Adhesive and method of application for labels?

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photo art

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I'm looking for an archival way to attach labels to the back of mount board. These are labels I have printed on acid-free text that have the artist's name, artwork title, date, archival info, etc. and are about 3" x 4".

I have used dry mount tissue and that works well but I'm looking for something less time consuming. PVA glue might be a good choice but I'm not familiar with methods to efficiently and cleanly apply it to the label. I've considered the Solo Glue Riter but I don't know that it's well suited for covering a relatively large area of about 3" x 4".

Spray contact adhesive is messy and fumey and having some positioning time with something like PVA is a big plus.

Opinions appreciated!

Jay
 
Buffered PVA from Lineco with just a drop on each corner.
 
wpfay said:
Buffered PVA from Lineco with just a drop on each corner.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Wally. That's the product I have. I'm concerned about a drop in each corner not being enough to prevent the label from tearing if an edge is snagged. Whatever adhesive I use I would want it to be applied all the way to all edges - even if the label didn't tear, I would want to keep the edges from getting dinged and creased.
 
A couple of strips to the back to hold it in place and then wide, clear tape over the whole thing.
 
photo art said:
I'm looking for an archival way to attach labels to the back of mount board. These are labels I have printed on acid-free text that have the artist's name, artwork title, date, archival info, etc. and are about 3" x 4".
Click to expand...
I'm sorry but I must ask - these labels on the outside of the mounting boards? If they are why do they have to be archival? I just use Avery shipping labels that have adhesive. If it is inside the package then you may want to use archival techniques but if they are inside the package why do you want to install a label, nobody can see them anyway.

There is also Scotch Gold Acid Free ATG tape. That should work for you if you do want to keep it supposedly acid free.
 
Joe B said:
I'm sorry but I must ask - these labels on the outside of the mounting boards? If they are why do they have to be archival? ... If it is inside the package then you may want to use archival techniques but if they are inside the package why do you want to install a label, nobody can see them anyway.
Click to expand...
I want to be able to say the entire package is archival. The labels will be on the back of the mounting board and on the back of the backing board. As to the reason for putting a label inside the package that no one will see - it's in case the print is ever removed from the frame package, the artist's information will still be with the art.

I've never used a glue stick. Are there glue sticks that are acid free and believed to be permanent?

I appreciate everyone's input and help!
 
I think you may be over agonising over the 'archival' thing. If you used an ordinary label and an 'acid-free'
label and came back in 100years, I'm wiling to bet that the difference between the two would be negligible.
In any case the labels would have zero effect on the art whatever they are.
If you really want an inscription that is as permanent as is possible, write it on by hand in Pencil. :)

Remember, the conservation aspects of a job pertain to the item to be framed, not the long-term welfare
of the materials surrounding it.
 
I've seen Jerry's solution in action from Bark Frameworks in NYC. The blank form is stamped on the board, and the information is added in pencil or pigmented pen.
What do you do about the piece being unframed and re-mounted in the future?
Unless the pieces are inherently worthy of ascribing provenance, or are already listed pieces, the multiple documents are a bit of overkill. The owner should have a certificate of authenticity or some such that is kept separate from the framed piece. A single identifying label is all that is needed in the frame.
Auction houses use self stick labels on the back of pieces that pass through, as do high end galleries. They are normally stuck to the support board. If reframing and replacing the support, the labels are individually cut out and fixed to the back of the new support.
For valuable works, I encapsulate all labels and affix to the backing board. Any supporting documents should be treated the same way.
 
photo art said:
.
. PVA glue might be a good choice but I'm not familiar with methods to efficiently and cleanly apply it to the label.
Click to expand...

wpfay said:
Buffered PVA from Lineco with just a drop on each corner.
Click to expand...
photo art said:
Thank you, Wally. That's the product I have. I'm concerned about a drop in each corner not being enough to prevent the label from tearing if an edge is snagged. Whatever adhesive I use I would want it to be applied all the way to all edges - even if the label didn't tear, I would want to keep the edges from getting dinged and creased.
Click to expand...
PVA Glue, practice makes perfect.
 
A little tale of woe......

I had a nice print to frame one day. On the back was stuck a label with the words: "This label is Acid-Free" on it.
It may well have been, but it was stuck behind the image area and made a bump visible on the front.
What's wrong with this picture?

🤨
 
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