Urban Art Association

Which tape specifically? I've spoken to a local framer who's been framing for over 20 years and pasty of the fine art guild who says he uses double sided tape, saying everything he does is completely reversible and non destructive. This thread is a mixture of people saying to never use tape while others say it's not a problem..?

If he's been using double sided tape for 20 years he very well could have been doing it wrong for 20 years. I'd ask him what sort of double-sided tape he is using and what does he mean by reversible? Can he remove the tape and the adhesive without leaving any adhesive residue behind and without damaging the paper?

From the Fine Art Trade Guild website:

"Fine Art Trade Guild framing standards continue to state that no self-adhesive tape is permissible for attaching artwork in conservation framing and that this should apply to the framing of limited edition prints of moderate to high value. The Guild would like to thank manufacturers and trade suppliers who have cooperated with the positioning of these tapes in their marketing and labeling, to clarify their position within Guild standards."

The guild publishes and maintains the standards for the framing industry.

Source: www.fineart.co.uk/standards/Tapes_Adhesives.aspx

There's no conservation tape that's trivial to remove, in that none will simply peel off without the risk of tearing or leaving residue behind, but some are easier than others. All require the appropriate solvent for the adhesive - looked at from that point of view, water-based adhesives are 'easier' since water is more readily available than specialised materials. But the removal will always require great care. Best to practice on scrap stock first, before trying it on real art.

That tape is for sealing gaps at the back of the frame to prevent dust/insects from getting in.

Oh if only it were that easy!

You'll hate me for saying this, but if you're going to frame your own I'd suggest you do some reading up and learn about the various approaches, then you can make your own informed decision based on the art in question, your expectations for it and your aptitude for the techniques involved. It's complicated.

But if you really want to just go for it - and I offer this without knowing whether its suitable for your purposes - you could try something like this:


www.ukpictureframingsupplies.co.uk/gummed-acid-free-conservation-archival-mounting-and-hinging-tape-24mm-wide-sold-per-metre-165-p.asp

That site has lots of tapes - have a look and see if they have somethhing you prefer the look of. The PH7-70 self-adhesive is easier to assemble (harder to remove), and will be okay for low to low-moderate value art -which is not to say I disagree with what others have said about self-adhesive tapes, but PH7-70 is conservation-rated and I wouldn't be scared to use it.

Whatever you use, go careful - don't use too much tape or water, you shouldn't need more than a couple of strips of tape and you only need to attach about 5mm to the back (always and only the back) of the artwork - and I'll say it again, practice first on something that doesn't matter!

There's some decent information here:



www.thesouthgatestudio.com/harlequin/myths-hinging.pdf

I've found a lot of this confusing too so not sure which to recommend, but here is a link to the Japanese mulberry tape:

www.preservationequipment.com/Catalogue/Conservation-Materials/Paper-Board/Japanese-Papers/Mulberry-Japanese-Hinging-Paper

It's like hen's teeth.

Just wanted to say thank you for the videos! How helpful, I've also been framing some of my prints on my own and this give me more confidence to try some more techniques.  For the most part Ive been floating with Archival mounting strips, but you can still see the clear plastic holding the print in place.  Time to step it up to mulberry paper, though I've managed to go adhesive free so far.

Well aren’t you a chatterbox tonight!

You could try a corner very carefully and see if it comes off as it is. Some tapes require soaking, but when I say soaking it is a very limited amount of water that is required. If in doubt give it to your framer for ease of mind

It will almost definitely need a solvent. 100% take it to a framer or conservator; otherwise there's a good chance you'll wreck it.

+1 for Zest It.

Use a very soft brush and take your time and the tape will come off a treat. This stuff should remove all adhesive residue too.

I've used it a lot and it works perfectly.

Take it to Tim at Darbyshires.

He'll get Sarah to look at it who is the best restorer around. I wouldn't trust my prints in anybody else's hands.

As stated

Use Zest it... & you can do it yourself, no problem.