Any firshand experience with Hahnemuhle Gallery Wrap System?

[Colorwave]

I got an email today from Lexjet, promoting the new Hahnemuhle Gallery Wrap System.  

http://www.lexjet.com/lexjet/newsletter/20...eWrapSystem.asp

The product looks cleverly engineered, but for a premium price I have concerns about the longevity of the materials, and the fact that the print does not wrap around the back corner.  It seems like the little details that are not apparent on this video could make or break it.  I found a powerpoint slideshow on the Hahnemuhle site that also shows using glue.  

http://www.hahnemuhledirect.com/news.html

Has anybody tried this, or at least held some finished frames in their hands and handled them?

[William Morse]

Hi Ron-

Got the same email, haven't seen it, but lafter looking at the PDF, I have to say, looks easy, but cheesy! Hope I'm wrong.

Bill

I got an email today from Lexjet, promoting the new Hahnemuhle Gallery Wrap System.  

http://www.lexjet.com/lexjet/newsletter/20...eWrapSystem.asp

The product looks cleverly engineered, but for a premium price I have concerns about the longevity of the materials, and the fact that the print does not wrap around the back corner.  It seems like the little details that are not apparent on this video could make or break it.  I found a powerpoint slideshow on the Hahnemuhle site that also shows using glue.  

http://www.hahnemuhledirect.com/news.html

Has anybody tried this, or at least held some finished frames in their hands and handled them?

[rdonson]

I don't think this is new.  It looks an awful lot like Picture Wrap Frames

[colinm]

The product looks cleverly engineered, but for a premium price I have concerns about the longevity of the materials, and the fact that the print does not wrap around the back corner.

Watching that video, I have the same concerns. For the prices Hahn's charging, you could buy a whole lot of stretcher bars, and without the nagging question of "When is the canvas going to break free of the adhesive?"

Certainly it would seem the pro version is "better" in that you're using glue rather than the self-adhesive, uh, "stretcher bars" in the consumer product, but still...

[Colorwave]

Watching that video, I have the same concerns. For the prices Hahn's charging, you could buy a whole lot of stretcher bars, and without the nagging question of "When is the canvas going to break free of the adhesive?"

Certainly it would seem the pro version is "better" in that you're using glue rather than the self-adhesive, uh, "stretcher bars" in the consumer product, but still...

Seems a little Ikea-like to me.  Easy to go together, and engineered to get the most bang for the buck, but only acceptable in the just right applicationt and with light duty.  Hahnemuhle has a good reputation (IMO), though, and i would not expect them to put their name on crap.  On the other hand . . .

[William Morse]

Strikes me as aimed at the "home printer" market.

Bill

Seems a little Ikea-like to me.  Easy to go together, and engineered to get the most bang for the buck, but only acceptable in the just right applicationt and with light duty.  Hahnemuhle has a good reputation (IMO), though, and i would not expect them to put their name on crap.  On the other hand . . .

[Colorwave]

Strikes me as aimed at the "home printer" market.

Bill

I think you probably hit the nail on the head, Bill.  What about this type of stretcher bar that is able to be retensioned?

http://www.ucsart.com/?type=search&key...CFRNOagod_CBjXw

Is anybody familiar with this type of stretcher bar?  I have used the glue and lock mitre style in two different thicknesses, but never tried this more old school frame.  Their arguments sound good, and I have experienced some loosening of tension in larger canvases.  There are some similarities to the corner braces in the Hahnemuhle frames, in that both seem to put outward pressure on the corners.

[Doyle Yoder]

This is a interesting concept. I first became aware of this about a year ago. The design first came out of Canada and was only available at http://ags.allgraphicsupplies.com/FinPrd_PicWrapFrames.aspx Wonder if Hahnemuhle has licensed this.

Anyway I tried a few of these. Compared to conventional frames these are a bit expensive but they do work fine and look good. The adhesive strip I am not sure about with canvas. I first tried one with a paper print. Works fine but the paper moved a little on the adhesive after it was streatched. So when I tried canvas I folded it of on the edge stapled it to the back. Worked fine that way and still is nice and tight after about 6 month.  

I have been stretching canvas the conventional way with the http://www.canvas-stretching-machine.com and haven't really made up my mind to try this Gallery Wrap System. It would even speed up stretching time more the the stretching machine does and the corners without fold I do have to admit look nice. I think it would not be hard at all to mill your own frames for this and use banner tape for the adhesive. If I was to use these I would also staple the canvas to the back of these frames.

Doyle

[dave mason]

We use Jack Richeson stretcher bars with corner keys. Currently producing about 50 gallery wraps per day....Merry Christmas. We buy the bars by the pallet load. They have been a great vendor and the bars are second to none. Combine their bars with Breathing Color canvas and you have an excellent product.

http://www.richesonart.com/products/index.html

[Doyle Yoder]

We use Jack Richeson stretcher bars with corner keys. Currently producing about 50 gallery wraps per day....Merry Christmas. We buy the bars by the pallet load. They have been a great vendor and the bars are second to none. Combine their bars with Breathing Color canvas and you have an excellent product.

http://www.richesonart.com/products/index.html

I hope you get a lot better price than what they list on their web site. The same bars can be had from ASW for much less. http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-sup.../art-supplies/4

Doyle

[dave mason]

I hope you get a lot better price than what they list on their web site. The same bars can be had from ASW for much less. http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-sup.../art-supplies/4

Doyle

Yes, we have a wholesale account with them.