Framed matte prints: glass or no glass?

[Jan Morales]

I asked this question in another forum, but I got only a handful of replies, so I thought I'd try asking here. Perhaps this is a better forum for it.

To folks who are selling prints on matte paper and framed, are you selling the frames with or without glass?

I really like the look of the photograph on matte paper and I think covering it with glass defeats the look. On the other hand I don't know if it's OK to offer a framed print without the protection of glass.

What do you folks do? I appreciate any advice.

[Dan Berg]

Sure it is ok but it needs to be mounted and protected properly.
Dry mounted to foam board or gatorboard then either spray varnish or vinyl overlaminated.
Canvas is still our number one substrate using multiple mounts so do not do many matte print mounts these days.
In my opinion the vinyl laminate destroys the beautiful soft matte texture.
Several coats of Clearstar FA 2000 still maintains that original matte look and feel.

[elolaugesen]

Look at glass like crescent image clear.  All the suppliers in the UK are coming out with this kind of anti reflective glass.  Note it is more like museum glass with much less protection.  For the money I now use it for all of my other half'S original work.    It is not in any way like the anti glare glass.

For exhibition it is good glass. Viewers will walk up and try to touch image.  Not as good as museum but at a much much much  Lower cost.  

It also have higher UV protection rating much lower than special uv glass but much better than reg glass
I do not use crescent's anymore.  Odd US sizes.  Buy a slightly larger UK size. Get more left overs for smaller pics.

Cheers. Elo
When I get back to my reg computer will posts some sites with info

Am checking out Clearstar Next week...

[Alan Goldhammer]

Dry mounted to foam board or gatorboard then either spray varnish or vinyl overlaminated.
Canvas is still our number one substrate using multiple mounts so do not do many matte print mounts these days.
In my opinion the vinyl laminate destroys the beautiful soft matte texture.

I would absolutely stay away from vinyl.  It's the worst type of plastic to use since it leaches unreacted monomer into the image and will discolor turning a nice dingy yellow with age (that will be accelerated under light).

Alan

[Dan Berg]

I agree Alan.
About all we use it for these days is on posters.

[bill t.]

Dry mounted to foam board or gatorboard then either spray varnish or vinyl overlaminated.

For canvas, definitely in that order with dry mounting first before spraying.  Dry mounting already sprayed canvas gives you a cheezy, squashed-down looking surface.

[Mulis Pictus]

Several coats of Clearstar FA 2000 still maintains that original matte look and feel.

Dan, which version of Clearstar FA do you use? The low-gloss version? Does it come in spray can or is it also possible to spray with HVLP?

I am curious because in my area I am only able to get ClearJet A2000, which comes only in gloss or semi-gloss cans. If it is in spray cans, do you know how it compares to Hahnemuhle protective spray? How much protection does it provide to the matte prints?

[JeanMichel]

Hi,
I now use a non-reflective glass from Groglass. About half the price of museum glass and no tint at all. No going back to regular glass!
Jean-Michel

[Sal Baker]

Who distributes Groglass in the us?

Sal

[John Caldwell]

Still using Museum Glass here.

John-