Tape type for photographs

Create a Post
S

Sherry Lee

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Posts
2,228
Loc
Phoenix, Az.
When doing strict conservation framing on photographs I use mylar corner mounts.

I have a customer whom wants to hinge mount large quantities of photos and prefers not to deal with the corners, but would like to use "a/f" tape....I know, an oxymoron.

I believe it was Jim Millers class that once suggested 3M 888 tape. I went to order some and it is discontinued. The vendors suggested 889 but it is double sided - I want single sided.

SUGGESTIONS PLEASE.........and thank you!
 
Umm? I can't imagine Jim suggesting pressure sensitive for mounting?

1) Wheat Starch Hinges would be best.
2) a water activated adhesive like Hayaku would be my next choice, but there are some concerns there.
3) a pressure sensitive "archival" tape like Filmoplast's P90 might be my "well if ya gotta" tape.
 
Thanks Cliff.

I don't want to misrepresent Jim Miller at all. I wish I could remember which class it was that it came up but I do remember asking for clarification about the name of this tape. Regardless, this is my attempt to get this photographer to convert from every day Scotch Tape to something a step above. Trust me when I say they will not use corner mounts, let alone wheat startch hinges.

Thank you!
 
Sherry,

The bgiggest problem you will run into with taping photograps is the expansion and contraction differences bewteen the photos and the backing material.

I would recommend only "T" ing one hinge close to the edge of the photo and all the other hinges "T'd" and inch or more away from the edge of the photo allowing the hinges to move left and right easily to prevent buckling between the hinges.

I would also recommend loose (slack) "Safety Hinges" at the bottom of the photos as well to keep the primary (top) hinges from peeling off if the frame is up-ended.

Check out the "Hinging Tips" article on the FrameTek web pages for some clarification of this method.
 
It depends on what the photograph is printed on. If they are B&W photos on fiber based paper, wheat or rice starch hinges would work. If they are color photos on RC, wheat or starch hinges won't stick. Inkjet prints are a whole other story, depending on what kind of paper they are printed on.

Linen tape works on both RC and fiber based photos.
 
2 cents

Ditto what Anne said. I normally use linen tape when I don't use mylar corners or mounting strips from Lineco.
 
Remember the cardinal rule of never using any hinging material stronger than the material you are mounting??

Linen tape is one of those materials WAY stronger than photo paper.

Do not use linen tape.

If they must, have them use filmoplast P-90 tape.
 
Doesn't filmoplast have a pressure sensitive adhesive on it? Or am I thinking of a different type of tape?

Linen tape is actually one of the few adhesives that sticks to RC photos and being water soluable, you to have the ablity to remove it if need be. RC paper is pretty tough so I'm not too concerned about the linen tape being stronger than the photo. I think if it came down to it, the hinge would give way first before the RC paper would.
 
Just a note on your typical method of using corners only. If the photos are to large you will end up with sagging if you don't have some hinges at the top of the photo. just my two cents to this discussion.
 
Yes, P90 is pressure sensitive. Not actually a good thing to apply directly to art. But, you soemtimes have to give the customer what they insist on. As long as they understand, it's their decision.

Apparently, although I've never used it, 3M makes an "archival" pressure sensitive tape called #887. Might be a substitute for the P90.
 
I'm not sure if anything that uses pressure sensitive adhesive could be considered archival given the way the adhesive has a tendence to migrate into what it has been attached to. I still feel safer with linen tape on RC photos since you can wipe the residue off with a wet cotton ball if necessary. For fiber based photos, I would use rice paper hinges and starch paste.
 
Pressure-sensitive adhesives are not good to use with valuable paper items, of any type. Delicate photos can be hinged with a long fiber Kozo, so that only the feathers at the edges of the hinge are attached, to avoid cockling
of the photo. RC prints are a problem, but they can probably be hinged in
a similar manner, using the detrin adhesive taken from good quality linen tape
with a wet brush.


Hugh
 
Hayaku Concerns?

Cliff Wilson said:
Umm? I can't imagine Jim suggesting pressure sensitive for mounting?

1) Wheat Starch Hinges would be best.
2) a water activated adhesive like Hayaku would be my next choice, but there are some concerns there.
3) a pressure sensitive "archival" tape like Filmoplast's P90 might be my "well if ya gotta" tape.
Click to expand...


Just curious Cliff, about your concerns with Hayaku, which I use all the time?

Joel
 
Create a Post
Back
Top