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Thread: Do you use glass or acrylic?

  1. #1

    Do you use glass or acrylic?

    I make my own frames to keep costs down and for the most part, do a decent job. But I am thinkjing about using acrylic for frames larger than say 24x30. It is lighter but more expensive. I can get 5 32x40 sheets of glass for about $25, where a 24x30 peice of acrylic runs about $22.
    I have this fear also of a customer buying a large frame and the damm glass breaking or falling out. Has not happened in 3 years but it does bother me.
    Thought I would ask for your thoughts and suggestions.

    Thanks

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    I've had one frame fall off the wall and it was glass. Messy and can ruin a print. It does hold the mattes against the prints better though. I use acrylic for everything so far. No worries when shipping a framed print or hanging a show.

  3. #3

    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    Where do you get your acrylic from?

  4. #4

    Join Date
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    I do my own framing to hold down some of the costs as well. My own work which is
    11x14 or smaller I use glass. I do have a few Curtis prints framed 28x22 that I have with acrylic. I used the acrylic for uv protection and if the frame does fall off the wall it shouldn't shatter and damage the print. I got the acrylic from Light Impressions.

  5. #5

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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    I use glass for 18X24 and smaller. I use acrylic for larger sizes to keep the weight and shipping cost down, plus it reduces the risk of the print being damaged.

  6. #6
    Moderator Ralph Barker's Avatar
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    Acrylic only, for all print sizes.

  7. #7
    Michael E. Gordon
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    As Dakotah mentions, viewing through acrylic (or TruVue - if you can afford it) is a much better experience than viewing through plain green window glass. $22 for a 24x30 is too much; check out these sources:
    http://www.documounts.com/content/pl...-pricing-table
    http://framingsupplies.com/AcrylicFo...areAcrylic.htm

    Be sure you clean your acrylic ONLY with a microfiber cloth and acrylic cleaner to prevent scratches.

  8. #8

    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    Thanks for links Michael.

  9. #9
    westernlens al olson's Avatar
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    Why use glass or acrylic at all? I ceased using glass several years ago except when exhibiting in locations such as restaurants where the protection is needed.

    Very seldom do you see paintings under glass. Why? I think the same reasons apply to photography.

    I have found that the reduced light transmission makes the print look flatter or muddier. Glare will diminish the image and reflections can change the mood. Nonglare does what it is supposed to do, but it reduces transmission even more.

    Many of the digital printers are using canvas these days without the imposition of glass. I have discussed this issue with a number of local colleagues and they are in agreement that their prints exhibit much more to their liking without glass.
    Last edited by al olson; 8-Sep-2008 at 14:58. Reason: misspelling
    al

  10. #10
    IanG's Avatar
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    Re: Do you use glass or acrylic?

    Have used glass for about 25 years with only a couple of breakages (cracked glass) in that time in over 200+ frames. Far better optically than acrylic, and nothing isn't an option.

    Ian

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