Searching For edge wrap to finish canvas edges

[LaFontsee]

Hello all,

We have been half-heartedly looking for this for a while without any luck. What I've seen used is some sort of fabric tape that wraps around the outer edge of a stretched canvas to cover the raw edges and/or staples. It's often black. We'd like to use this in floater frames when a painting's edges aren't pretty.

The one time we had a piece come in with this treatment that also had contact info for the artist, I called the guy. He said he used hockey tape (!?!). Now, I have also seen this treatment in museums and on restored paintings. I know that the Guggenheim isn't using hockey tape.

Is there a product designed for this purpose? What is it called? Are there other solutions that would accomplish the same thing without painting the edges?

Thanks in advance for your help.
James

 

[framah]

If you are really going to go this route, try black electrical tape, or black duct tape or black crepe tape. All of these will be black and of a tape type product.

Personally, it looks really ugly and I would never do it, but knock yerself out!

How about painting the edge black?

 

[Bandsaw]

bookbinders tape

 

[Ron L]

Do a search for a wrap with ribbon and mat strips on the G. I found a process with photos showing the thechnique. It works and looks good.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Gaffers tape. Looks like the 70's are back in style.

 

[artfolio]

A really cheap and nasty solution some artists have used is to tack a thin timber lath, stained or painted black around the edges to hide the staples. I suppose it is half a rung above just wrapping it

 

[LaFontsee]

If I wanted cheap and dirty, I'd just use hockey tape or paint. I'm looking for a serious solution like the one Ron posted. (Thanks Ron, I'll give that a try.) I know there is a good way to do this that doesn't involve electrical, gaffer's or hockey tape. Respected museums and conservators aren't using #### materials, and I've seen this from both of these.
Thanks,
James

 

[Ron L]

James,
I just searched the forum and found the thread. Search "ribbon tape edging"

 

[Bob Doyle]

James,

I think bookbinders tape was a serious answer. You could use an appropriate glue with that product.

The one artist I had that used a ribbon around the outer edge (not tape) he secured it with staples, so obviously not the look you are looking for I would seriously think a bookbinders tape with a reversible glue is a step up.

If the artist really wants the gallery wrapped look then the painting should flow over the edge, IMO. But I really can't see "showcasing" the edges of a canvas if the edges aren't worth looking at. A tight float frame (no "breathing space") or a simple cap frame comes to mind when the edges are not painted or are stapled.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Buy some Beva and black polyester film.

 

[Creepshow]

Do a google search for 'cloth book repair tape'. It comes in black. I get mine from Wallacks in Ottawa.

 

[Framehouse Boutique]

We use 2" linen tape. Black or white.

 

[Hired Help]

James,
I just searched the forum and found the thread. Search "ribbon tape edging"

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?7018-Ribbon-Tape-Edging-(Caution-lots-of-pictures)

This is an old post. I've done it a few times and like the results.

Clive.

 

[LaFontsee]

Thanks guys! I knew you'd come through. I guess I didn't make it clear in my second post that I liked the ribbon edge as a possible solution. Thanks again, Ron, for directing me to it. I think that the bookbinders' tape may be what I have been seeing. I think we'll pick some up. I'll have to do some checking to see if we want gummed or not. Any thoughts? In any case, Thanks for the help!
James

 

[Framar]

I have used grosgrain ribbon which comes in a dazzling assortment of widths and Frank's Fabric Adhesive works like a charm to glue it down. Plus grosgrain comes in colors other than black!

PS - at one point in time I hoped Gudy self-adhesive fabric tape would be the answer to my prayers but it turns out the adhesive (as in any non-water activated adhesive) lets go sooner or later.....

 

[spikecatz]

James,

I think bookbinders tape was a serious answer. You could use an appropriate glue with that product.

The one artist I had that used a ribbon around the outer edge (not tape) he secured it with staples, so obviously not the look you are looking for I would seriously think a bookbinders tape with a reversible glue is a step up.

If the artist really wants the gallery wrapped look then the painting should flow over the edge, IMO. But I really can't see "showcasing" the edges of a canvas if the edges aren't worth looking at. A tight float frame (no "breathing space") or a simple cap frame comes to mind when the edges are not painted or are stapled.

