Backing on framed canvas

KLRathbun · #1 01-16-2012, 02:53 PM

I am considering taking my painting to a framer that's new in town and has great prices. I asked a few questions about how they frame, and they are proud of how many clips they use, and said they do not cover the back of the framed painting with paper. Is that usual these days, or might they be cutting corners in order to offer the low prices? Should I care?
Karen

Steve Collins · #2 01-17-2012, 02:22 AM

Adding paper on the back is mostly just cosmetic, but it is fairly standard, especially in the US. As a rule, our shop covers the back with paper on everything except for canvas on stretchers. In that case, access to the keys used to tighten or loosen the stretchers takes precedence over looks, though we will add paper if the customer would rather we do so in that case too. In the case of strainers, which can't be adjusted, there's no reason to not use paper.

BTW, we avoid strainers whenever possible for the simple reason that they don't allow for adjustments.

FramerDave · #3 01-17-2012, 11:19 AM

Maybe not cutting corners, but definitely advocating outdated practices. The old ideas about a canvas needing to "breathe" have been very well refuted and should be dead by now.

A painting on canvas should be framed with a rigid backing behind it. Among the benefits to this:

It keeps the back of the canvas clean and free of dust. An accumulation of dust over time can abrade the canvas and will hold moisture against it, which can foster the growth of mold and mildew.
It provides a good deal of protection against accidental punctures or dents.
It prevents insect infestation behind the canvas.
It provides a bit of an "air cushion" which will help lessen canvas flexing that can cause cracking and other damage over time.

Once the rigid backing is in place a dust cover is optional, but it does help improve the appearance of the back.

Oh, and do not cut "ventilation holes" in the backing or dust cover. They're not needed and only serve to provide a very convenient place for bugs to get into a nice dark safe home.

KLRathbun · #4 01-17-2012, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the advice. What do you use for the rigid backing, and how is it held in place?
Karen

Quote:

Originally Posted by FramerDave

Maybe not cutting corners, but definitely advocating outdated practices. The old ideas about a canvas needing to "breathe" have been very well refuted and should be dead by now.

A painting on canvas should be framed with a rigid backing behind it. Among the benefits to this:

It keeps the back of the canvas clean and free of dust. An accumulation of dust over time can abrade the canvas and will hold moisture against it, which can foster the growth of mold and mildew.
It provides a good deal of protection against accidental punctures or dents.
It prevents insect infestation behind the canvas.
It provides a bit of an "air cushion" which will help lessen canvas flexing that can cause cracking and other damage over time.

Once the rigid backing is in place a dust cover is optional, but it does help improve the appearance of the back.

Oh, and do not cut "ventilation holes" in the backing or dust cover. They're not needed and only serve to provide a very convenient place for bugs to get into a nice dark safe home.

FramerDave · #5 01-17-2012, 03:50 PM

The material used for backing could be a number of different materials, depending on size, budget, etc. On a small canvas, say in the 8x10 range, a piece of 4-ply matboard would work. On something larger, budget allowing, 8-ply matboard would be great. On a budget, foam board, acid-free or not, could be used.

For me, fluted polyporopylene, commonly known as Coroplast, is fantastic. It's lightweight, rigid, very puncture resistant, waterproof and pretty inexpensive. Sign shops and good art supply stores usually carry it.

Ideally the backing would be screwed into the back of the stretcher bars; that way the canvas will always have protection even if it is removed from a frame. Oversized holes are cut for screws, and then the backing is attached to the stretcher bars with screws and washers. The oversized holes allow for the canvas to be keyed out in the future, and then the backing can be put back on without the need for new screwholes.

Failing that, the backing can just be placed behind the stretched canvas, and then held in place along with the artwork with the usual offset clips or points.

If desired, a paper dustcover can then be applied to make everything look nice and neat.

DaveMak · #6 01-17-2012, 05:48 PM

Like FramerDave said, since he covered every point so well.

KLRathbun · #7 01-19-2012, 01:31 AM

Much appreciated, FramerDave! All this was new to me. I'm sure the information will be useful for others here, as well.
Karen

ddattler · #8 02-08-2012, 05:12 PM

The original purpose of paper backing was as a dust cover behind glassed work.
As long as there are Picture framers out there, you'll hear arguements for and against it, on an unglassed piece of art. Some will tell you that insects use to be a problem when Canvas was primed with organic glues (Rabbitskin Glue etc; which Silverfish love). Fortunately, with all of the newer acrylic and synthetic canvas primers, insects infestations are almost non-existent these days.

I leave the decision to my customer. But I point out that it doesn't cost allot to add an attractive, protective, screwed, double taped, or otherwise attached piece of foamcore, coroplast, or even cardboard backing.

Don

FramerDave · #9 02-13-2012, 10:27 AM

Insect infestation is only one of the factors that come into play when putting a rigid backing on a canvas.

**!becca** · #10 08-25-2012, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the info here, it is very timely for me...now I need to order some matboard..

**!becca** · #11 08-26-2012, 09:01 AM

Here is an afterthought...does this information pertain to oil paintings?

DaveMak · #12 08-28-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !becca

Here is an afterthought...does this information pertain to oil paintings?

Yes, oil or acrylic paintings on stretched canvas.

FramerDave · #13 09-07-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMak

Yes, oil or acrylic paintings on stretched canvas.

I'll take that one step further and say anything on stretched canvas. Oil, acrylic, giclee printing, mixed media, etc.

john22 · #14 10-10-2012, 03:03 PM

I purchased a couple of the nice looking open back type frames at Hobby Lobby to use for standard dept stretched canvases. When I set the canvas in them they still stick out about 3/8" in the back though. These will be sent to a juried art show and I want them to look well done, but don't want to spend a small fortune on framing either. Is this normal for them to still stick out this far in the back, or is it because I am buying pre-made frames instead of custom make ones. Would it work to cover over just the stretched canvas part now with paper or what is best in this case?

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