Mounting of photo between acrylic with it standing off from wall

[DaveV]

Hi there, I'm looking for someone in central New Jersey that can help a client of mine, she is looking to have a few large photos mounted with that no frame look, sandwiched between glass or acrylic and held off the wall with what looks like stainless steel rods, not sure what is is called. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The largest is approximately 40" x 50"
Thanks,
Dave

 

[wpfay]

Google "Standoff hardware".
Check with acrylic fabricators, glass will probably be too heavy.

 

[Nikodeumus]

I had this same request from a customer a few years ago.
There are logistical and structural considerations that "normal" picture framing acrylic can't provide.
I tried to explain these to her, she just wouldn't listen.

Some considerations :
-Using "Stand Off" hardware requires drilling holes in the acrylic very precisely.
-Cutting the acrylic that large and finishing the edges with a smooth flawless clean edge requires specialized equipment
-"normal" framing acrylic is relatively thin, at large sizes it could eadily flex/bow in the center area, meaning the prints wouldn't stay in place without being glued. That poses another set of problems
-thicker acrylic would be better suited but is much more expensive and not as easily sourced

What is the customers budget.?

 

[DaveV]

I had this same request from a customer a few years ago.
There are logistical and structural considerations that "normal" picture framing acrylic can't provide.
I tried to explain these to her, she just wouldn't listen.

Some considerations :
-Using "Stand Off" hardware requires drilling holes in the acrylic very precisely.
-Cutting the acrylic that large and finishing the edges with a smooth flawless clean edge requires specialized equipment
-"normal" framing acrylic is relatively thin, at large sizes it could eadily flex/bow in the center area, meaning the prints wouldn't stay in place without being glued. That poses another set of problems
-thicker acrylic would be better suited but is much more expensive and not as easily sourced

What is the customers budget.?

Thanks so much for your info, it reinforced my thoughts!

 

[JFeig]

DaveV, Yes, this method can be more expensive than basic conventional picture framing.

 

[Nikodeumus]

This is a situation that comes up frequently.

Someone has an idea of how they want to display a photo or art.

But they produce the item in a manner that is not well suited to their vision.

Then come to a framer to solve a problem they have created.

In situations like this, it would have been better if the person had done research on how large "frameless" displays are made, priced and sourced what shops can produce a product that fits their vision.

It's hard to tell someone "Your idea isn't bad, you just went about it the hard way."

 

[cvm]

Farm it out and mark it up. Face mount if they only have the physical photos, print on acrylic if they have the digital files.

 

[Larry Peterson]

I would leave it to the pros that have expertise with these frames; that stock 3/16 and/or 1/4 acrylic for the back, know how to mount it and have the equipment to cut and flame polish the edges. Google "acrylic sandwich frames".

 

[Bruce Papier]

This type of thing is best left to firms which produce signage or commercial displays.

 

[neilframer]

Here are a few stand-off jobs I did a while back.
Sorry, the photos aren't great.
I also did the installations.

Original B-1 Bomber blueprint that had been folded many times at the home office of one of the engineers..

U-Haul Tech Center..

The stand-offs are available in a few different finishes and different heights and configurations.
This one we made the front so that it can be opened to mark the map...

 

[Nikodeumus]

Here are a few stand-off jobs I did a while back.
Sorry, the photos aren't great.
I also did the installations.

Original B-1 blueprint that had been folded many times at the home office of one of the engineers..
View attachment 49420
U-Haul Tech Center..
View attachment 49421

The stand-offs are available in a few different finishes and different heights and configurations.
This one we made the front so that it can be opened to mark the map...
View attachment 49422

It's good to know someone around here has some experience with this method.
Would you share some details of how you made these?
-What type and thickness of acrylic?
-What machinery and other tools/supplies were needed?
-Are the items held in place by friction/pressure or other means?
-How does that method affect the items over the long term?
-Other considerations?

 

[neilframer]

It's good to know someone around here has some experience with this method.
Would you share some details of how you made these?
-What type and thickness of acrylic?
-What machinery and other tools/supplies were needed?
-Are the items held in place by friction/pressure or other means?
-How does that method affect the items over the long term?
-Other considerations?

I would like to respond with more detail but I'm recovering from my eye surgery and It's difficult to post.
We have a local plexi company that I've worked with for over 20 years.
They make all of our plexi boxes and they made the plexi panels with polished edges and holes drilled by them.
They have all of the tools, knowledge and types of plexi so we just do the paper parts, fitting and the installation.

 

[Nikodeumus]

I would like to respond with more detail but I'm recovering from my eye surgery and It's difficult to post.
We have a local plexi company that I've worked with for over 20 years.
They make all of our plexi boxes and they made the plexi panels with polished edges and holes drilled by them.
They have all of the tools, knowledge and types of plexi so we just do the paper parts and the installation.

That's good enough. I was mostly curious if you were able to produce those examples yourself "in house".
As has been mentioned by others, these acrylic "sandwich" style displays are not in the perview of the "average" picture framer to produce.

 

[neilframer]

Acrylic Designs in Phoenix is the plexi company that supplies us with the panels and boxes and we do everything else.
They don't have much of a web site but they are mainly a wholesale supply company.