Conserving a 36x29' cibachrome print

[samuel_dfr]

Hello

I'm new here so excuse me if this question has been ask before...

I just made the acquisition of an original print.
It's a gorgeous 36x29' cibachrome print. (traditonal silver process)

But now, I have to decide how to frame and conserve the print...
This is awfully hard. What would be the best way?

Could someone from the forum give me advices? Tx a lot.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

36x29 feet?? or 36x29 inches? I'm assuming you mean inches - Best way would be a quality custom frame. UV resistant plexiglass, nice acid-free museum board mat (white or black are best for color photos). Hinge-mounted on acid-free foam-core board. If it really is feet, I don't know of anyone who could frame something that big.

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Welcome to Apug Samuel. The best and easiest way is to take it to a reputable frame shop, not Michaels or Aaron bros types. And ask them to frame it to museum archival standards. That way they will be sure to use acid free etc. materials. It gets expensive but then you do want to preserve your investment in such a large Cibachrome print.

D.

 

[samuel_dfr]

36x29 feet?? or 36x29 inches? I'm assuming you mean inches - Best way would be a quality custom frame. UV resistant plexiglass, nice acid-free museum board mat (white or black are best for color photos). Hinge-mounted on acid-free foam-core board. If it really is feet, I don't know of anyone who could frame something that big.

yes, inches (sorry) as based in europe and using metric system so i can get confused with the " and '... (91x74cm)

 

[samuel_dfr]

archival standards

Welcome to Apug Samuel. The best and easiest way is to take it to a reputable frame shop, not Michaels or Aaron bros types. And ask them to frame it to museum archival standards. That way they will be sure to use acid free etc. materials. It gets expensive but then you do want to preserve your investment in such a large Cibachrome print.

D.

Thank you for your answer D.
Would you have an idea where to find a "definition" of archival standards.
As I don't trust framers in my city, I'll probably go to a bigger one. But It would definitely be better if I knew what to ask them more precisely...
My budget is, of course, not unlimited, but as you said, I want to preserve the print as well as possible.

 

[Bob Carnie]

If it is being framed , do not heat mount.

Most shops will be uncomfortable mounting an irreplacelbe print.
I would not mount it if it cannot be replaced at your cost.

A print this size , specifically a ciba should be handled by a shop who knows what they are doing. Before you send it out make sure.

best regards
Bob

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Like Bob said, no mounting of any kind, wet, dry or heat. Just hing mounts like Scott said. All matting and mounting boards should be acid free rag. The glass needs to be UV protected. You could even ask if the backing paper is acid free. There are some pointers.

D.

 

[SeamusARyan]

framing

Hi Samuel

you don't say where you bought it, if from the photographer then perhaps they could point you at a reputable framer, if you bought it from a gallery then they are usually more than happy to have it framed for you (at a mark up to them of course)

if neither of those are an option then find a good photography gallery (i.e. when you tell them you have a lovely big ciba to frame they look like they know what you're talking about) in your area

if you tell us where you are based then perhaps some one here from your area will be able to over advice

 

[samuel_dfr]

Hi Samuel

you don't say where you bought it, if from the photographer then perhaps they could point you at a reputable framer, if you bought it from a gallery then they are usually more than happy to have it framed for you (at a mark up to them of course)

if neither of those are an option then find a good photography gallery (i.e. when you tell them you have a lovely big ciba to frame they look like they know what you're talking about) in your area

if you tell us where you are based then perhaps some one here from your area will be able to over advice

Hi,

Thanks for your propositions

The print was bought from a gallery based in London. The photographer live in Paris. She send it to me directly to Belgium by FedEx...
The gallery didn't want to send framed print, too expensive and dangerous according to them.

Hopefully, I got the name of the lab who made the print. (www.dupon.com) So I'll maybe have to bring them the print back so they could frame it. I'll try to contact them today.

As you proposed I'll also try to ask the few photography galleries I know in Bruxelles and ask them what they could propose.

I'll keep you all updated of my progress

samuel

 

[davetravis]

Welcome to Apug Samuel!
For the most permanence, go with the all acid free approach mentioned by the others.
It would help to know what style of paper it's printed on.
There are 2 types. Resin coated fiber, and polyester.
The resin coated fiber paper hard mounts to most substrates very well without getting the dreaded "orange peel" affect. I don't recommend hard mounting the polyester to anything. Hinge it from the top and let it "hang." Also, if it's the poly, insist the framer not touch the surface with the bare fingers, fingerprints are almost impossible to remove. If hard mounting, ask about a "cold" pressure adhesive.
Whatever you do, don't laminate it!
Good luck and congrats on your purchase.
DT

 

[boyooso]

As with most if not all color photographs you should insist on UNBUFFERED mat board. Almost all 'acid free' board is buffered and is inapropriate to use with a color photograph

A very nice board is the "Rising Photomount" Legion Paper distributes it.

Corey

 

[SeamusARyan]

Hi Samuel

any chance of telling us what you bought and where, it's always nice to know work is selling, gives us hope that one day it may be our work that is selling

 

[samuel_dfr]

other source of information

I had some contacts with another photograph. He send me this link the info there seem very thorough:

http://www.wilderphoto.com/mounting.htm

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

Hi Samuel,
Dupon is a very good lab in Paris.
In Paris, JP Gapihan is an excellent framer.
Bought in London, printed in Paris, shipped to Bruxelles... Vive l'europe...!
Welcome to APUG,
Guillaume