Trading Bags or Cork?

[MercuryChild22]

So I finally went to my first PTN here in Orlando, and I have to say it was a complete blast meeting so many people and seeing such extensive collections! Which brings me to my question: what are the pros and cons of storing pins in either bags verses cork boards? Bags seem easier to travel with, but stay in place on a board? What do you think? Share you're opinions please!

 

[fluffycat1]

Cons-you can't see them in a bag, so a cork is great for displaying. But don't forget a 3 ring binder with baseball card pages to hold your pins as well.

 

[Lamorak]

In my observations, cork boards are generally used for easy traders, like Hidden Mickey or open edition pins. Bags are generally used for nicer traders and LE pins. Zippered binders with baseball card pages are often used for all the premium pins with the backer cards still attached.

So, in my opinion, you will likely end up employing a mix of boards, bags, and binders.

 

[MercuryChild22]

What about putting cork inside your bags? I saw someone doing it, and they didn't have to deal with pin backings...where could I get some of those?

 

[JohnnyPins]

What about putting cork inside your bags? I saw someone doing it, and they didn't have to deal with pin backings...where could I get some of those?

That's how i have my traders. i bought cork at WalMart and just cut to whatever size i needed. Also Michael's arts and crafts store has different kinds of cork sheets also. WalMart and Michaels sell them in packs of 4 cork sheets.

 

[Lamorak]

You can probably find cork sheets at a craft store. Some people also use coroplast, which is basically plastic cardboard. You should be able to find that at sign shops or home improvement stores.

You may want to keep in mind that the convenience of no pin backs can also make it inadvertently convenient for dishonest people too. I wouldn't recommend putting rare or hard to find pins in a book without pin backs, unless you watch that book like a hawk.