A Digital Printing Network

Stretcher Bars - Trying from a new place

OK - I'm being brave. I just ordered from a new place. I had ordered from the Canadian place last time and paid an astronomical shipping fee and the prices were gross. I just automatically ordered from them because we used them in the class. I realized I could buy the stretchers cheaper retail at my local craft store - so I was very dis-appointed. Because the majority of my sales are on Etsy, I have to match prices on there so I need to find supplies to fit those prices.

I just purchased today from these people:

http://www.FrenchCanvas.com

In November I ordered 250 bars from Upper Canada Stretchers and paid $400 plus $75 shipping.

Yesterday I ordered 500 bars for $259 - free shipping (over $250).

Yes that is double the bars (and the first time I ordered half 1 size and half a smaller size - this time it was all the larger size) for almost half the money!

I purchased bars in Michael's and another art store and they were very similar to what I was working with - so I'm hoping these are similar enough - because honestly it is obviously a HUGE savings.

So just wondering if anyone else has used them and of course I will keep you posted as to how they work!

Kelly :)

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Permalink Reply by Kim Lynch on February 4, 2012 at 9:32pm

This is all GREAT info! I've been looking into this also-before christmas I ordered a bunch of bars from Canada stretchers and shipping-ugh! So, I was trying to find something in the states!

Kelly I have a question: how do your customer hang their growth charts if you use banner material-I've used seramark.~Thanks

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Permalink Reply by One Hip Sticker Chic on February 5, 2012 at 11:22am

Hi Kim,

I tell them they can you double sided tape, zots, thumb tacks. I know there is one person who gives fabric covered tacks with hers - too much work for me. Some actually put the holes and the grommets in - ugly in my book. Some fold over, tape, and run a dowel and ribbon - too much work. I want quick - print - out the door. I'm selling them and only had one person complain. She said because of my name 'One Hip Sticker Chic' that she assumed it was a sticker. Even though I put in the description what it was. No one has complained about hanging it.

One other thing I messed around with was I purchased a length of thin plastic molding from Home Depot. I literally could cut it with my exacto knife. I used heavy duty double tape. I put a piece across the top sandwiching in a ribbon. to hand it with. It worked fine - I guess in the end I just felt like I was trying to fix something that was not broken. People are buying them the way they are.

Kelly

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Permalink Reply by John H. on February 2, 2012 at 4:29pm

Hey Kelly,

What's the word on the stretcher bars from frenchcanvas, Did you put those three jobs on them?

And are you OK with them?

Thanks.

John

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Permalink Reply by One Hip Sticker Chic on February 2, 2012 at 4:42pm

Ugggh. I am waiting for final approval on both of them. Sorry. You know how it is. As soon as I make them I will put up pictures. I did post pictures of the actual frames above.

Kelly

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Permalink Reply by One Hip Sticker Chic on February 3, 2012 at 12:37pm

OK - I'm happy with them. I have officially switched. I know that Roland found something cheaper and I may try them - but I'm completely satisfied with my purchase. Here are some pics of three of the canvases I stretched this morning.

Attachments:

20120203_4.JPG, 1.7 MB
20120203_5.JPG, 1.5 MB
20120203_8.JPG, 1.6 MB

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Permalink Reply by John H. on February 3, 2012 at 2:35pm

Thanks Kelly,

I will place my order,

This is great for those of us that have Versa Camm's, we can help each other avoid issues as a group and that can help us all make better use of our time, because "time being productive = profit, and head scratching = loss of time and loss of profit.