I am a photographer putting my own frames together (I'm closing them). I am relatively new to framing. I'm also doing my own mounting with a 34" Coda cold roll laminator, mounting mostly Platine Rag Epson prints using Drytac MultiTac adhesive. I am trying to apply good conservation practices wherever possible.
I have done some small (5x6 & 10x12") pieces that I mount to black Gatorboard. I then cut them out with a reverse bevel and float them on a black backing board using PVA glue and AF foam core strips to raise the mounted print off of the backing board. Then I put the assembly into a 6x7" or 12x14" frame which has museum glass and 1/2" spacers that I make out of black matte board glued with PVA to AF foam core. The end effect is a print floating in the frame, behind glass, almost like a shadowbox. The print is very close to the glass, but not touching, and I sign and title the print on the backing board, just under the floating print, so the signature is in the background which I find less distracting.
I am wondering if black Artcare foam board would be a good material to make my spacers and backing board from? It would save me some trouble if I didn't have to glue black rag matte board to AF foam board. These pieces do not come into contact with the art work directly, but they are in the same air space inside the frame.
I'm also looking for suggestions for what to mount the prints too. It has to be black, and thick enough that I can cut a reverse bevel into, or thin enough (but rigid) where the edges would mostly disappear. The way I do it now, on Gatorboard with a reverse bevel cut, you really don't see the edges at all, not even the white of the paper. But I don't think Gatorboard is the greatest from a conservation standpoint. I have done some to a black rag 8ply matte board but it's almost $60 a board (wholesale). Maybe the Black Art Care foam board? In reading the description of the Art Care foam board, it says the cells are designed to absorb the off gassing. I wonder if that feature still works when the edges are exposed and enclosed inside the frame as they would be in this use. Another issue I currently have with using gatorboard, or potentially any of these materials, is that the core of the mount material continues to release some dust particles into the frame.
Another thing I'm considering are wood spacers. But I don't know if they are ok for conservation? The Frametek FrameSpace plastic ones but they are hard to use and don't look as nice (mostly because they are glossy). Their econospace are not thick enough (and also glossy).
I am also doing a lot of Oval prints that I am mounting to Crescent's AF3X acid free mount board. I have to be able to cut these mounted prints into an oval by hand. I am having trouble getting this board from my supplier right now. I also have used a white rag matte board but that's $40. I don't really need matte board, I'd love to use a Mount board, but I'd like it to be firm and thick, like a 6 or 8 ply.
I'd love to hear any thoughts on wood spacers, Black ArtCare foam board (which is not as easy to come by as white), mount board alternatives, or any other part of my process. Please be kind, I am well aware I have stepped into a world I know little about.
I have done some small (5x6 & 10x12") pieces that I mount to black Gatorboard. I then cut them out with a reverse bevel and float them on a black backing board using PVA glue and AF foam core strips to raise the mounted print off of the backing board. Then I put the assembly into a 6x7" or 12x14" frame which has museum glass and 1/2" spacers that I make out of black matte board glued with PVA to AF foam core. The end effect is a print floating in the frame, behind glass, almost like a shadowbox. The print is very close to the glass, but not touching, and I sign and title the print on the backing board, just under the floating print, so the signature is in the background which I find less distracting.
I am wondering if black Artcare foam board would be a good material to make my spacers and backing board from? It would save me some trouble if I didn't have to glue black rag matte board to AF foam board. These pieces do not come into contact with the art work directly, but they are in the same air space inside the frame.
I'm also looking for suggestions for what to mount the prints too. It has to be black, and thick enough that I can cut a reverse bevel into, or thin enough (but rigid) where the edges would mostly disappear. The way I do it now, on Gatorboard with a reverse bevel cut, you really don't see the edges at all, not even the white of the paper. But I don't think Gatorboard is the greatest from a conservation standpoint. I have done some to a black rag 8ply matte board but it's almost $60 a board (wholesale). Maybe the Black Art Care foam board? In reading the description of the Art Care foam board, it says the cells are designed to absorb the off gassing. I wonder if that feature still works when the edges are exposed and enclosed inside the frame as they would be in this use. Another issue I currently have with using gatorboard, or potentially any of these materials, is that the core of the mount material continues to release some dust particles into the frame.
Another thing I'm considering are wood spacers. But I don't know if they are ok for conservation? The Frametek FrameSpace plastic ones but they are hard to use and don't look as nice (mostly because they are glossy). Their econospace are not thick enough (and also glossy).
I am also doing a lot of Oval prints that I am mounting to Crescent's AF3X acid free mount board. I have to be able to cut these mounted prints into an oval by hand. I am having trouble getting this board from my supplier right now. I also have used a white rag matte board but that's $40. I don't really need matte board, I'd love to use a Mount board, but I'd like it to be firm and thick, like a 6 or 8 ply.
I'd love to hear any thoughts on wood spacers, Black ArtCare foam board (which is not as easy to come by as white), mount board alternatives, or any other part of my process. Please be kind, I am well aware I have stepped into a world I know little about.
Rick