Originally posted by Bob Carter:
See, Trapper, I told you so
Some framers get pretty worked up about this
Bob, I'm not sure it's fair to say I "get pretty worked up about this", but I probably think labeling is more important than Trapper does.
The back label information is handy later. Work order number and a few details about the assembly could save a lot of digging when Ms. Customer comes in with Johnnie's senior photo and says "Frame this one just like you did my daughter's picture when she graduated in 1997." She doesn't have to bring in the older frame, which went cross-country when Katie moved away. All we need are the numbers off the back label, which takes only a phone call to Katie's butler.
If we're talking about the whole back, and not just labeling, I say either fill the frame or recess the dustcover to fit right on the backing board, so there's no poke-through opportunity. And use a decent quality paper. Black turns brown or gray over time, and might mark the wall. Brown paper looks ordinary. White isn;t opaque enough. I use Lineco blue lignin-free paper on almost everything.
Customers usually look at the back of the frame when they come to pick up the finished work, and what they see matters. They can't see inside, so they check the corners and the back, hoping to find indications of the quality they're buying.
Rather than making the back a no-impression feature of the framing, I choose to make a favorable impression with it.
Not "worked up" about it, just making it the best it can be. On average, that costs me about 50 cents more per frame and I think it's worth it.