As you leave your college years behind you, there are a few things you make a point to change as you grow older. You now (hopefully) shower on a more regular basis, eat multiple food groups and ditched your hip movie poster collection and those flimsy plexiglass frames. But are they really so bad? We're not so convinced!
The idea of framing your art behind glass feels nice, right? Clean, sophisticated, it makes everything sparkle and feel official. Sure! And why not, it's a great product. If you're looking to keep specific artwork or prints in an archival state, then it's usually the first choice (though UV plexi can be found now). But unless you plan on passing down a piece to your children's children's children, then the extra measure really isn't needed.
You can pick up glass and plexi alike that's anti-glare which can be a nice touch when your artwork is faced with spot lights or other direct lighting to make it seen, but aside from those two options, glass really just weighs things down and runs the risk of shattering the next time you move.
Plexi might seem like the "college-esque" option, but in all reality, there's no reason for it. You can buy it online and from many local hardware stores (though some might have to order out for it) and it can often provide the protection you need at a cost that's right. It's only real downfall is the ability to scratch. Though unless you're ice skating on it, you should be safe.
You can find both plexi and glass in anti-glare formats which can be nice when they're under harsh spot lighting, but since you can choose either one now? Which one gets your vote?
What do you use to keep your photos and artwork framed? Are you a fan of cool crisp glass? Or smooth and sleek plexi? Let us know in the comments below!
Image: Flickr member Leonski licensed for use by Creative Commons
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hate hate hate hate hate the "touch" of plexi. And yes, scratching is a MAJOR issue. Give me glass any day.
Plexi is a no for me. I've known it to yellow, and that doesn't complement my artwork.
When I do DIY framing, I usually pick up plexiglass to fit my frame kit, though it's more for fear of earthquakes than anything else these days!
Glass is the only way to go in my opinion. Plexi looks cheap and cheapens the print. If you spend anywhere from hundred's to thousand's on photography prints as I have, it must be glass.
Plexiglass is actually sometimes much better for artwork because glass is non-porous and in high humidity, this can cause condensation on the inside of your artwork! Plexiglass is porous and lets your artwork breathe avoiding the condensation and eventual demise of your cherished prints and/or artwork.
Plus, plexiglass is much lighter than glass, won't break as easily and can easily be coated to avoid the yellowing affect mentioned by someone above.
Oh, and I'm not sure where some of these people are getting their plexiglass from, but framing quality plexiglass is not cheap-looking nor cheap; it's high quality that looks just as crisp & clear as glass and costs almost twice as much as glass.
neither! eeeeeeeew.
All the framed pieces in my shop are covered with UV resistant Plexiglas for its reliable archival qualities.
There's nothing worse than watching an antique piece of paper slowly fade from ambient light simply because you wanted it displayed.
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The static in plexiglass will lift media like charcoal, pastels, and graphite right off the paper. It won't suck it off instantly, like magic. It will be more like a slow science project.
I try not to have either... but that means I have to hang my "good" paintings and prints in safer places. (Away from light, the kitchen, elbows/bumping, etc.)
good quality plexiglass is better than glass--it's clearer w/ less distortion. museums use high quality plexi & it has better uv qualities & protects the art. those who call plexi cheap need to distinguish between plastic & museum quality plexi.
One nice perk to plexi is that if the work does fall or get jabbed with something, there's no jagged pieces of class to cut up the artwork. Yes, this sadly did happen to a friend of mine.
I usually opt for UV Plexi whenever I have something framed. I always send things out to be framed and never try to do it myself. Framers have the equipment to make sure my piece is archival and dust-free.
it depends upon the artwork!
yeah i was gonna say - quality plexi is not cheap. whenever i've made pieces that needed to be framed i always had to get glass for "budget" reasons. high quality plexi is better than glass.
I've worked in several museums where the protector of choice is Plexi. It being uv filtered and virtually unbreakable is top priority. Also it being lighter weight and anti-glare are a bonus. We haven't had any trouble with yellowing before, but no, we aren't buying the cheap stuff I guess.
We use both.
You can buy high quality plexiglass that has similar qualities to real glass. Plus you don't have the worries of it breaking and destroying expensive or irreplaceable artwork.
I have a bunch of posters from the Guthrie Theater that I'm considering framing, and I've been stuck on frameless plexi lately. Though once I do have some "real art", I'll go with glass.
High quality plexi all the way. Like ebarrett3, I also work in the art world and see almost plexi exclusively.
I work in a cultural institution and we glaze with high quality Plexiglas. OP-3 is great for just UV-filtering. Optium is anti-glare and is also anti-static (for friable media, which should be matted in a deep sink mat as well) but is finicky to keep clean - it shows fingerprints very easily. For myself, I'd only use glass for small picture frames, or if I knew that I was never going to move again.
Plexi frames are lighter than glass, and as a renter I can't make huge holes in the walls to hang large framed artwork. So plexi gets my vote!
as an photographer, i have to say high quality plexi.
Plexi is more durable, more protective of harsh light, and though it doesn't seem like an issue in this context, it's also lighter, which helps when the images travel. However, good plexi is quite expensive...
Plexi must have evolved since my museum days -- back then it was verboten for a number of reasons, including yellowing, static, and scratching, plus the ill-effects of amonia glass cleaners.
Sounds as though more recent experience with better plexi is a different experience. So I'd say just make sure you are getting the newer, better plexi! And if possible, an archival mat to create air space between the plexi and the artwork. (Art on paper, of course. Oil paintings, acrylic paintings, and similar items should not be covered with either glass or plexi, at least normally...
I've worked in along side some framers and conservation glass is the best from what I remember them saying. It's non-glare and super awesome.