Collectible Poster Dilemma

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Shayla

Shayla

WOW Framer
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Because this is collectible, we're matting/framing without any permanent attachments to the art (i.e. hinges). The customer also wants to be able to remove it, to send off for more signatures and authentication. It's only 24 x 36, but the paper is so fragile, that I'm wondering how to best support. I like showing as much space as possible, at top, and paper edge strips, or plastic mounting corners, would both require covering too much space. Plastic edge strips would be sturdier, but I'd have to destroy them to get it back out. And with any of these methods, the piece is still so thin it would sag in front.

Then, there's mylar encapsulation. I've encapsulated small things, but never one so large. Have you? I can sort of imagine doing that. And direct contact overlay might have been an option, but the signatures rule it out. Even with encapsulation, there's a bit of freedom, but dco would press so hard, they could stick. What say?

framing halloween poster pesadilla resize.webp
 
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Shayla said:
Because this is collectible, we're matting/framing without any permanent attachments to the art (i.e. hinges). The customer also wants to be able to remove it, to send off for more signatures and authentication. It's only 24 x 36, but the paper is so fragile, that I'm wondering how to best support. I like showing as much space as possible, at top, and paper edge strips, or plastic mounting corners, would both require covering too much space. Plastic edge strips would be sturdier, but I'd have to destroy them to get it back out. And with any of these methods, the piece is still so thin it would sag in front.

Then, there's mylar encapsulation. I've encapsulated small things, but never one so large. Have you? I can sort of imagine doing that. And direct contact overlay might have been an option, but the signatures rule it out. Even with encapsulation, there's a bit of freedom, but dco would press so hard, they could stick. What say?

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How about suggesting to the customer that you frame a decent copy (pigment-ink) of his latest signatured & authenticated collectible-poster while he continues to further signature-&-authenticate the original poster --- including of course that the framed copy would be reprinted & partly-reframed when necessary to show the latest signatures, etc (naturally at additional cost for the ongoing supplemental reframings when said reprints would be available)? That way, you avoid all the problems you mentioned regarding framing the original whilst the customer continues gallivanting around with the original poster. (Note: Many expensive artworks are duplicated for public presentation whilst the original piece is oft kept secured out of public sight.)
 
glamorsidhe said:
How about suggesting to the customer that you frame a decent copy (pigment-ink) of his latest signatured & authenticated collectible-poster while he continues to further signature-&-authenticate the original poster --- including of course that the framed copy would be reprinted & partly-reframed when necessary to show the latest signatures, etc (naturally at additional cost for the ongoing supplemental reframings when said reprints would be available)? That way, you avoid all the problems you mentioned regarding framing the original whilst the customer continues gallivanting around with the original poster. (Note: Many expensive artworks are duplicated for public presentation whilst the original piece is oft kept secured out of public sight.)
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We only do this when art isn't under copyright.
 
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They do make 24x36 Mylar sleeves. Most places sell them in qty 10, but you can find them in smaller quantities. Google "24x36 Mylar Sleeves' for all you can eat. A sleeve and a rag mat for a backing is all you need. No need to over complicate this.
 
auntiesarahjayne said:
though sliding a signed poster in and out of the sleeve will eventually scratch the signatures as well as the surface of the poster.
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Once in, never out. Sleeves are made for long term archival storage, I have things that haven't been out of their sleeves for decades.
 
Larry Peterson said:
They do make 24x36 Mylar sleeves. Most places sell them in qty 10, but you can find them in smaller quantities. Google "24x36 Mylar Sleeves' for all you can eat. A sleeve and a rag mat for a backing is all you need. No need to over complicate this.
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We use Crystal Clear archival sleeves for our print bin, but they're very thin. When searching as you suggested, I see that mylar sleeves like that come up to 5 mil thick. For large sleeve storage, do you use a certain thickness?
 
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Shayla said:
We use Crystal Clear archival sleeves for our print bin, but they're very thin. When searching as you suggested, I see that mylar sleeves like that come up to 5 mm thick. For large sleeve storage, do you use a certain thickness?
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4 mil
2 mil are too thin
 
n an example, the playboy shown below was framed with a 4 mil sleeve over 20 years ago and been in my shop since. The autograph was most likely signed using a dreaded sharpie but has never shown any sign of rubbing off on the Mylar

m209C.jpg
 
We just paid to have a custom die made so we could get 500 5ml custom-sized sleeves for a project.
 
cvm said:
We just paid to have a custom die made so we could get 500 5ml custom-sized sleeves for a project.
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I hope it's for 'Benny & Joon' posters.
 
Seriously, if this poster is fragile, rare, valuable etc........is it a smart idea for a customer to want to take it out, post it away for additional signatures etc then put it back in the frame?

Handling artwork like this is tricky enough for an experienced framer working in a properly equipped workshop. An unskilled customer would have a good chance of damaging the artwork or, at best, getting a load of grot into the frame while attempting to close it up.
 
artfolio said:
"getting a load of grot into the frame while attempting to close it up."
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I like the "getting a load of grot" reference..:thumbsup:
That and "flumbs"...:D
 
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If it HAS to be taken in/out for signatures, would it be possible to use a piece of mylar folded around it so when it's time to sign, the mylar and poster come out, and then the mylar unfolded (leaving the poster flat), opening it up like a page of a book for the signature?
 
Shayla said:
we only do this when art isn't under copyright.
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99 % that only applies to distribution or resell
we recommended on any document of value to get a fine quality copy for framing and store original, though hardly anyone dit
i do it on my irreplaceable/valuable pieces
i have a great NASA photo signed by original 7 Mercury astronauts; copy on my wall, original hasn't seen daylight in years
no one can tell the difference
 
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