Back mats and backing boards

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cwphoto

cwphoto

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Posts
162
Loc
Alaska
Just curious how many framers use both a backing board in addition to a back mat? I was just reading an article by Hugh Phibbs about this that he published back in 08 in PFM. For the ultimate in conservation I'm sure this is best, but in practice I'm wondering how many framers actually add an extra board.

I would say the majority of artwork I see coming into the shop just have the artwork attached to a piece of foam core with no additional backing board. It actually seems rare, unless the piece is much older, to have a separate back mat and backing board. The exception seems to be much larger pieces that benefit from the extra rigidity.

Best,

Troy
 
I always have an extra backing board on the work. I think it's better quality and workmanship. . Also, it helps to "fill the void" between the work and the dust cover - thus no puncture holes
 
We use acid free foam board, unless customer requests rag backing, or we recommend same for apparently valuable work.
 
It is definitely better to use an extra board for larger items. But with regards to smaller items it's very much up to you and the client. Lay out all of the options, pros and cons, and allow them to decide.
 
A 'proper' mat is like the front and back covers of a book. Hinged on one side. The art goes in the middle like the pages. This forms a protective vehicle for the art. It can be viewed and handled without touching the art. Also the window can be flipped back so the the art can be examined in it's entirety. Public galleries generally have huge collections and haven't the room to display everything. So watercolors and drawings are matted like this an stored away in drawers. They can be looked at by academics and wotnot for research purposes and the mat protects them. So the mat+art becomes an entity in itself.
When it comes to framing them it a simple matter to drop them in a frame - which will have a separate backboard which together with the glass will protect the package inside.

Framing cheapo stuff is another matter. Corners can be cut. But for anything irreplaceable the book method is the done thing.
 
For paper based media, I normally add a separate mat (or AFFC) behind the mounting board. Then I fill the rest of the space up with AFFC so the back of the frame is flat.

The exception is when the customer wants the "inexpensive fitting" with no dust cover, or the there is no rabbet space.
 
When we opened in the 80's we hinged to foam board. We quickly realized that our projects look better hinged to archival 4 ply board and backed with the appropriate fc or polyflute. We never went back.
 
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