Backing Paper Survey

What types of backing paper do you use in your shop? (multiple OK)

  • Black Kraft

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Blue Kraft

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Tyvek

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Decorative special papers

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • OTHER TYPE NOT LISTED

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    100

Mike Labbe

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This monthly poll only has one question, and is anonymous. Your participation is appreciated. One does not have to vote to view the results.

Discussion welcomed!

What type of dust cover(s) do you generally use in your shop? (multiple types OK)

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I always used black until a fairly recent discussion on the "G". Since then I switched to the buffered paper. I really like the look of the black, but the blue buffered is better for the package. It makes me think about the shop stickers. Now I am considering using a rubber stamp instead.
 
If anybody uses newspaper I want to know who!!!

I have to say that I had never thought of backing paper until that discussion! I now have half a row of kraft paper that I'm not sure how I'm going to waste. I use the blue reduced acid (I will never say acid free again) paper. I like it.
 
It makes me think about the shop stickers.
So what do you think about the shop sticker, Flintstone? Are you concerned that they might compromise the package?

I think few would argue that acids from standard kraft paper are likely to directly damage the art, but that regular kraft gets brittle and self-destructs. The Lineco paper will hold up better and longer so it can do its job. After all, how many people really bring in the frame every few years for inspection?

The worst thing I've seen happen with shop stickers is I had a brand at one time that fell off after a few months.
 
we use primarily the reg natural kraft paper but we have the blue (a/f?) stuff on hand for special occasions---hehe ;)
 
Was in a shop the other day, and they were using the papers out of the glass cases. I didn't say anything, but was thinking that I hadn't seen that stinker since 1972 when most were still backing with corrigated and some were cutting up boxes from Sears/Safeway/etc.... We still find the occational random box side. A few years ago, I unfit a "fine" art print of the crucifiction... backed with the side of a case of Tampax.... to boot, the framers sticker was from Lordburg, TN.
Funny thing though, the sticker hadn't caused any acid burn that we could see....
For things that don't matter, Kraft brown
For things that can be seen from side, Black
For things with Museum Glass, mat, etc: Tyvek
and for any PPFA competition, I'm using Mayo from now on. It always wins.
 
Originally posted by Baer Charlton, CPF, MPF:
I unfit a "fine" art print of the crucifiction... backed with the side of a case of Tampax.... to boot, the framers sticker was from Lordburg, TN.
Hey, down here in Tennessee, we take seriously the mantra of "reduce, reuse, and recycle"! ;)
faintthud.gif


I'm using Mayo from now on. It always wins.
And for this - we always use K-R-A-F-T Kraft Mayo - ummm, with that lemony taste!
thumbsup.gif


Betty
 
But, seriously folks...

What about "And what kind of "stick-um" do you use?"
ATG
ATG gold
White glue (Elmer's etc)
Neutral PH Adhesive (looks like white glue to me.)

Seems I'm either rolling "tape boogers" off the frame or peeling glue off my fingers...

Betty
 
Blue paper/ATG gold on most everything.

Black paper/reg ATG when price is a consideration.

Glue when tape doesn't stick-like on really old frames.

Brown paper-never.

Tyvek on really good art or competition pieces.
 
We use brown paper in the store, but only to wrap finished pieces. We've been using the black for the last two years, and it actually sets us apart from other framers in the immediate area, who still seem to be using the brown for everything.

I use the regular ATG to mount the paper pretty much for everything except really high end jobs, which I use the ATG Gold and the blue paper for. I've never used glue, as I'm sure I would use too little or too much and just generally make a mess of it. For old frames, what I have gotten into doing is to sand off as much of the old glue/paper as I can, that use a light coat of Krylon Matte Spray to seal it (of course, taking care not to get it anywhere but where I want it). Works like a charm.
 
When I began in the early 70's we used white glue. I used this method, probably until the mid 90's when I saw another framer "zip" the atg on and place paper in the time that it would take me just to put the glue on. Then I changed. I figured that "this is how 'real' framers do it."

Just recently in reading that some "very respectable names" were using the neutral ph white glue, I decided to go back to glue. I think I like it better than atg. It's not as quick, but I like it.

Betty
 
The glue question might be a great idea for a future poll.

Keep the poll ideas coming because I'm running out of em!

Thanks,
Mike

PS: Newspaper and white Kraft were thrown in just to raise some eyebrows and see if you're all paying attention
 
3 thoughts on backing paper:

I visited a shop in the Art district of Seattle that always filled the frame until the last board was flush with the back of the frame. They then ran a nice 3 inch wide pure white tape around with neatly mitered corners. The back was perfectly white and looked terrific.

I was in a frame shop in Sapporo Japan a few years back and they covered the back in fabric. They spent a lot of effort gluing and covering every surface and their frames were complicated being made up of 3 or 4 liners in the frame. The backing fabric was composed of dozens of pieces of fabric covering each edge separately - looked fairly good but a bit overdone. They also used braided fabric, something like a shoelace, instead of wire.

And I would like Ron to tell us more about the label that fell off after a couple of months - could turn this into a promotional letter or coupon and have it arrive on the floor a few months later - saves postage!!
 
John, I took more of a "glass is half-empty" attitude. I thought of it as litter-with-my-name-on-it. I hadn't considered the time-delay-promotional possibilities.

The labels were from a commercial label-maker and simply dried up and blew away. Luckily, I only bought a five-year supply.
 
Andrew - I have found an easy way to remove the ancient, crumbling and thickly stuck backing paper on old frames. I simply take a wet sponge and wipe down the back of the frame several times, making sure to moisten every square inch. Then all I do is let this sit for ten minutes or so.

The old hide glue used way back then is very willing to reliquify and when the timing is right, you can easily scrape right down to the wood with a plastic spatula.

Needless to say, be very careful to keep any moisture from reaching the front or sides of the frame.

This is the main reason I have never used ATG to fasten backing paper. It is simply a bear to remove! The white glue I use is as water-soluable as the old glues.

Not to mention the fact that when coompared to white glue, ATG costs an arm and a leg!

The secret to applying white glue is a proper dispenser with the correct size opening. I recently found a great Elmer's bottle which has a narrow slot to dispense the glue. I fill this bottle with my own glue from United.

If the glue goes on too thickly, just take your finger and smoothe it out. I used to work with a gal who glued her backing paper with a small paint roller (all plastic, so she could keep it from drying out) then she IRONED the paper around the edges. Worked for her.
 
This poll is now closed. Thanks to all participants.

Results of what backing paper grumblers use:

56% Black Kraft
45% Brown Kraft
36% Blue Buffered or Lineco
11% Tyvek
6% Tape
5% Decorative papers
2% Blue Kraft
2% OTHER TYPE NOT LISTED
2% NONE - DOES NOT APPLY
 
I'd like to know who the other Grumbler is that's using blue kraft (not Lineco - kraft.) It had better not be that guy on the north end of Appleton!

I'm almost out of blue. I'm thinking about switching to maroon.

BTW, I do use the Lineco for certain packages so I can tell at a glance that it's something special.
 
Originally posted by Ron Eggers:
I'd like to know who the other Grumbler is that's using blue kraft (not Lineco - kraft.) It had better not be that guy on the north end of Appleton!.....
Sorry Ron......Not us! Must be someone else.

We'll let you continue to keep the colored paper as your "signature" mark. We use black.


John
 
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