how to protect this "poster"

[masraum]

This thing is 3'x6'. The poster is pretty delicate paper at this point. My son bumped it or something and tore it where the seam for the backing is. I guess i could glue something over the seam on the back to fuse the two together. I'd also like to put something over the front to protect it from the dogs tail or stuff. What ideas do you guys have to protect this but still allow for aesthetic display? Some way to put a plexiglass cover over the entire front?

[Don Ro]

Depending on what you're willing to spend, I'd consider putting a precision-cut sheet of glass over that - just inside of the frame edge.
Then miter some matching wood to hold the glass.

[Hugh R]

I have several art items in plexiglas boxes that I had custom made. I think a 3' by 3' box 2" deep was around $100.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I have several art items in plexiglas boxes that I had custom made. I think a 3' by 3' box 2" deep was around $100.

What sort of place did you get them made? A sign place or ...?

[Hugh R]

A plexiglas shop in Burbank, ca. Try googling plexiglas in your hood. Not an arts and craft or picture framing place.

[vash]

mount it on the wall, and use cool architectural spacers and mount a piece of UV glass in front of it?

[masraum]

Excellent, thanks tons! I suspect I'll find a place without any problem.

[Eric Coffey]

I would build up a larger offset matte border (creating more depth/distance between the artwork and the frame/glass surface). Then, as mentioned, use acrylic plexiglass sheet instead of actual glass. It is lighter, easier to work with (cut), shatter-proof, and is available with MUCH better UV blocking and anti-glare properties than standard glass. No blue/green color-cast either, which you can get with glass. I would probably stick with acrylic (Lucite) over polycarb (Lexan) as well.

If you want to DIY it, any plastics shop should be able to provide the material you need. I've dealt with Laird Plastics and TAP Plastics for poly/acrylic sheets before, and both have several US locations, and can also ship.

If you want someone else to handle it, call a local frame shop. Just be prepared for the jewelry-like mark-up pricing.

[masraum]

Thanks for the input. Some UV protection would be nice. It's probably not a terribly valuable poster. My parents brought it back from Spain. I think it's cool. It's got a wooden frame that it's mounted to. Some sort of plexiglass seems like the best because of the weight of something large enough to encase or cover something nearly the size of a door.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by masraum

Thanks for the input. Some UV protection would be nice. It's probably not a terribly valuable poster. My parents brought it back from Spain. I think it's cool. It's got a wooden frame that it's mounted to. Some sort of plexiglass seems like the best because of the weight of something large enough to encase or cover something nearly the size of a door.

Oh, I just noticed the size. Disregard my sugg.
I like the box idea. Makes it appear really special - which I assume it is to you.

[Bill Douglas]

2mm picture frame glass. I used to be a professional picture framer.

[Don Ro]

What's a "picture frame glass."?

[Bill Douglas]

It's just like window glass but thinner. Don't ever use that non reflective stuff. Normal glass tends to accentuate colors and sharpness whereas non reflective does the opposite. Glass suppliers will know what you are talking about if you ask for picture frame glass.

[Don Ro]

OIC. Yes, picture frame glass is quite thin, I've noticed.
Good to know - Thanks.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

It's just like window glass but thinner. Don't ever use that non reflective stuff. Normal glass tends to accentuate colors and sharpness whereas non reflective does the opposite. Glass suppliers will know what you are talking about if you ask for picture frame glass.

I'm thinking that really thin glass that is 3'x6' sitting at floor level with dogs and vacuum cleaners around sounds dangerous and easily broken.