Spectrum Paper and Mountboard Discount Offer

[Mike Farley]

Spectrum supplies paper and pre-cut mountboard. I cannot vouch for the former, but have used the mountboard which is good quality. Between 16 - 19 March, the dates of this year's The Photography Show, the company are running an offer of a 20% discount. It means that the board will cost a similar amount to the Wessex mountboard for which I have been doing a joint order on behalf of the club for the past few years. The advantage is that there is no cutting down of the boards from the A0 sheets. The disadvantage is that there is a small delivery charge which will negate some of the savings.

I will be placing an order, so if anyone wants to share the delivery cost you are welcome to join in. Just post your requirements here in response to this post. Alternatively, you can place your own order using the information given here.

Details of the paper and mountboard are on the Spectrum website: https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/.

Details of the discount are in the latest PAGB e-News 225 Extra (http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/sites/default ... 202019.pdf) which is a The Photography Show Special. Spectrum will not be at the show this year.

[Mike Farley]

Until now, my standard lustre paper has been Permajet's Oyster 271 but I am just using the last of what I have. Looking at the reviews for the Pinnacle Photo Lustre paper from Spectrum, I am going to give that a try. As just one example, Keith Cooper at Northlight Images, which is an excellent resource, gives it the thumbs up and uses it for his commercial work.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/pinn ... er-review/

Note that the paper is available in A3 with a half price mountboard offer from Spectrum.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/half-pr ... r-30-c.asp

Note also that the precut mountboard is available in both imperial and metric sizes. I will be buying the 500 x 400mm size.

[anapena]

Hi Mike,

I'm looking for a good offer for my Annual Exhibition picture, I need to study a bit what do I need and let you know.

Ana

[Mike Farley]

Hi Ana

If you are submitting colour prints to the exhibition, Spectrum's Antique White board is probably the best option. The warmer tone of the mount usually works well with colour.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pre-cut ... -213-p.asp

For mono, I usually prefer a cooler tone. The Snow White looks similar to the board I usually use except that it is textured, which I do not especially like. On the other hand, the print will be under glass which will mute the effect.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pre-cut ... 3180-p.asp

I already have some of the Ice White board which will go well with some prints, but not necessarily all.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pre-cut ... -212-p.asp

Spectrum also offers pre-cut window mounts which are useful if you do not have a mount cutter. The disadvantage is that you will be cropping and sizing your prints to fit the window rather than the other way around.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pre-cut ... -178-c.asp

Backing board stiffens the mount and protects the back of the print. Unless you are very skilled at getting the positioning right first time, I would avoid the one shot self adhesive board.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pre-cut ... -266-c.asp

Everything should be 500 x 400 mm, which is standard for most competitions these days.

Finally, you will find masking tape and double sided tape useful. I use masking tape to attach the print to the mount and make a hinge for the backing board. Double sided tape keeps everything held together. That way, there is nothing adhesive on the external surfaces of the mount which can cause obvious problems. Competition organisers will often disqualify any prints presented with a sticky surface.

https://www.paperspectrum.co.uk/mountin ... -301-c.asp

[Mike Farley]

I will be placing my order on Sunday if anyone wishes to share delivery costs.