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Framing Large Images - Plexiglas?


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I need to frame an image that's about 58" wide by 28" high. My plan is to put it in a shadow box so there's no mat and the "glazing" will be free-floating. The exhibition venue requires that I use Plexiglas. My concern is that if I use 1/8" Plexiglas it may warp and look hideous. If I use thicker Plexiglass I'm worried that it will distort the image. Does anyone have any experience with this and any recommendations? Thanks.
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I need to frame an image that's about 58" wide by 28" high. My plan is to put it in a shadow box so there's no mat and the "glazing" will be free-floating. The exhibition venue requires that I use Plexiglas. My concern is that if I use 1/8" Plexiglas it may warp and look hideous. If I use thicker Plexiglass I'm worried that it will distort the image. Does anyone have any experience with this and any recommendations? Thanks.

Google is your friend. Just a quick search and there is a wealth of information on using acrylic or glass, including discussing the glazing. Here's just the first one I came across:

Glass vs. Acrylic for Photography Framing / Frame Destination Inc.

I have no connection to this company, its just the first one on the top of the page.

Good luck!

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I have a couple of similarly large size Ansel Adams posters that were framed using acrylic plastic (Plexiglass). With the right lighting, any warping of the plastic is not noticeable. Using thin glass for this size would be an invitation to breakage and the resultant safety concerns. Also, the density of glass is about twice that of acrylic plastic, so a sheet of glass this big can be quite heavy. 1/8" is actually fairly thick, 1/16" or 3/32" thickness might be better if the corners and sides can be held in place.
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Thank you to both of you. I know the usual trade-offs on glass and Plexi that places like Frame Destination and lots of other websites easily found via Google seem to address. I may not have phrased my question well enough. The real heart of the question is for a shadow box this large will 1/8" Plexiglas work and look good or is there a better solution? The fact that this is a shadow box frame makes things a bit different from the usual because it means the glazing is out there in space rather than being supported, at least near the edges, by the mat, as in a conventional frame. Right at the edge it will be held in place by the shadow box but that's it. Also, the size of this image puts it outside the realm of the usual framing places. I tried Googling for information about shadow boxes and all the information I could find was focused on small "crafty" shadow boxes of the type you might find at Michaels or similar crafts stores, not on framing large-scale art photography. I talked to a place that sells glass and Plexiglas and they did not really like the idea of Plexiglas but didn't have another good option to offer, given that the venue where this is going won't allow glass.
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This place sells large, metal framed, shadow boxes, up to 36"x48". They say that they will do custom framing, but you will probably need a fat wallet.

Large Shadow Boxes | 2" Deep Shadow Boxes 12+ Sizes Free Shipping - at Displays4Sale

 

I calculate that a 58" x 28" x 1/8" sheet of plexiglass will weigh 9.0 lb. (using a density of 76.8 lb/ft-cubed). I think that you will need a supporting frame for this much weight.

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Thanks Glenn. I wish that place revealed what thickness of Plexiglas they use. That would be useful information. I'm also a woodworker so I'm planning to build the shadow box myself. Supporting nine pounds of Plexiglas should not be a problem but that weight is good to know. I've certainly see this done before in museums and galleries so it's just a question of figuring out the right materials.
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