Archival tape...for print edges

[MurrayMinchin]

Hi there,

I want my prints primarily experienced while held in the hands, rather than in a frame behind glass on a wall. This means their edges will need a little protection from handling, because I imagine cotton gloves will not be worn by everyone who handles them.

Do you have any suggestions for archival tapes? Have you seen this kind of presentation before? Is there another solution?

Scouring that inter-webby thing, I've found some archival linen & satin fabric tapes and 'invisible' paper repair tapes that might work, but would rather use something a conservator would use/recommend.

Thanks a bunch,

Murray

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Here is one possible solution where the print could be hand held, but the print never touched...affixing it to a larger mount (either heavy weight paper or 2 ply mat board?) with paper corners (I'd use different tape)



In either case, they would have to be in protective packaging.

 

[Bill Burk]

That’s great!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

That’s great!

Yup, thought it was pretty slick.

Tried some quick mock ups with his second method on some Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag and Epson Hot Press Natural papers and it works great...will be my preferred method going forward with hinged window cut mats as well.

May repurpose dry mount press as a dinghy anchor!

 

[AgX]

Scouring that inter-webby thing, I've found some archival linen & satin fabric tapes and 'invisible' paper repair tapes that might work, but would rather use something a conservator would use/recommend.

Just materials as these are manufactured by Neschen in Germany for a restoring market. You may inquire at them with any material about what they understand as "archival" and about its applicability for your idea.
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/self-adhesive-repair-tapes/#pdetails

 

[gone]

I wouldn't use glossy RC paper. The matt will come in handy because people won't just hold the photos by the edges. It's a compromise, I think the gloss papers have more punch and deeper blacks, usually, but the fingerprints and reflections are going to ruin it for the viewer.
I like to show prints to a gallery in a presentation box (an old chocolate box) of 8x10's w/ nothing on the edges, but they're careful w/ them.

I think the viewer has a different impression if they can handle the print, turn it this way and that. If something sells it gets matted at least, but people prefer to take things home mounted in some way. Framed or matted as you mentioned, w/ a simple cloth hinge. I'm not comfortable giving them a bare print by itself because they get damaged so easily.

 

[mcfitz]

Just materials as these are manufactured by Neschen in Germany for a restoring market. You may inquire at them with any material about what they understand as "archival" and about its applicability for your idea.
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/self-adhesive-repair-tapes/#pdetails

These products are what I have been looking for. But do you know if it is possible to order directly from the company, as an individual who might place a small order? It isn't clear on the website.

Also the video is great, thanks for posting it, Murray.

 

[AgX]

Neschen got no own store. The products I linked too are typically sold by stores selling bookbinding supplies.

Other products are also sold by stores selling photofinishing supplies. Neschen had a big stand at Photokina, but there it was mainly about cold-laminating and protective foils.

 

[mcfitz]

AgX, thank you. I'll start looking for stores selling bookbinding supplies, oh and ask a photographer friend who is a librarian. She might know where in France to look.

 

[AgX]

This is a bit more informative than their website:
https://www.neschen.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/NE-Books-Documents-Catalogue-EN-09-21-WEB.pdf

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I wouldn't use glossy RC paper...

Thanks, but I'm not intending to use silver gelatin coated papers, only uncoated heavy weight 100% cotton papers for either hand coated Kallitype's or digital prints.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Just materials as these are manufactured by Neschen in Germany for a restoring market. You may inquire at them with any material about what they understand as "archival" and about its applicability for your idea.
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/self-adhesive-repair-tapes/#pdetails

Thanks. Here in North America Lineco and Filmoplast have quite a few products.

https://www.lineco.com
http://www.brodart.ca/search/?q=filmoplast

 

[mikeg]

I went to a presentation by the English photographer John Blakemore a few years ago and he had lightly mounted his photos to mount board which he then passed around the group - we were a group of about 10 - 15 people. This way no-one touched the prints, just the mount board. He didn't use an overmount or window.

 

[MattKing]

I use re-useable mats that are designed to permit sliding prints in and out. The prints are held in temporarily by two small strips of releasable tape.

 

[Bill Burk]

I wonder if there are other paper tab folding patterns we haven’t seen yet? Maybe a paper crane origami corner that not only holds the print securely and beautifully without slippage under glass but releases the print gently when you want to hold it in your hands.

 

[wiltw]

There used to be things called 'presentation mats' that allowed photographers to insert prints or slides in a manner in which folks could view the print/slide without any touching of the print/slide.
The company that I used to use is no longer in business, but this gives a rough idea of the kinds of product that I would use...a backing integrated with a cutout
https://www.adorama.com/am488210.html

 

[Moose22]

There used to be things called 'presentation mats' that allowed photographers to insert prints or slides in a manner in which folks could view the print/slide without any touching of the print/slide.
The company that I used to use is no longer in business, but this gives a rough idea of the kinds of product that I would use...a backing integrated with a cutout
https://www.adorama.com/am488210.html

I got something like this from Frame Destination. Slide in mats so you could slide the print in and out, no tape or glue.

They were too tight, so I ended up messing up a couple of prints trying to get them in the mat. but with a little fussing and some practice I can see them being a great solution. You can handle the mat all you want, and if are careful putting the print in it is no-adhesive, no-damage mounting.

 

[MattKing]

I made mine with a tape hinge, channels for positioning the print and a velcro closure on two corners.
It helps to put some duct tape on the surface of the mat where you intend to to apply the releasable tape to hold the print in place.

 

[wiltw]

And there are products like these https://www.staples.com/Itoya-Art-P...PDXkxP7r_nM5to44r2XqGq8ubj9FT-RBoCurIQAvD_BwE
although I dislike that print surface is not directly viewed, but under a sleeve.

or like these https://www.loktah.com/products/matted-folios

or frame mounts and presentation boxes https://www.seldex.com.au/product/frame-mounts