Appreciate this. I bought a painting with unfinished edges. Looking for how I might best cover the stapled edge without a frame or painting edges myself. Love the scene, but not unfinished edges.

 

[Shayla]

Appreciate this. I bought a painting with unfinished edges. Looking for how I might best cover the stapled edge without a frame or painting edges myself. Love the scene, but not unfinished edges.

Welcome to the Grumble. spikecatz!

 

[Nikodeumus]

Grumble Elfs:
Is there any way to recover photos from threads of days gone by?
This thread has a great description, but the photos no longer accompany it.

Ribbon Tape Edging (Caution, lots of pictures)

A while ago I tried to post some pictures and a description of how I have used ribbon to wrap the edge of a canvas. Here is a better description I hope 1 Tools and materials needed Stapler, scissors, Mat board strips 1/2" wide, 1.5" wide ribbon, and the canvas 2 Beginning Detail It is...

www.thegrumble.com

I know it's a long shot.
(That thread is old enough to drive and will graduate next year.)

Or....Does anybody currently use the technique described in the post I linked who may be able to share photos?

 

[Rick Granick]

I use ribbon for this purpose. It does not have to be glued. You can start in a bottom corner and affix the end with one staple. Pull the ribbon around the canvas with its edge even with the front edge of the painting. Just overlap your starting point and staple again while giving the ribbon a slight stretch to keep it taut. Trim the excess carefully, and color the staple with a marker. This is totally reversible, looks nice, and is available in practically any color or texture you like.
Rick

 

[Framar]

Grumble Elfs:
Is there any way to recover photos from threads of days gone by?
This thread has a great description, but the photos no longer accompany it.

Ribbon Tape Edging (Caution, lots of pictures)

A while ago I tried to post some pictures and a description of how I have used ribbon to wrap the edge of a canvas. Here is a better description I hope 1 Tools and materials needed Stapler, scissors, Mat board strips 1/2" wide, 1.5" wide ribbon, and the canvas 2 Beginning Detail It is...

www.thegrumble.com

I know it's a long shot.
(That thread is old enough to drive and will graduate next year.)

Only today I was thinking about all the photos lost from the early days when so many Grumblers used Photobucket. May they rest in peace . . .

 

[MunnFrameworks]

We put a 3/8" cap moulding on the edge painted whatever complements the oil

 

[GoodeWorks]

Grumble Elfs:
Is there any way to recover photos from threads of days gone by?
This thread has a great description, but the photos no longer accompany it.

Ribbon Tape Edging (Caution, lots of pictures)

A while ago I tried to post some pictures and a description of how I have used ribbon to wrap the edge of a canvas. Here is a better description I hope 1 Tools and materials needed Stapler, scissors, Mat board strips 1/2" wide, 1.5" wide ribbon, and the canvas 2 Beginning Detail It is...

www.thegrumble.com

I know it's a long shot.
(That thread is old enough to drive and will graduate next year.)

Or....Does anybody currently use the technique described in the post I linked who may be able to share photos?

Found some of the pics that went with the article via the Great & all powerful Google. They are attached. The second one is the money shot for me.

 

[Old One]

Hello all,

We have been half-heartedly looking for this for a while without any luck. What I've seen used is some sort of fabric tape that wraps around the outer edge of a stretched canvas to cover the raw edges and/or staples. It's often black. We'd like to use this in floater frames when a painting's edges aren't pretty.

The one time we had a piece come in with this treatment that also had contact info for the artist, I called the guy. He said he used hockey tape (!?!). Now, I have also seen this treatment in museums and on restored paintings. I know that the Guggenheim isn't using hockey tape.

Is there a product designed for this purpose? What is it called? Are there other solutions that would accomplish the same thing without painting the edges?

Thanks in advance for your help.
James

Gaffers tape is pH neutral. It is available through United Manufacturers' Supplies -2 inch wide x 55 yard rolls at $31.49, and is most commonly used for this purpose.

 

[Rick Granick]

I don't know about its pH, but I would be concerned about gaffer's tape leaving residue were it to be removed. It is not really a framing product. It is designed for temporarily holding cables and things in place on a movie set.
Rick