery, and weaving. Perhaps, you have come across a piece of work you wished to put on your wall, however hesitantly realized that the process of framing hand-made 2D pieces could be different from regular picture framing. If you wish to learn how EASY and FUN framing rugs, and large fabrics is, we created a guide that will help you explore such innovative and engaging techniques. 

Let’s get to work! 

Framing Carpets and Rugs 

Did you know that aside from its common purpose of keeping the heat and  warm ambiance in the house, carpets and rugs have a much more complicated and fascinating history and a completely different purpose? Tracking all the way back to the Bronze Age, Middle East introduced the medieval Europeans to the usage of carpets, not as a source of comfort, sound and cold resistance, but as a true piece of art, which is why many choose to hang their carpets up on the wall, in order to appreciate its rich texture, talented and unique making process and history. 

 You will need:

• Carpet/rug of your choice 

• Float Mat Frame

• Pliers

• Stapler

• Hot Glue Gun

Step By Step Process:

Step 1: Grab a floating frame and take it apart 

Choose a Floater Frame that would correspond to the size of your rug/carpet and take it apart. Pull out the staples and pliers and move your floater frame aside. 

      Step 2: Position your rug on the mat. 

In case there was a different artwork within the frame you may need to take it out and lay out your rug/carpet on the mat, until it looks up to your liking. 

Step 3: Attach the rug 

One of the most secure ways to attach the rug to the mat is with the help of a glue gun. Simply apply hot glue on each of the inside corners of the rug and attach it to the surface of the mat. 

Step 4: Put the frame back together

Once the glue is fully dry, it is time to put the frame back together. 

To learn how to assemble your floater frame, we have attached a video, showing you a simple step by step tutorial. 

Types of #CanvasFloaterFrames and How to install your canvas into a floater frame  

*The main difference between a rug and a carpet is size, as even the biggest rugs tend to be smaller than regular-sized carpets, therefore require a slightly different approach when it comes to framing. Although the process of putting a rug up on the way is very similar, it's conciseness allows you to experiment with a variety of other methods of hanging. We have talked about how to Mount your work up in a floater frame which is the exact same process for rugs, however there is so much more you can do when it comes to using a rug as an element of your wall décor, such as Velcro and Curtain Rod methods.*

Framing Large Fabric and Needlework

Now, you may ask yourself, “why bother framing a piece of fabric onto a wall?” Well, have you ever looked at a beautifully made design or a pattern and thought to yourself that captivating its gravitas as an ordinary pillowcase or upholstery would not be enough? From neatly done 

needlework of all sizes and shapes to printed tapestries, fabric décor can benefit the overall aesthetic of your room and bring its atmosphere to the next level. Due to its lightweight and simplicity, hanging and framing a fabric-based artwork would be easy and engaging even for the children, which could turn a task into a fun family activity. 

      You will need: 

Clothing iron

Chosen display fabric

Double-sided mounting tape

Picture frame with mat board

Step By Step Process:

 

  Step 1: Iron the Fabric

Make sure that your fabric is neat and does not have wrinkles that can make the framing process more difficult, as we go. The straighter and pleasing your artwork looks in the first stage of the assembling, the better! If the material of your work prevents you from ironing its surface, a better solution would be to steam it prior to hanging. 

*Manually check the settings of your clothing iron in order to avoid burning/harming the material.* 

Step 2: Placing a Fabric 

Once you finish ironing your work, deconstruct the frame and place the mat flat down. After that grab your artwork and place it onto a mat, evening out its edges, until it looks desired to your satisfaction. 

Step 3: Attaching Fabric to the Mat

With the help of double-sided tape we will be able to attach the work to the framing mat in order to secure its placement. Simply, peel off your tape (adhesive tabs may also work for this step) and place them individually to each corner of the mat. Position your fabric onto the taped mat. 

Step 4: Final Touches 

Now that your beautiful fabric piece is ready for the final step, let’s assemble the frame back together, using the same technique that was used to assemble a frame for our rug. 

Types of #CanvasFloaterFrames and How to install your canvas into a floater frame 

And Voila! You are all set and ready to hang your art and enjoy its beautiful and breathtaking patterns, texture and worth!

If you wish to order floater frames to make your project come true, check out our website and choose your favorite custom-made floater frame of any material and color. 

Click here to place an order.