Framing lithographs

[Maarten Brands]

Some good comments here regarding framing. Just to chip in.

The most important factor that determines archival quality of the print is the paper & inks used. Glass & framing is just extra protection.

Most game lithos we at C&B have seen are really offset prints in the CMYK spectrum not made using archival inks (which is a bit of a misnomer anyway as 'archival' is bandied around a lot and is not a protected term or anything so it can mean a lot of different things). A lot of the lithos are also on paper that contain whiteners and other acids which impacts durability.

So even if you UV coating afterwards or use UV glass I would still be careful exposing these prints to too much sunlight as it is anyones guess how long these lithos stay pristine and when they start to fade. It can be anything between 2 years or a 100.

- UV glass or plexiglass is defnititely preferable, also has better light refraction and more accurate color representation. And saves in weight , and if you drop the artwork normal glass can break an damage your print. Acrylic glass or plexiglas is more resistant.
- You can frame using a matte without a permanent fixture to a backboard. A nice option imo.
- A Dibond mount with Diasec (which is the front mounting glue) and acrylic glass is also very nice. And a standard for most museums who collect contemporary photography etc. What is difficult though is that ideally you want to test with a bit of the paper and ink before you undertake this process.
- In terms of mounting, framing etc. there a so many options now and most of them are great. Ideally you want a recommendation from the artist that made the work (something that we're adding to C&B)
- If you don't know anything about the paper and inks your safest bet is traditional frame + matte with non-permanent fixture and UV glass.

P.S. The Dibond plate is almost impossible to crack. The worst that can happen is that it would chip on a corner if you drop it down the stairs. Same goes for a tradition frame of course so just don't do that

[MortalMonday]

Originally Posted by rasmusvn

I'll have the Liara Dark Horse litho framed this way (not the SDCC one). It will however be framed using acryllic glass because the quality of the paper isn't as important using this method.

There's only a risk if they screw it up, so you have to find the right people for the job. I do however see your point regarding purists.

Dibond is the backing, it's a composite made of aluminium and plastic so it's very study. You can repair scratches in liquid gloss by reheating it, although I wouldn't attempt that myself.

And just for reference: "The Diasec prints are used by some photographers to present their work. Andreas Gursky mounted "99 Cent II Diptychon", the most expensive photograph ever, on acrylic glass, probably with the Diasec process."

You have a Dark Horse Liara litho? If so, you're one of only 3 or 4 people that I know of that have it. I have one too.

And hats off to you for having it mounted using this Dibond method. Very courageous move indeed. I know I could never bring myself to have mine perma-mounted.

[vhal_x]

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't do dibond. Maybe for the Cook and Becker prints (that is what they're called, isn't it? The Mirror's Edge/Mass Effect ones, etc?) since you can choose to have them like that from the start, so if they went wrong, I assume they would replace it there and then, instead of sending you a fucked up one. But even at that, I'd probably choose a different method, so it isn't permanently like that.

Does anyone know... can dibond crack? For example, if during a house move, you dropped it. Could it crack?

If so, then that's a definite no-no for me (since it'd ruin the print inside) xx

[Molasar]

I have no idea what Dibond and stuff is. I just bought one of the Fallout Litho's and i plan to hang it in my gaming room where no sun light will touch it. I only planned on spending around 40 or 50 bucks for frame from like hobby lobby or target/walmart if i can find a real nice one thats not exepensive. The litho was only 40. I never plan to resell, i just love fallout.

Is there really that much to framing that you go to special places to have them frame it for you? Thats gotta be expensive! Im new to this!

[Dreamcazman]

Thanks for all the help so far, I might go into a framing shop once I get the litho and see what they can do for me. I've looked around and haven't been able to find a premade 24x36 frame so I'll probably have to get one custom made, but I can't afford to go over the top. In reality though we are only framing a $50 litho, not some priceless Picasso.

I've got a 18x24 frame here I bought from Target which I'll be using for one of my Dishonored lithos, very nice frame and only cost something like $40 on special.

I've never heard of Dibond either, we probably don't have it here in Australia.

[MortalMonday]

I think I paid about $380 USD to have my "The Team" lithograph custom framed; and I believe that one is the same in size to this new Skyrim litho. So yeah, custom framing is not cheap at all.

[Maarten Brands]

You can have your art Dibond mounted anywhere in the world. Quite a common thing now but it is indeed a permanent fixture.

If you use a standard size frame you can always see if you can make it fit using a matte.

[Dreamcazman]

Just an update, I bit the bullet and took my Skyrim litho in to get professionally framed this morning. I went and spoke to a few places and most were basically the same price and one other place was nearly twice the price!

I decided to go with the first guy I spoke with because we seemed to get on the best, was friendly and very professional - it's always best to stick with your gut feeling, so they say.

Anyway, for $250 I picked awesome frame timber and went with standard glass as opposed to UV, I just couldn't afford spending an extra $100 or thereabouts. I'm sure this thing will look amazing once I get it back.

Even the guy in the shop really digged the litho when I showed it to him.

[Mancoon]

Since we are talking about framing what would you guys suggest for one of the large cooks and Becker bioshock prints. I have never tackled something so large. With a piece being that rare it kind of warrants the cost of getting it done right. What are you guys who purchased one plan on doing? Any advice.

[toxicatom5]

My recommendation, particularly if you're getting the large size, is to go with the dibond with liquid gloss or acrylic glass (probably best to ask C&B to make the recommendation on which because one might be better suited for the piece than the other). You're going to spend a small fortune on framing anyway considering that it is HUGE. It's a unique way to do it, the art looks fantastic (better than it would behind glass in my opinion), and I highly doubt you would regret your decision. To each their own, but those are my thoughts.