How UV resistant are lithographs, giclee

[ingmar1988]

Hey guys, im looking to frame a lot of my art prints.
Im already looking around some framers, but there are a lot of options.

However, i also have some cheapish giclee (from the eastore, tombraiderstore etc), so i dont want to spend to much on framing them.

Now, most frames coming with either normal glass or some kind of plastic, which are both not uv resistant.

My question is, is there any danger of fading because those giclee are printed on archival inks etc?

cheers,

ps: i also see alot of these cheap giclee framed without a mat (seems dangerous to me). I will use acid free mat on all my pieces (since the cost only around 20-30 euro and its looks nicer).

[SwiftDeath]

amb6883 or rasmusvn would be best to answer these sorts of questions

[ingmar1988]

I know uv resistant would be best, but i want to make one wall full of artwork, so spending 150 euro on a frame for a 40 dollar giclee seems a bit excessive (although if i had the money i would ;))

but on the other hand, i also dont want to have the risk of damage within a few years.

[SwiftDeath]

I know uv resistant would be best, but i want to make one wall full of artwork, so spending 150 euro on a frame for a 40 dollar giclee seems a bit excessive (although if i had the money i would ;))

but on the other hand, i also dont want to have the risk of damage within a few years.

What's the price difference between UV and non-UV then?

[ingmar1988]

I think it was about twice as expensive (99,7 uv filtering i believe).
Also, because if you buy a standard frame with glass its cheap, however if you want the uv resistant you have to order a custom made frame which is more expensive.

[SwiftDeath]

I think it was about twice as expensive (99,7 uv filtering i believe).
Also, because if you buy a standard frame with glass its cheap, however if you want the uv resistant you have to order a custom made frame which is more expensive.

Well the other approach maybe just to UV filter the windows in that room for a much much cheaper solution

I know a couple collectors on here do that

I could ask lowly about it as she knows a good place to get it

[ingmar1988]

that sounds as a good idea, especially since its going to be on one wall!

i didnt think about that.

That would only cost me maybe 40 euro since its only one window :D

[LowlyAssassin]

As swift said
And I tried to discuss UV protection in
This thread (http://collectorsedition.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12210)
I found a UK supplier that sells it by the role or Meyer bit there are lots of suppliers

[ingmar1988]

So i have a solution, thats stupid of me i didnt think about it :O well.
Im definately going to order that!

Im still wondering though, what if you do nothing about uv protection? Anyone here who has a few year old giclee hanging in the sun?

[LowlyAssassin]

Send a pm to mortal he probably does

[rasmusvn]

I personally wouldn't like having foil on my windows. Also, proper glass has other benefits than just uv-protedtion.

I knows Illium #1 was damaged.

BYcMfUjU5Iw

It's not that obvious (see near the signature), but I think that also has to do with the camera. I once had photos, but they are long gone.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mass-Effect-Illium-Lithograph-No-1-300-/180880958131

[Stevo]

Not somthing i worry about being from the uk, as we never tend to see the sun :)

[amb6883]

UV damage can from indoor lights as well.

[ingmar1988]

yes, i didnt realize that fully. However it will be much smaller extent i guess.
I heard LED lights would be better? (i want those anyways).

[amb6883]

yes, i didnt realize that fully. However it will be much smaller extent i guess.
I heard LED lights would be better? (i want those anyways).

From what I can tell most LED's transmit very little/no UV light and will usually have it on the packaging.

[Maarten Brands]

The type of glass helps but most important is knowing the inherent qualities of the giclee or litho itself to determine UV resistance. What paper & what inks were used etc. Obviously that is very hard to know from the outside.

This is just our (C&B) opinion of course but the game giclees we've seen vary a lot in quality. Hard to make a blanket statement about that. But most of the game lithos we've analyzed from the various outlets I would treat very carefully.

Most of these will start fading in about 1 - 2 years when exposed to sunlight for a longer period. Especially the blues and magenta colours will start to deteriorate. Acrylic or plexiglas (UV) instead of regular glass helps but won't stop it.

[ingmar1988]

Maybe an off topic question, but i just received mass effect open edition litho, but the quality its so cheap. Are all mass effect lithos like that (the paper is almost feeling like just a poster)?

After seeing and feeling the C&B giclee, there is almost no turning back.

Although, i also just received and AC giclee from Arludik, that felt fairly nice for the money.

[amb6883]

It's the same paper as the limited edition lithos.

[ingmar1988]

Wow really, i never realised they were so crappy (although i also got sam spratt litho together with the giclee, and i noticed how bad the litho felt, literally like a 5 dollar poster).

My own printer on photo paper makes better images imho.

Guess, i will have to go for quality art than.

Glad most of the Assassins Creed art is on better paper, im happy with the piece from Arludik, only they have very little info on their site, so i mail them about the ink/paper used.

[amb6883]

Just keep in mind that just because a paper is thick does not necessarily mean it's good and I have some prints on some very delicate paper that is superior to those lithos. It really depends on what the paper is made from.

[ingmar1988]

yes of course! I love the paper where you feel the structure though and that feels study.

Are giclee printed on better paper overall versus litho for same price?

[amb6883]

Are giclee printed on better paper overall versus litho for same price?

At Treehouse at least they seem to be. They all seem to be 100% archival cotton rag versus just 100 lb paper (not a lot of info). Honestly, I am surprised they are the same price.

[blingaling]

I was going to put this in the Irrational thread where the subject of flat shipping came, but this seems a better place. I promised pictures of Odd City's flat shipping a few weeks back, didn't get my delivery until earlier this week though.
Here are some crappy cell phone pics:

The whole package is more than an inch thick, maybe 3 cm.
http://i39.tinypic.com/dnd4p3.jpg

The top flaps overlap each other and come about 2/3 of the way across. Everything inside is in a big plastic bag, taped shut.
http://i44.tinypic.com/osxu93.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/5e8pqo.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2hwvn5.jpg

The print itself is in the middle, sandwiched between 2 sheets of heavy cardboard on each side.
http://i39.tinypic.com/14bozyt.jpg

The print is covered with a sheet of kraft paper, secured at all 4 corners.
http://i43.tinypic.com/f08dww.jpg

Haven't had a single damaged print from these guys. Out of 6 so far.

[amb6883]

^Is that the foil?

[blingaling]

^Is that the foil?

Nope :(

I'm going to try to catch an AP variant.

edit: 9/3 SUCCESS!