Float framing

[Mary Lever]

What is the best way to attach a 70cm x 50cm fine art print to conservation foam board when float mounting - other than using Roy Rowland’s technique? Many thanks

[Justintime]

Cut the foamboard 10mm smaller all round than the print, bevelled cut preferably. Hinge all round with white gummed tape or better. Now glue the foamboard to mountboard using EVA glue.

[JKX]

I'm assuming conservatrion is important as you mentiond conservation foam board. There is no such thing in regards to directly mounting artwork and the hedgehog (Roy Rowlands) method does not do that, the artwork is fixed to mount board which is either fitted back in to an aperture it was cut out of or foam board is stuck to that to give a raised effect - and it's just four small squares of it There's a video on Lion's website.

[Justintime]

The alternative to hinging to a fallout would be to pass hinges such as Y hinges through slits cut in the foamboard. Have a look at Annabel Rushton's "Conservation Framing" book which has a chapter on different hinge types and photos of hinging with Y hinges.

[Mary Lever]

Thank you for your help. And finally, if just hinging from the top, is it acceptable to use archival linen tape rather than paper hinging tape as I’ve found that occasionally the paper hinging tape fails with heavier artwork? Many thanks.

[Justintime]

Hi Mary, how is just hinging from the top going to support the sides and bottom of a floated piece and prevent the piece from moving and touching the glass?
Gummed tapes come in many weights. The important point is to always use a hinging tape of lower weight than the weight of the artwork. This is to ensure that in the event of an accident, the hinges will break before the artwork is ripped/damaged. You may well be using a hinging tape that is not strong enough, in which case a higher weighted tape, paper or linen is fine, bearing the above in mind. I would also suggest that you check your technique of applying gummed tape, if the hinges are not holding. In my experience it takes some practice applying just the right amount of water to activate the gum. Too little or too much can both result in failure as can stressing the hinges before they are completely dry.

[Mary Lever]

Very helpful. Thank you. I’ll check the strength of the tape that I use.

[Mary Lever]

I’ve also seen a highly professional framing company use acid-free loops behind the print to attach it to mountboard/foam board. Don’t know whether the GFA would approve if that though?

[Mary Lever]

Sorry GCF I mean

[Justintime]

Yes that is another option. It's not one that I personally favour, but is perfectly acceptable. I have had a piece in for reframing originally framed by Darbyshire framers (who frame for Tracy Emin, Damien Hirst etc) done like this.