Protective coating options without using glass?

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Brian Gorman

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A customer just approached me regarding a new technique of a glazing like finish without using glass. I have no clue! Any advice?

For background, we are mounting and framing paper images from a calendar. The images are old style country scenes and we are hand distressing the frames.

Am I making any sense?
 
Uh, ............... nope.

FGII
 
I had a customer ask me about an acrylic glazing that is brushed on ... I think she called it "Verplex" ... at least I am pretty sure it started with a 'V'


Supposedly, it provides "protection" (while completely devalueing the piece), but gives a "painterly" brush stroke look. Assuming these calendar pages are "junk" that may be what you are thinking of. Also, using regular dry mount lamination with various application techniques could allow for no glass. :confused: Of course I probably have completely misunderstood your question! :D

Good Luck,
Cliff

[ 03-07-2003, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Cliff Wilson ]
 
I'm quite fond of the print guard that I get from United. It somes in several textures (linen, canvas) and well as glossy and mat finishes.

I use it as a substitute for glass on: pieces for the baby's room; pieces that are going to be shipped; pieces that will hang in a place where glare might be a problem.

Yes, it completely devalues anything you put it on but I don't see that as a problem with open edition posters and calendar pages.

Have I just confused the issue even further?

Kit
 
Originally posted by Jim Miller:
You said the prints are calendar art, presumably of no value other than decorative. Right?

You didn't say why the customer wants an alternative to glass. If price is the issue, tell him there's nothing cheaper than glass. If breakability or weight is the issue, then here are alternatives we've used in my shop:

1. Acrylic -- already well known, I guess.

2. Laminating film such as PrintGuard -- I like the linen finish.

3. Acrylic heavy-gel medium -- paint it on for brush-stroke texture.

4. Clear film such as Mylar-D -- generally used as a window in the dustcover, to show some part of the back of a framed item. But it would be OK for primary glazing on a small image.

5. Spray acrylic, polyurethane, or other clear finish in aerosol cans.

The cheapest of these alternatives is probably the spray, followed by the gel medium, unless you waste time applying it. Let it dry overnight before fitting. Next in terms of cost would be clear film, then laminating film, then acrylic -- I think.

You didn't mention mats. If you are using mats, then I suggest you make sure they are covered one way or another. Matboard has a fragile and vulnerable paper surface, which is intended to be protected.
Click to expand...
 
If I had done that, someone would have made a remark about my just wanting to be quoted! :rolleyes:

Betty

Even if I had to do it myself!

[ 03-08-2003, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: B. Newman ]
 
Originally posted by B. Newman:
If I had done that, someone would have made a remark about my just wanting to be quoted! :rolleyes:

Betty

Even if I had to do it myself!
Click to expand...
And so you are.

Now, what do you have to say for yourself???

FGII
 
10 dollar (retail) print - 11 x 14
4 inch ornate frame from LJ
Matching filet
2 suede mats
Framing 500 to 600 dollars

No glass - 2 layers of matte laminating film with a crinkled piece of brown kraft paper on top in the press (under the foam). Max press in the Vacuum press for about 3 min to force the wrinkles into the laminate. Then remove the kraft paper and lower the pressure and another 5 min should finish the lamination.

I did one of these years ago as part of a filet display and customers kept wanting to buy it so we made more and keep making them. The original one has hung on display on and off for 10 years. Dusting the suede mats now and then is all it needs - it still looks great. I wouldn't do this with paper surface mats.

The decorating is in the framing - the art is secondary. I'm quite happy to sell framing even without "ART".

We are now looking at a brush on product called Z-Gel but don't know where to get it in Canada.
 
Originally posted by Framerguy:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by B. Newman:
If I had done that, someone would have made a remark about my just wanting to be quoted! :rolleyes:

Betty

Even if I had to do it myself!
Click to expand...
And so you are.

Now, what do you have to say for yourself???

FGII </font>[/QUOTE]Oooh, you made my day. Not only am I quoted on the grumble, but I'm quoted by Framerguy!

Betty
 
Careful, Betty, being quoted by Framerguy may be as prestigious as Al Gore spelling "potatoe" during a grade school visit a few years ago!!

Omar
 
John, I love the crinkled paper idea - can't wait to get to work on Monday and try it.

Kit (risking the wrath of Omar to point out that it was Dan Quail who couldn't spell potato)

[ 03-08-2003, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Kit ]
 
Originally posted by Kit:
Kit (risking the wrath of Omar to point out that it was Dan Quail who couldn't spell potato)
Click to expand...
That's right! But it was Gore that invented potatos.
 
John, nice upsell.

