Glass Sandwich

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karlokerz

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I'm displaying a few two-sided pieces sandwiched between two pieces of glass with no mat (2" margin around art). I realize this is not archival in any way, but its what the artist wants for their show. The finished pieces will hang from the ceiling so both sides will be visible.

I'll fabricate the moulding myself so the logistics of how it all fits together is nailed down. My problem is I cant figure out how to adhere the art to the glass to keep it from shifting around and so the adhesive isn't seen. Any suggestions guys?

Ps. They're color photos, digitally printed. Maybe spray mount?
 
We use ATG double-sided tape, but that could be an issue if you have a photo that is going to be displayed out each side of the glass?
In that case, you could use 3 pieces of glass instead, and use the ATG on the back of each photo to stick it to a center piece of glass. It will certainly add weight to your package though.
 
Make sure your client understand that the piece will probably become unmounted and slip. I dislike these projects very much and tell clients the hazards of them as a disclaimer.
 
JWB9999999 said:
We use ATG double-sided tape, but that could be an issue if you have a photo that is going to be displayed out each side of the glass?
In that case, you could use 3 pieces of glass instead, and use the ATG on the back of each photo to stick it to a center piece of glass. It will certainly add weight to your package though.
Click to expand...

I love this idea. Thanks.
 
I really shy away from ever putting ATG tape onto a piece
of art. Even on the back. I do use it to stick the mat down
to the backing on most jobs, but wouldn't ever let it touch
the art. Seems to me that it would eventually cause discoloring
of the piece. And if it's ever in a hot car, or hot sunlight, the
ATG could melt and give way. You really don't want it as
your primary source of positioning for the art.

A few people on here have talked about using 'microdots'
of conservation adhesive to hold art in place. Things like
Japanese papercuts and the like. Maybe they'll have some
helpful ideas.

Right now, I'm getting ready to frame a paper towel
that's over thirty years old. A local company has grown
from itty bitty to international in that time, and this
paper towel is where the owner scribbled out his ideas
for their first successful product.

It's so fragile and absorbent that we don't want to
mount it. I usually keep all glazing off of the work,
but in this case, am thinking of using acrylic glazing
and using it to press the towel flat. I don't know if it
would still want to shift, but it's small enough that it
shouldn't. It's going to be in an office and away from
sunlight or temperature fluctuations. It's only about
ten inches square, and I'm wondering if I can just
sandwich it tightly between the acrylic and backing mat,
or if I need to attach it with something on the back.
She'd rather take a chance having it slip than have me
stick it down. .
 
I agree with Shayla in that I would be hesitant before applying ATG tape to an artist's work, because its not acid-free, it discolors, and it cannot be easily removed. For the same reasons, I would be cautious using a spray adhesive. Why not try using clear/black photo corners to hold the photos in place. This is generally the method my clients prefer when I explain the pros and cons of different methods for holding art in place when sandwiched between glass. The other thing about this method is that if the glass happens to break while installing or at some other point, the artwork has a greater chance of survival because it is not directly adhered to multiple shards of glass.

Good luck with you project!
 
I had a customer once who wanted her snapshots adhered to the underside of her glass table-top. I used the clear photo corners, rubbed them down really well and mounted the photos upside down under the glass - it worked beautifully and she was thrilled. The adhesive part of the corners was barely visible - it would work well in this situation also (only right side up, not upside down).
 
shayla said:
Right now, I'm getting ready to frame a paper towel
that's over thirty years old. A local company has grown
from itty bitty to international in that time, and this
paper towel is where the owner scribbled out his ideas
for their first successful product.
Click to expand...

Shayla,

I know you're a goddess and all that :)... but have you considered Melinex encapsulation for this project? That would have been one of my first reactions...
 
I'm smiling at your comment, Jim.
I'm only a goddess because I've talked
so much on here, not because I'm any
kind of expert. I'm just like most people
on here, trying to learn and improve as
I go along. :)

Both of you are smart to suggest the encapsulation idea.
There's writing all the way to the edges of the towel,
and she wants it floated, but that idea is definitely worth
thinking about. Plus, we got in our rolls of Pat's new products
and are so excited about using them. I'll think about how
it could work with this.
 
Blackcat said:
I agree with Shayla in that I would be hesitant before applying ATG tape to an artist's work, because its not acid-free, it discolors, and it cannot be easily removed.
Click to expand...

There is an acid-free ATG tape (I forget the number offhand) that is easily removed. But we use it for things like this.
 
I'm thinking that one good sneeze into the paper towel and that baby should stick nicely!!:shutup:
 
shayla said:
...Right now, I'm getting ready to frame a paper towel that's over thirty years old...It's so fragile and absorbent that we don't want to mount it. I usually keep all glazing off of the work, but in this case, am thinking of using acrylic glazing
and using it to press the towel flat. I don't know if it
would still want to shift...I'm wondering if I can just
sandwich it tightly between the acrylic and backing mat,
or if I need to attach it with something on the back.
She'd rather take a chance having it slip than have me
stick it down. .
Click to expand...

Shayla, you do not have to put any kind of adhesive on that paper towel. A direct contact overlay mount using a padded backing board and acrylic would probably be the best way to give the fragile paper overall support and show the edges. It would not slip unless the frame suffers a significant impact -- but then it could be repositioned by similar, opposite impact.

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=40691&highlight=Direct+Contact+Overlay&page=2

For protective mounting, this might be the cheapest, easiest, and fastest method:

1. Cut a mounting board of 4-ply alpha cellulose, slightly smaller than the paper towel.

2. Cut a solid background board of alpha cellulose, which could be fabric-covered, suede, etc.

3. Trim a couple of layers of polyester batting about 1" smaller than the mounting board.

4. Stack the parts, from bottom up:
A. Background board (may need reinforcement)
B. Polyester batting layers, centered on the board
C. The slightly-undersized m09unting board
D. The paper towel
E. Acrylic glazing, not glass

5. Fit with a spacer under the acrylic sheet so that it imposes slight pressure on the paper towel.
 
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