Oversized and oddly-shaped. Ideas?

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libertycustomframes

libertycustomframes

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Posts
203
Loc
Torrington, CT
I have a piece I need to quote on, and am trying to decide the best way to frame it so I can start the quoting process. It's mixed media, but mostly acrylic on heavy paper. The piece is approx. 4.5' wide x 5.5' high and each of the four sides are different lengths, each of the four corners are different angles, no two sides are parallel to one another. A good old-fashion irregular quadrilateral. (I attached a drawing so you get the idea.) I'm going to float mount it so all edges can be seen, but I am wondering to what substrate (which will be seen around the edges, some sides will show more than the others due to its shape), what is the best way of mounting it, and if I use plexi, will a sheet that large bow? This art does not call for a fancy frame. In this case, simplicity wins. I'm thinking Nielsen Profile 95 if strong enough for this size piece. I'm looking for suggestions as to how some of you would frame this, and trying to stick with conservation methods/materials as much as possible. Thanks-- I'm just brain-dead today!
 

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Just did a piece that was 63" x 87" on paper. We used a deep (2 1/2") frame (stained walnut) with spacers and a strainer. We glued gatorboard to the strainer, seemed in the middle down the center cross bar, made a little v- groove in the seam and spackled and sanded it. Then we glued 1 ply rag board that we get in a 72" roll across the surface. Hinged the piece and used 3/16" u.v. plex. The spacers were 1". Came out great!!! The client was very happy. This is all, however, not cheap. I hope to get a nice picture of it soon.
 
Scallywag said:
Just did a piece that was 63" x 87" on paper. We used a deep (2 1/2") frame (stained walnut) with spacers and a strainer. We glued gatorboard to the strainer, seemed in the middle down the center cross bar, made a little v- groove in the seam and spackled and sanded it. Then we glued 1 ply rag board that we get in a 72" roll across the surface. Hinged the piece and used 3/16" u.v. plex. The spacers were 1". Came out great!!! The client was very happy. This is all, however, not cheap. I hope to get a nice picture of it soon.
Click to expand...

Thank you! This helps quite a bit! What did you end up using for hinges, and did you have any of the rag board showing on edge? I will probably have to splice a board because it will show behind the piece and it needs some color-- not many color options in such a large size. I took actual dimensions today and the piece is closer to 43" x 55"-- not as big as I guesstimated, but still rather large.
 
You can get Crescent rag mat that big, C 2273 I believe, might even be something avaialbe in 48 x 72". Coroplast would make an excellent rigid backing.
 
We used traditional wheat paste hinges and there was 1 1/2" showing around the paper. Also, you could use some kind of linen or fabric for your backing, that way no splice would show. Lots of options there.
 
It would be cool if you cut the frame in that shape. :popc: :D
 
I would float mount it - contrasting or matching background - then surround it with a fillet and mat matching the shape and center it by eye in a rectangular frame. That would give you the best of both worlds - emphasizing an intentional artistic shape in a conventionally shaped frame on the wall.
 
I would approach this piece as a display box and would not recommend an irregular shaped frame or mat. In my opinion that would detract from the art which should be the main focal point.

Simple frame, appropriate fabric wrapped backing which could be either mat board reinforced with polyflute board or an aluminum clad board. Both take fabric fine. Float mount the work to a slightly smaller 8 ply rag board cut to the same shape as the artwork. Attach the artwork to this irregularly cut board using edge hinges. Edge hinges are basically long hinges which wrap around to the back of the board.. Use on all four sides allowing a bit of play since the artwork is hygroscopic and you'd need to allow for some expansion and contraction. Then attach this 8 ply irregularly shaped board to the backer with Lascaux adhesive... a few placed dots to hold in place will work. Weight overnight.

3/16" Plexi should work fine using spacer panels with same fabric wrap.

A piece this size needs to have additional reinforcement so that the rails don't bow when being handled. If using a metal frame, I'd run a wire across to regular wire hardware eyes in each rail. Run wire across to the opposite rails, tighten one rail side and then bring the wire over as tight as possible to the other rail. Snug it up even more by sliding the hardware along the rail until it is the desired tautness, then tighten. Repeat for the other two rails.

If using a wood frame that has the potential to bow, a two or three inch strip of fiberglass screening material inexpensively available at any hardware store can be stapled to the opposing rails instead of using a wire.
 
Next question: where can I get a full sheet of 3/16" OP-3? My suppliers with truck delivery in CT are Don Mar and Decor and they only carry up to .118".
 
Thanks for the detailed response Dave. I've used the fiberglass tape in the past-- it's a great thing to have kicking around.

If the customer goes with the metal frame, I believe I'm left with having to use acrylic spacers, no? With the expansion/contraction rates of acrylic glazing, I'm wondering if those spacers would wide enough to hold it up long term.
 
Try your local glass dealer for the OP-3. Mine discounts the retail and delivers. For one sheet take the discount and mark up to a modest profit. Getting a distributor to ship you one sheet is a hassle and the shipping cost would eat into your profit, anyway.
 
libertycustomframes said:
Next question: where can I get a full sheet of 3/16" OP-3? My suppliers with truck delivery in CT are Don Mar and Decor and they only carry up to .118".
Click to expand...

It's official-- I cannot find anyone in my area who carries and sells single sheets of 3/16" OP-2 or OP-3. I thought this item was readily available, but nooooooooooooo.................
 
Your nearest source for OP3 may be New York City!
I was looking to buy a 5' x 8' sheet a of OP3 couple of weeks ago. I contacted Evonik (the maker of the product) who informed me of this.
They checked their records and found that they sold some to a company in Dallas (who then transferred it to a subsidiary in Austin).
I was able to get a sheet from them but the shipping was costly!
Anyhow, contact Evonik (you can get a number off the internet).

New York City may be as far away from you, as Austin is from me!




Z
 
Have you tried Piedmont Plastics? They are nationwide. I have had them transfer large sheets of acrylic inter-branch and then deliver to me and significantly saved on freight. You will need to have a longer lead time as the transfers take time to stage.
 
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