Acid Free backing for large movie poster

Larry Peterson

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Resource Provider
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Posts
11,545
Loc
Wilkes-Barre, PA
I have a customer that wants to frame 3 large (45w x 62h) old movie posters. He would like to use a Nielsen 15 metal frame, UV Acrylic, no mats and acid-free backing boards. I have two questions.

First is the long term effect on the poster placed directly against UV Acrylic. I wouldn't do this against glass, but am unsure about doing this against Acrylic.

The second is on the backing. As far as I can determine, Mighty Core and gatorboard are not acid-free so I don't plan to use them. I am unsure if 2 3/6" sheets of acid-free foamboard glued together will provide enough support, expecially considering that UV Acrylic is not very rigid.

If needed, I will also use Frame Strap or Frame Tite for support against bowing and will use wall buddies for hanging.
 
Larry, my understanding is that, because of the difference in the thermal properties, it is safer to put acrylic smack up against the art than glass. Not safe, but safer.

I don't recall if you can actually buy acid-free fomecore bigger than 40x60. Somehow I doubt it.

A piece, or two, of Coroplast/polyflute would make an excellent, low cost, inert filler behind whatever backing you use - even if it's oversize 4-ply rag.

And, yes, definately some strapping behind a Nielsen 15 that big, or it'll pop off the acrylic for sure.
 
Plexi has a different thermal conductivity than glass, so you're not so likely to get condensation if it's directly against the print, but ink and paper can still stick to Plexi. The inks are most likely oil based, so they'll continue to oxidize so you can get ghosting/etching on the Plexi too. I think it's much better with a spacer.

You might consider using Tycore as a backboard - a rag honeycomb that is light and very rigid. Alternately, you could face a cross braced strainer with 4ply for rigidity.

I have no idea though if these systems (spacer, Tycore or faced strainer)will fit in the metal frame you want to use.

Rebecca
 
Back
Top