Backing papers

RoboFramer

PFG, Picture Framing God
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I have decided to give the covering of frame backs a go. If any framers do it over here, they are few and far between, that's one reason I am trying it.

Big craft trade show this weekend, the biggest in UK at the National Exhibition Centre. Needlework, rubber stamping, scrapbooking etc etc.

There will be plenty of suppliers specialising in paper, by the roll, by the sheet.

What should I look for?

What, if it doesn't already exist, would be your dream backing paper, and how thick? If you could have it made to order, what would you specify?

I'll let you know what I found on Monday or Tuesday.
 
I'd look for anything in the 40# to 50# range of thickness, plain, colored, printed, there isn't any rules for backing paper.

You could be the first Brit framer to make a fashion statement with your backing paper!!
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I use the Lineco blue grey paper because I like the look and polished smooth finish of the paper. Plus it is a good thick paper that won't easily puncture and it's non-acidic.

I also use 40# black kraft paper when I deem it to be necessary.

Framerguy
 
Maybe you could find some Thomas Kincaide designer paper...


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Dave Makielski
 
I use the Black Kraft for most projects. THe Blue Lineco when I want "less acid" because they are paying me for Optimum protection.

I have been trying to get some Black Tyvek. Non-acidic, Nice look, and puncture resistant. So far the only source includes a hefty shipping fee I can't quite swallow. Been pressuring my local suppliers including LJ to carry it, but so far no go.

P.S. if all of you asked LJ for it maybe I could get it! ;) Ask them for Coroplast while you're at it!
 
Originally posted by Dave:
Maybe you could find some Thomas Kincaide designer paper...


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Dave Makielski
But Dave those perforated single ply rolls are too thin! At least I haven't seen TP in 36" widths, and I know I don't want to meet the person that uses it!
 
P.S. if all of you asked LJ for it maybe I could get it! ;) Ask them for Coroplast while you're at it!
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I've been asking for the archival polyflute for ages. They've offered to special order the 48x96 Bainbridge Artcare foamboard, but haven't moved on the polyflute.
I have white Tyvek, but have been having ongoing problems getting it to stay adhered to the frame.

John, if you decide to get the black craft paper, make sure the dye doesn't rub off on your hands while applying. There are some brands on the marked that will make your fingers very dirty.
 
On a serious note I use the 40# black kraft. better looking than the brown. But the blue lineco is definitely a better product, being that it is acid free.

Noone yet has mentioned using Tyvak, why not? Tear resistant, and it breathes letting out the humidity which is probably a big factor, I unknowingly posit, in the UK.
 
A good start would be 40lb black kraft
YES--black & atleast 40#.....only problem is the #50 stuff they are selling TODAY, is only about #20 weight!!!!! I have 4 suppliers I get it from(depending on time frame & inclination)and I get badder or worser. I have a piece that came back from 2 years ago....WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! LOL if your guys can get something whit a little body to it.... compare the weights of black with the brown & get it as close to the brown as you can
 
Originally posted by Bob Doyle:


Noone yet has mentioned using Tyvak, why not? Tear resistant, and it breathes letting out the humidity which is probably a big factor, I unknowingly posit, in the UK.
Expensive! Very Expensive!!

I love the look of the black kraft paper - but hate the clean up properties that it leaves behind on the rubber cement pick up that I use to get the edges with the atg tape.

I have found that the 40# kraft is not what it used to be...

I happen to sell retail packaging on the side and toy with the idea of using a lovely patterned gift wrap - but most are not heavy enough. Would be a real statement!!
 
Oh yeah there's that Roz!

How come at Home Depot Tyvek is under $40 a roll and for framing it is around $150?

If the tyvek at HD was not printed on I would buy it in a heartbeat! But then how do you get it to adequately adhere?
 
To summarise,

Thank you for all your suggestions on what must seem like a real rookie question.

Dermot emailed me too
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and has given me a UK website for Tyvek, the smallest roll - which is about 5 x 750 ft - works out at around twenty three cents a square foot. Cheaper per sq ft for bigger rolls. That sounds pretty reasonable to me, can probably find cheaper suppliers too, and as Dermot said, very few, if any framers in UK use it.

So I think that will be my basic, but will still look out for interesting papers at the weekend.

Wouldn't it be great if I can find a decent weight Kinkade printed paper. Just so's we can let him know we are using it to protect proper stuff! :D

Thanks again.
 
Just an update. At the trade show I found plenty of interesting papers, but none on rolls or big enough sheets. The show was 'Craft Hobby & Stitch'

I did however find a supplier selling A4 (11 3/4" x 8 1/4") sheets of Tyvec in packs of 5 to retail at £3:50. This represents an 8x mark up on the cost of the rolls I sourced via Dermot.

It is used in card-making, you paint on it then apply a heat gun and it cockles and buckles to make 'flowers' etc.

So, when I take it on I can flog it on the 'other' side of the shop too!
 
Fifteen years ago I loved the way black kraft paper looked on the back of my pictures, stickers looked great against it, then I took a few down from my walls at home before I repainted. I had 3 pieces hanging on a north wall, surprise... some of the black dye from the paper had come off on the wall, haven't used it since. Back to natural.
 
Originally posted by RoboFramer:
Wouldn't it be great if I can find a decent weight Kinkade printed paper. Just so's we can let him know we are using it to protect proper stuff! :D
Perhaps you could just buy an entire "limited edition" of one of his prints. That should keep you in backing for a lifetime.
 
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