Spacing glass from Posters

[Keith]

Hi.

I have a customer who has 5 old film posters that he wants me to frame.
Each poster has been professionally fixed onto a canvas backing and he does not want any mounts just a frame.
I immediately said that the glass would need to be spaced away from the posters and intended to use econospace to do this.

When he mentioned this to the person who fixed the posters to the canvas the person said that this would not be necessary, and he has never had a job come back where the glass has stuck to poster or item being framed.

I then offered to put a post on the forum to see what the general opinion was on this, and will forward any replies to him, he can then decide which way he wants it done.

Thanks

Keith

[pixnut83]

>Keith,
My post earlier this evening 'Framing Artwork with no mount' is pointing in a similar direction. I'm concerned about close framing a print and keeping the artwork clear of the glass.
John.

[Roboframer]

He (the person that fixed the posters to the canvas) may never have had a job come back where the poster had stuck to the glass, or where condensation has happened, or where fluctuations in temperature have caused cockling - or .........

But those things are POSSIBILITIES and not necessarily probabilities, spacers would eliminate the possibilities, cost little more and have no visual effect. Customer's call.

[prospero]

I wouldn't depute his claim for a moment. But I will say it's more luck than judgement. I've seen pictures that have been against glass for years and not stuck or suffered any ill effects.


BUT........

Those frames were probably hung in a stable environment. If one had been stored in a shed/attic or left in the back of a car in the sun, the story may well have not been so happy. If the glass is spaced however, it will stand a better chance when confronted with rough treatment.

It's a bit like saying - "I don't bother wearing a seat belt. I am a very careful driver and I've never been in an accident."

[Gesso&Bole]

There's no doubt that the best option is to space the posters away from the glass. FACT.

However, there is no point getting into a battle with your customer. You've given him good advice, but it is up to him which way he goes. If you make too big a meal out of it he may well just go and find another framer who will just do as he asks.

[acleto]

Hi,
Don't be concerned, the customer is only interested in the present satisfaction, not in the future ... and he is open a deal for you, to sell him a glass, ... another advice, another poster, because there are so many posters out there ;
Make your customer happy here and now.

Alberto

[Keith]

Hi

Thank you all for your replies.
The customer has sent me this link which you all may find "interesting" they are saying that if you use plexi-glass / acrylic you have no need to use spacers.

http://www.hollywoodposterframes.com/in ... age_id=faq

I will now let him decide what he wants and frame the posters for him.

Thanks for your help.

Keith

[Steve N]

" HE" is probably not a framer, so he would not get the posters back, the framer would, It is best to space the glass, but if your customer does not care, put a note in the back of the frame say 'you advised about the spacing, but the customer decided against it.'

Steve

[framemaker]

I have always believed that if you had to put something directly against glazing, then acrylic is less likely to develop condensation than glass.

[Roboframer]

The customer has sent me this link which you all may find "interesting" they are saying that if you use plexi-glass / acrylic you have no need to use spacers.

http://www.hollywoodposterframes.com/in ... age_id=faq

'Don't use glass, glass breaks' - they're a mail order company, of course they don't want to know about glass! Far more valuable stuff than movie posters are behind glass.

So, the customer gets to fit the poster/whatever in to the frame - bet most of them are not sealed at the back at all - I bet that company is really concerned about that.

It's just one big 'Use us, not a custom framer' that misses one major thing, the custom framer actually frames the thing and can offer far far more alternatives to their cheap and easy one.

It's true that acrylic is less prone to condensation as it's not such a good conductor as glass, but 'less prone' is what it is, not 'condensation-proof'.

It's also true that spacers such as econospace on large items, especially floppy ones, may be ineffective and can cause cockling, as I mentioned in the other 'no mount' thread but there are other methods of spacing as there are methods of safely mounting to a rigid substrate before spacing.

[Not your average framer]

So, how valuable are these posters?

If they are valuable, they need a corresponding level of care and this includes spacing them away from the glazing.

If they have little real value and it does not matter if they are not preserved in the longer term, then what does it matter?

Cover you risks and get the customer to sign something, so you won't get any blame if things go wrong and...

TAKE THE MONEY!!!

[Framer Dave]

The customer has sent me this link which you all may find "interesting" they are saying that if you use plexi-glass / acrylic you have no need to use spacers.

http://www.hollywoodposterframes.com/in ... age_id=faq

No. Oh no. Dear no. These people are hacks, pure and simple. I wouldn't trust them if they said water was wet. If you want to have some fun go to the Grumble and search "evergreen slugs."

Something hasn't been mentioned. Are you using glass, or acrylic?