To answer a few questions. This is purely decorative. My customer is looking for something unique and somewhat time periodness (as if that is even a word) to this piece. That's why we are talking about hand distressing the frame from raw moulding and then finishing. Why the glazing thing, who knows?

Of course this is one of those projects that go on and on and on with this going wrong and that going wrong, but what the H***. I'm game for some punishment.

Laminating options may and sound like they me be the angle to take. I am new to the laminating thing and must admit, confused. I tried a sample piece of paper that I mounted to foamcore and the finish came out different than I expected. It was all dimpled (I assume from the sponge overlay). I have read the mounting and laminating book, but to be honest, didn't find much regarding achieving different finishes. I'll have to try the crinkled paper thing and see the finish.
 
If you really want the 'period look', you should use really green glass, and break off one corner (just enough to show in the lower corner of the frame) hehehehehe ;) ;)
 
Texturing laminate - on top of 1, 2, or even 3 layers of laminate try canvas, corduroy, carpet, and even very course sandpaper (30 grit)- heck, try anything that will fit in the press!! (we had a neat imprint of a pen once but that wasn't intentional.
 
Originally posted by giveblood:
...Why the glazing thing, who knows? ...
Click to expand...
Whoa! When a customer asks for something strange and unusual, it's OK to inquire further. We call this "interaction with the customer".

Try something like this reply: "A new kind of finish without glass? Well, there are several alternatives, depending on your objectives. What's your concern? Price? Weight? Glare? Shatter-resistance? Masking damage? Some other reason?"

Most of the alternatives might be instantly eliminated by his answer.
 
Originally posted by Kit:
Kit (risking the wrath of Omar to point out that it was Dan Quail who couldn't spell potato)
Click to expand...
And risking the wrath of Kit, I might point out that it was really Dan Quayle who gave the alternate spelling to the word potato.


Omar

(That should even us up, Kit! :D )
 
Jim,

I think I may have left a little out. We explored all of the obvious reasons and alternatives of glazing. This just happens to be one of those customers on a journey of creativity.
I commend her on her creativity and desires to do the unique. Wish a few of the recent pennypinchers would take the same plunge and make things a little spicier!

My comment earlier was purely sarcastic. Sorry!
 
Originally posted by giveblood:
...This just happens to be one of those customers on a journey of creativity...
Click to expand...
Aha! Creativity is the objective -- now we're gettin' somewhere. Hmmm...creative glazing.

In this case I'd suggest an elaborate description of how you will apply your custom-mixed, secret-recipe coating (clear acrylic heavy gel) to each of the prints by hand, massaging the goo with your fingertips into each fiber of the paper, creating strokes and textures to sensuously follow the beautiful images. Then, during the crucial drying process, you will recite your own special good-luck-and-long-life incantation, making each of these a truly unique creation. And, for only $150 more, offer to 'age' the rustic images with a rub of antiquing potion.

Howzat for creative journey?
 
Here's something I do for photographs that a lot of big studios do around here. After mounting it, spray it with McDonald's Pro-Texture. This is not a major texture, but looks really cool and can be applied to achieve a couple of different textures. This should be available at a local photo supply shop that caters to professional photographers. It runs about $10 a can. I also finish up with a coating of McDonald's finishing spray (I like the Matte Special) which is also a UV inhibitor. If you don't have any shops like this, try a professional photo lab. They can do it for you, and of course charge a lot more than a can will cost you.
Don't know about your area, but most of the studios around here do this on any images over 8x10. I tell people it's to achieve a more oil painting type finish that doesn't need mats and glass. Also looks great with liners, fillets and high end frames.
Good luck!
 
I just wanted to thank everyone for the creative juices and say that we found a product that served the purposes.

On one of those weird days, a new rep came in to my store and started pitching the lastest and greatest. After going through the paces, I started to describe the project and low and behold, out of the case came two moulding samples, one the right profile, one the right color. Sold! Next she introduced me to an acrylic coating call "Z-gel".

After a few samples and the customer coming back to review, we have completed and delivered the product. The customer left very happy today.

Victory!
 
Z-Gel is a brush-on finish to protect and texturize inexpensive prints - especially repoductions of oils and acrylics. United is carrying it and has informations sheets they would probably send on request.

In a pinch, you can use gloss Mod Podge which is available from craft stores.
 
Not to be picky, but if they were oils or acrylics, they probably didn't have Z-Gel on them. Z-Gel is used on PRINTS to make them look like oils or acrylics.

I'm not sure what happens to Z-Gel after 10 or 20 years, but we have a framed print in the shop that was "brush-stroked" about 15 years ago and it looks terrific. I imagine the product we used was similar to Z-Gel.
 
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