Can you get UV-protected plexi glass?

Hello Sailorsv13,

If you would like to save on framing go to your local art store when they have a sale going, And you can buy framed prints for 20 or 30 bucks, And use the frame the print came in for your cel art.Try to find one that has matting close to the size of your cel or drawing and the right color.
Some of them come with glass in them ,You can change it for plexi,The plexi is at homedepot and they will cut it to the size you need for your frame.Then add the UV tint film.
Try to stay away from wood frames as they are very acidic and can harm your cels or drawings,Try to use plastic or metal frames.
If you buy painted frames try not to get super glossy painted frames as they tend to get lots of small scratches all over them over time.
When your done you have a very nice frame for about 50 or 60 bucks and save yourself about 100 to 250 bucks.
Bonus:If the print was nice enough you can keep it or sell it on ebay to pay for the plexi-glass.
I hope this helps some!

Roy

Note: You need to pick up a roll of framers tape,I use 'Scotch'by 3M Photo & Document Tape, It is double sided to mount your cel or drawing and it is acid free and safe to use and most of all it is removable if needed so it will not get glue all over your cel like reg tape will.

Thank you Roy ^.^
That sounds like something I should go with. What is even better...hehe...is that my part-time job is in the home department of a retail store. Customers often accidently break the glass of our frames and we are supposed to destroy them...however I am able to purchase them for only a dollar! Hehehe Who needs the glass anyway? Certainly not this cel collector who wishes to use plexi glass! LOL

Unfortunately we haven't had any metal frames with broken glass...sigh. Will have to wait patiently.

One more question, have you ever tried a "floating frame" before and just replace the glass w/ plexi? They are kind flimsy but very cheap and look pretty cool w/ cels in them. But I don't want to use them for sure until I consult my fellow cel framing guru's!

~ Bri ~

If your talking about the type of frames that have glass on both sides and the art is inbetween them?
They look nice but if the glass is smashing the cel this is not a good thing,now if you could somehow put spacers between the glass it would work fine,heck you could just put a matte on the front and back and float the cel inbetween them,that would work very nice.
good luck on your framing quest!

Roy

Hey Roy,

One more question for ya ^_~ You mentioned that the acid in wooden frames could definitely harm the cel. Does it make a difference if the cel is framed in a cel bag? I was wondering if the bag might protect the cel or maybe the bag would eventually get worked on by the acid and need replaced every once in a while? Thanx!

~ Bri ~

Hiya Bri,

You can use wood frames but you have to take extra care in the matting,You need to seal the cel inbetween the mattes so the edge will not let air in from the sides,You need the full back matte uncut,The front of the matte smashed to the glass will seal the front.
As long as the art does not touch any of the wood and you use full mattes your art should be ok.
If you use a cel bag you still have to every 4 or 5 years change it out for a new one,Also if you use a bag make sure the bag does not touch the glass as it will stick by static cling and make the frame job look bad.
If you frame a cel with a background be it real or a copy cut a cel bag the same size as your cel and place one sheet on the back of the cel to keep it from sticking.
I know some folks when framing a cel with background will always use the whole cel bag and frame them with the bag on the cel to protect the cel from the BG dust and to keep it from sticking,This sounds like a very good idea to me.
I hope some of this helps you out?

Roy