Marking repro ribbons

[ButtercreamDream]

Do you guys mark new ribbons for ponies in some way to distinguish them from the original ones?  I've found some really close replacement princess ribbon, but I'd like to mark it in some way that can't be seen on display so they don't get mixed up with the real ones.  Just wondering if anyone else does this, and if there's a standard.

[FarDreamer]

I don't have an answer for how you'd identify them, but would you mind sharing the brand and where you found them?  I'd love to make some replacement pony ribbons. 

[Stormness_1]

maybe cutting them a different way? I don't use my genuine ribbons unless they came on the pony.. and then it's marked in my collection notebook who is wearing an original ribbon. But I do tend to cut replacement ribbons on an angle and anti-fray them, so they're easily distinguishable by looking at the ends.

[brittney_rochelle]

Maybe cut the replacement ribbon at an angle or put a very small notch on one end?

[katrine2309]

I cut them on an angle (more to anti-fray them than anything else). I love ribbons, but strangely I don't have a need to really distinguish my old ribbons with the newer ones - I really don't know which one of my girls are wearing the original ones! 

Yeah, but cutting them in an angle would be my choice! 

[Ivy]

original ribbons were cut at an angle to begin with. Usually replacement ribbons have a different sheen to them then the vintage ribbons. They also tend to be slightly thicker in texture. I can usually tell by look and feel which is a replacement and which is original.

[tulagirl]

Yea I was going to suggest cutting them straight across because if you cut at an angle they will be just like vintage cut.

[RainbowRay]

You could cut the ends in a V shape instead then, still stops fraying but looks different.

[hathorcat]

I think the v cut is the best idea Stops fraying and its not too like vintage.

Like Ivy, I find its usually easy enough to tell the difference between vintage and new - mainly as there is nothing out there which quite replicates the original ribbons. But as not everyone could be as obsessed as me I think marking them with a v cut at one end is a great idea.

[foalpatrol]

I use a lighter to slightly melt the ends of my ribbons to prevent fraying. I would never do this to an original.

[FarDreamer]

I use a lighter to slightly melt the ends of my ribbons to prevent fraying. I would never do this to an original.

Really?  I always do this to my originals, and the ribbons on clothes like Megan's dress.  I'm so paranoid about my accessories.  I can't stand the thought of any original ribbons fraying.  I guess if I ever sell them I'll have to make sure I tell the buyer.  I never even thought of this being something people wouldn't like.  Since I already know what pony items I want with me in the nursing home, I don't think this will be an issue anytime soon!

[ButtercreamDream]

Thanks for the ideas everyone.  I never thought of cutting the ends differently. 

The princess ribbons I've got are really close to the originals, except that the edges are silver instead of gold.   I use them for display as placeholders, and I've got it marked in my Collector's guide book too.  They came from a small fabric and crafting store near my cottage, cut by the yard so I don't know the brand.  I've got pink and white on hand, and I'll pick up more green and whatever else they've got next time I'm there.  I'm a little worried, though, that some that I've given out as extras with trades and sales may have been sold as originals =(  It never even occurred to me that that might happen. 

As for my other ribbons, the first repro ones I ever cut were in the late 90s, and they have actually turned more matte over time.  I can tell by the shades, and it's still enough that I can tell them apart, but I'll be cutting them differently from now on.