The Framers Forum

Hi All

Purchased a mounted painted silk today and after quizzing the artist, it seems she has applied double sided tape around the parameter of the silk to get it tight. The remaining protective cover tape on the double sided is then removed so the window mount can be dropped over in place.

The mount is conservation quality but I am not sure what type of tape is used.

But this does not feel right. For peace of mind for the artist any ideas please or the correct way? It is a £20.00 piece so perhaps the proper way is not the right way in this case.

Depending on how much spare silk on the edges you could use the 'Newberry' method. Basically, cut a hole in some foamcore using a straight-sided cut. The hole should be just bigger than the image size. Lay the silk on the dropout piece and align the edges then push the outer part of the foamcore back in place. Mount on top - sorted. Foamcore has a slight 'give' and the core is just rough enough to hold the silk without abrading it. Ideally you need at least 3/4" spare material around the edges.

If it's already had sticky tape on it then it's a bit shutting the stable door though conservationwise.

Thanks Prospero

The Newbury method is a cool way of doing it, but I was thinking more for the artist. She would not want to go to the trouble of doing this method, all she wants to do is to sell her work as a mounted piece of art.

Is the tape method of holding the silk in place all around the parimeter ok if the correct tape was used?

Well.... of course it's up to the artist. But to me there is no correct tape. Any tape would involve applying adhesive to fabric. Adhesives leave residue. If the artist is OK with tape, I would sooner drymount them using drymount film. Pre-mount the film to a board and then a very quick (virtually shut the press and open it again - low pressure/low heat) squeeze to fix the silk.