I need to frame a large photograph for an exhibition/possible sale and I don't know how to make it archival, besides cutting an acid-free mat (I own a mat cutter). Should I mount the photo or tape it to the mat with an archival tape? I'd appreciate any help-thanks!
beginner framer
- Thread starter artista
- Start date
Framerguy
PFG, Picture Framing God
You didn't supply very much information on the photo. How large, what type of paper, digital or chemical printed, and are you simply wanting some information on just this one piece or are you seriously trying to start a framing business??
The reason I asked the last question is twofold. If you want to frame this one photo for a show and are not interested in all the whys and wherefores of custom framing things like old guns, kid's crayon drawings, shadowboxes with false teeth and old photos, then I would advise you to take the piece to a custom framer and have the job done correctly.
If you want to learn the framing business, I probably would recommend the same solution for this piece. There is much much more to learning to frame than a few questions and answers on the Grumble. And, since you didn't indicate any framing background in your "freelance artist" profile, I would suggest that you take some classes, read all that you can get your hands on about framing, ask questions here and on any other forums that you find, and prepare yourself to enter a business of much precision, frustration, elation, and satisfaction! There are professional framers who have been in business for many years who still don't know the basics of preservation framing. It isn't that easy to learn overnight.
I don't mean to be snobbish or to run you off, I want you to take a realistic look at what you are asking of us. Just to completely explain the entire process for "archivally framing" your photograph with all the framing terms that are used would take a very large post and probably become so confusing that you wouldn't get all the information you needed to do the job to standards. If you have some framing background or have worked for a framer in the past, then it may be easier to relate to the process. But, I have seen and spoken to a few "laypeople" who wanted to frame their belongings and the bottom line usually was they didn't want to spend the money to have it framed correctly.
I hope you take this post in the air of sincerity that I meant it to be. There is a mountain of help on the Grumble to help you with various steps in the mounting and matting process. But you really should have some idea of what you are doing before you step up and attempt to frame something for a showing that may be eventually sold as an "archivally framed photograph". Unless, it is done to the standards that it was advertised as being done, it may come back later on to give you grief.
Framerguy
The reason I asked the last question is twofold. If you want to frame this one photo for a show and are not interested in all the whys and wherefores of custom framing things like old guns, kid's crayon drawings, shadowboxes with false teeth and old photos, then I would advise you to take the piece to a custom framer and have the job done correctly.
If you want to learn the framing business, I probably would recommend the same solution for this piece. There is much much more to learning to frame than a few questions and answers on the Grumble. And, since you didn't indicate any framing background in your "freelance artist" profile, I would suggest that you take some classes, read all that you can get your hands on about framing, ask questions here and on any other forums that you find, and prepare yourself to enter a business of much precision, frustration, elation, and satisfaction! There are professional framers who have been in business for many years who still don't know the basics of preservation framing. It isn't that easy to learn overnight.
I don't mean to be snobbish or to run you off, I want you to take a realistic look at what you are asking of us. Just to completely explain the entire process for "archivally framing" your photograph with all the framing terms that are used would take a very large post and probably become so confusing that you wouldn't get all the information you needed to do the job to standards. If you have some framing background or have worked for a framer in the past, then it may be easier to relate to the process. But, I have seen and spoken to a few "laypeople" who wanted to frame their belongings and the bottom line usually was they didn't want to spend the money to have it framed correctly.
I hope you take this post in the air of sincerity that I meant it to be. There is a mountain of help on the Grumble to help you with various steps in the mounting and matting process. But you really should have some idea of what you are doing before you step up and attempt to frame something for a showing that may be eventually sold as an "archivally framed photograph". Unless, it is done to the standards that it was advertised as being done, it may come back later on to give you grief.
Framerguy
Marc Lizer
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
What is the size?
Do you want metal or wood. What does the gallery require?
Do you need glass or acrylic? The gallery may have very specific requirements on this, as well as the picture size may dictate if you need acrylic.
What is your value on the piece unframed. And what is your projected sale value framed?
What is your framing experience or level of competency? If not/none, what is your level of mechanical skill?
Do you have a budget?
Do you want metal or wood. What does the gallery require?
Do you need glass or acrylic? The gallery may have very specific requirements on this, as well as the picture size may dictate if you need acrylic.
What is your value on the piece unframed. And what is your projected sale value framed?
What is your framing experience or level of competency? If not/none, what is your level of mechanical skill?
Do you have a budget?
Sorry if I offended you by my vague question, but I am serious about getting started in framing my own artwork for sale.
I am a recent art school graduate who majored in illustration, but during school never got the chance to learn about framing. Now I'm playing catch-up while starting out in the freelance world. I don't intend on starting a framing business (at least not in the near future) but I do need to learn the process.
I worked for a framer for about a day -that was all I could stand, as his entire studio was without ventilation, covered in 2 inches of sawdust, and let's say his manner with his employees was less than professional.
So from that one day I did frame 3 photographs and learn the basics (i.e. piecing together the frame & filling the imperfections, cutting/cleaning the glass/securing the mounted (on foamcore) piece into the frame/adhering a paper back/inserting hooks/attaching hanging wire) but I wanted to know if mounting the piece directly to foamcore is the best way to do things. I wasn't sure if I should follow this framer's process or not and wanted to hear the basic process from some professionals.
The photo is 11x16 chemically printed on glossy, color AGFA paper (I had the enlargement done at a photo shop).
