How to frame a print in an old window frame?

July 13, 2009 4:48 PM

I'm trying to mount some old prints in the window portions of a six-paned window frame. How can I mount them so they appear to be floating in the middle of the pane (the glass is still there)?

Here is a picture of the frame and approximate size of the prints (I'll be cutting them to make the border more even). The prints are very old and the paper rips easily. I'd like the print to face out, through the glass, and be surrounded by glass on all sides. Is there a non-destructive artist's glue I should be using, or some creative way of using mounting gum, or is there just a standard way of going about this that I'm not aware of?

posted by BlackLeotardFront to media & arts (7 comments total)

Have you thought of doing something like gluing photo corners to the window? I would also try to back the prints with something so that they don't go all limp on you.
posted by that girl at 4:53 PM on July 13

You could cut pieces of glass or plexi-glass the same size as the panes and sandwich the prints between them, securing the 2nd piece of glass with glazier's points or small nails. You would probably need a tiny bit of poster putty on the back corners of the prints to secure them to the 2nd piece of glass and keep them from sliding. (You could also use plexiglas.)
posted by The Deej at 5:01 PM on July 13

I think if they're going to be invisibly suspended in the middle of each pane I'm going to have to keep it really simple, like tiny pieces of very clear tape at the corners. Thanks for the suggestions, though, I'll head down to the art store and see if they might be effective.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:13 PM on July 13

What's your philosophy on permanence? You could use a little spray mount, after which you razor-blade off any overspray.
posted by rhizome at 5:23 PM on July 13

Spray mount might be the way to go. I have a few artist friends who have some lying around as well... I'll see what their input is.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:34 PM on July 13

Been there done that.

Spray adhesive on the front of the picture looks like crap.

The best solution I could find was to cut a piece of clear acetate (the one used for overhead projectors) to the size of the window plus a couple millimeters on each side. Spray mount the picture on the acetate, then wedge the acetate between the glass and the wood, from behind.

Hope this is clear, you end with this: You -> Glass -> Picture -> Adhesive -> Acetate -> Wall
posted by dirty lies at 1:40 AM on July 14

That's good, dirty lies. I'll try that if my more basic technique doesn't work.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:32 PM on July 14