Shadow box frame
From Silvergrain Labs
For large prints, especially when the most formal presentation is not preferred, shadow box frame is a good option.
Left: A print is mounted on the backing board without windowed matte, but some space is made between the glass and the print.
Right: Backing board is 3/4 in. behind the glass, and is held by strips of acid-free foam core of 3/4 in. width, held in place by pressure-sensitive adhesive.
In this example, the frame is 24x24 in., and the print is 20 in. square. The fiber print is mounted to the backing board using two S-hinges at the two top corners behind the print. Hinges are made from thick archival vellum stock, glued to the print margin on the back with wheat starch paste. The hinges go through the slits made on the backing board, and glued on the back of the backing board with PVA glue. The slits are closed with archival Tyvek tape.
Wooden frame is the best
The shadow box can be made with metal frame or wooden frame, but wooden frame is much more flexible and easier to work with than aluminium frames. This is partly because the backing board can be held at any depth, while with metal frame, the depth at which you can hold the backing board is predetermined by the frame design.
The backing board is held from the back by either of these methods:
- Offsets and screws
- Brad nails or metal inserts
Using offsets, the backing board is secured by wood screws. This requires a minimal tool investment (a screwdriver) but the amount of labor is considerable. I prefer to use rigid inserts or brad nails, fitted with a Logan Fitting Tool F400-1 (about $35 retail). This is the cheapest hand tool that works well and easily enough for repetitive use.
Materials shown in the picture
The frame used in the picture is 24 inch square frame made by Q Picture Frames (Artists Supply) in Antique Sivler color. They also make frame in 22x30 size, and also in matte black frame.
The backing board is 3/16" thickness acid-free foam core board, suitable for archival purposes, with slightly matted pearl or very light cream color.