I am a recent art school graduate who majored in illustration, but during school never got the chance to learn about framing. Now I'm playing catch-up while starting out in the freelance world. I don't intend on starting a framing business (at least not in the near future) but I do need to learn the process.
I worked for a framer for about a day -that was all I could stand, as his entire studio was without ventilation, covered in 2 inches of sawdust, and let's say his manner with his employees was less than professional.
So from that one day I did frame 3 photographs and learn the basics (i.e. piecing together the frame & filling the imperfections, cutting/cleaning the glass/securing the mounted (on foamcore) piece into the frame/adhering a paper back/inserting hooks/attaching hanging wire) but I wanted to know if mounting the piece directly to foamcore is the best way to do things. I wasn't sure if I should follow this framer's process or not and wanted to hear the basic process from some professionals.
The photo is 11x16 chemically printed on glossy, color AGFA paper (I had the enlargement done at a photo shop).
I plan on delivering it to the gallery myself, so glass is acceptable.
I haven't priced the photo yet, as I just found out about the call for entries to this competition today.
My budget is not extravagant, any ways to frame in a money-efficient, yet professional way would be helpful.
I haven't priced the photo yet, as I just found out about the call for entries to this competition today.
My budget is not extravagant, any ways to frame in a money-efficient, yet professional way would be helpful.
stud d
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Ok I will offer a little help if I may. I assume you are overmatting the image, so this is my help with that.
The easiest thing to do is use archival corners, you can get these from Michaels or an art supply store. You should usea 4ply acid free matboard hinged to another sheet of 4ply acidfre board. This helps make it sturdy. Then a backing board of acid-free foam core or coroplast. You hinge the two mats together with acid free linen tape. Use four corners to support the photo.
The frame you said you know how to do. So my last suggestion is to have someone else do it correctly. I say this for your sake. If you do not have the correct tools, tape, corners, matboard, foam core, and possibly vise, you are in for trouble. You are probably working on a deadline, don't give yourself this headache. Buying the supplies from a retail place to do it yourself won't save money. You could save maybe ten or fifteen dollars if you are lucky.
Now the person you worked for was not a framer. If it was a framer, it sounds like they don't have it together. So go to a frame shop and barter with them. You want to learn framing, you already know design and illistration stuff. Use your gift to learn more. Many folks would be happy to have someone for a day or two that each person would benefit.
Best of luck.
d
The easiest thing to do is use archival corners, you can get these from Michaels or an art supply store. You should usea 4ply acid free matboard hinged to another sheet of 4ply acidfre board. This helps make it sturdy. Then a backing board of acid-free foam core or coroplast. You hinge the two mats together with acid free linen tape. Use four corners to support the photo.
The frame you said you know how to do. So my last suggestion is to have someone else do it correctly. I say this for your sake. If you do not have the correct tools, tape, corners, matboard, foam core, and possibly vise, you are in for trouble. You are probably working on a deadline, don't give yourself this headache. Buying the supplies from a retail place to do it yourself won't save money. You could save maybe ten or fifteen dollars if you are lucky.
Now the person you worked for was not a framer. If it was a framer, it sounds like they don't have it together. So go to a frame shop and barter with them. You want to learn framing, you already know design and illistration stuff. Use your gift to learn more. Many folks would be happy to have someone for a day or two that each person would benefit.
Best of luck.
d
Framerguy
PFG, Picture Framing God
No offense taken by me, artista. Most of the supplies that are of the quality that you specified by "archival" are usually purchased in larger quantities than you would need for a single framing. I would suggest that the easiest way to mount a glossy in a reversible manner would be to use archival mounting corners which are inert Mylar and could be purchased from the sponser of this forum, United Mfrs. Supplies. you would have to purchase a box of 100 corners though. I don't know if you can purchase these at an art supply store or not.
You could use some type of archival tape since it is your photo and you have the perogative to do what you see fit with the mounting and framing. But generally the taping of an image to the back of the mats is not considered the best way to mount them.
I am surprised that the competition rules allow full framing of the photos. Usually they want either a drymounted bare photo or a matted photo with no frame or glass.
Good luck with your project and good luck in the competition.
Framerguy
You could use some type of archival tape since it is your photo and you have the perogative to do what you see fit with the mounting and framing. But generally the taping of an image to the back of the mats is not considered the best way to mount them.
I am surprised that the competition rules allow full framing of the photos. Usually they want either a drymounted bare photo or a matted photo with no frame or glass.
Good luck with your project and good luck in the competition.
Framerguy
Gerard
True Grumbler
You might try using the search function for "mounting photographs". Get some ideas. Experiment with some things of no value to get a feel of mounting techniques. And then come back with some specific questions and I bet the good folks here will help you out. Also check out some framing books (the library?) Vivian Kistler has a great book on photo mounting.
gemsmom
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2000
- Posts
- 3,576
Taking this one step further, most photographs should be matted and mounted with non-buffered rag board. I mount photos on non-buffered board, the mat against the photo is non-buffered, and if a color is wanted, I use a color for the top mat. If I don't want the under mat to show, I make it smaller than the top mat by just a little. If you are serious about learning framing, start a library of framing books. I purchased a volume on framing photography a few years ago and found it very helpful. I periodically add to my library, even though I have doing this for 25 years.
Non-buffered boards have their purpose, and only Crescent has any kind of selection to speak of, which isn't much. Not all distributors carry them, either. I order mine from Larson.
Non-buffered boards have their purpose, and only Crescent has any kind of selection to speak of, which isn't much. Not all distributors carry them, either. I order mine from Larson.