Matboard hinging practice

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Z David

Z David

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Posts
944
Loc
Texas
I've been book hinging my matboards to the backing boards using linen tape since day one. Is this really necessary for all situations? It seems like a little glue would be just as effective for some situations.
Do you all approach things differently for different situations? What is your practice?




Z
 
I normally use a couple small dots of Frank's Fabric Glue at least an inch away from any part of the artwork. If you ever want to remove a mat it easily pops off the backer.

I only use linen tape to hinge the mat to the backer along the longest side when I am doing the highest archival standard and the artwork is not being framed and a potential purchaser may want to examine the entire piece. In that case the mat can be flipped up and the item can be examined and easily replaced in the frame.

Quite often I will cut my mats so only 1/16" - 1/8" of an image is covered by the mat. If the mat is hinged to the backer usually there is too much play and the mat can shift covering or revealing something not intended to be covered or to show. Small spots of glue allow for more precise alignment.

I know this is not "museum standards", but I normally am not framing for museums. When I frame for museums or serious collectors, I follow the standards.
 
Thank you Dave!
What you say makes sense and validates what I've been thinking!




Z
 
I fully expect a backlash at my statements, Z David... so we should probably hold on tight for the coming ride!

:icon11:
 
No backlash from me. Not everything we frame is the Magna Carta.

That is what is most difficult about the job. Knowing when to do what. No answer is correct all the time.
 
For preservation framing we book the mat using gummed linen tape. For all other projects, we put a few tiny dots of water-based adhesive on the top edge of the mat. That is enough to keep it from shifting, but when it is necessary to remove the mat, the dots separate like little snaps, so the mat comes off easily and can be reattached.

For routine framing of posters & such, the adhesive could be ordinary frame glue, but we usually use fabric glue, starch paste, wet-mounting paste, or acid-free PVA.
 
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