Question about Framers Brand vs traditional UV plexiglass

[kam78]

I just ordered some frames from http://www.wholesaleposterframes.com and I noticed they used something proprietary called Farmers Brand Protective Lens Cover, instead of a more traditional cover like non-glare UV plexi.

Here are the specs on the Farmer's Brand http://http://www.framersbrand.com/FBDataSheet.pdf but it's all alien to me. Are there any framing experts out there that can judge the advantages/disadvantages to the farmers lens cover?

I like the site as their prices are 20-30% cheaper than any other online frame store I've found that still seems to use quality materials. I'm just apprehensive about this Farmers lens material.

Here's the Framers description on the main page:

Framers Brand™ protective lens cover is exclusively offered by WholesalePosterFrames.com. This new lens cover was developed in response to our customer’s requests wanting a superior alternative to what was readily available from other frame shops. Our many individual customer’s along with large companies and institutions, wanted to protect their artwork and posters from damaging Ultra Violet (UV) rays.

Besides protection from UV damage we were repeatedly asked about providing a durable light weight unbreakable cover that could be safely cleaned using ordinary window cleaner. After taking these requests into consideration we approached one of the largest plastic manufacturers in the US to see what options were available.

After many months of research and development WholesalePosterFrames.com is proud to introduce Framers Brand™ UV stable protective lens covers. These lens covers are available in both clear and non-glare (Matte) finish.


Besides its UV stable characteristics, the lens cover is virtually unbreakable, and safe to clean with ordinary plastic cleaners. (Available within our accessories area) The lens cover is also fire rated and is self extinguishing making it safe to use in most commercial building applications. We want you to enjoy your poster and frame for many years and that is why we have put in the extra effort to offer you this high performance light weight protective cover.

[FramerDave]

Hard to say. Looks like they took an acrylic product and slapped their brand on it. It's strange that they keep referring to it as a "lens cover" even in the context of framing. The graph look like it provides decent UV protection, but I would ask them how much of the UV energy in the 300-380 nm range it blocks. It should be 97% or better to meet the Standards of the Image Permanence Institute. If they can't or won't give you an answer I would keep shopping.

Also odd that they refer to it as UV stable.

[OnlineFramingNetwork]

Comment From Framers Brand™ Glazing -

Clarity, Strength and UV Protection at an Affordable price. Our answer to years of customers requests.

Our customer's over the years have been concerned with protecting their posters from damaging UV rays while enjoying them while on display. What was the standard and readily available from other frame shops (acrylic/Plexiglas/Styrene) didn’t really offer any UV protection. The traditional UV protected plastic sheet is available but most times extremely expensive and cost prohibitive for most hobbyist. We worked with the engineering department at Sheffield Plastic to develop a proprietary plastic sheet that addressed our customers UV concerns. At the same time, We also wanted to develop a product that we felt superior to acrylic and other commonly used plastic sheet in the framing industry. The product we helped engineer needed to be durable (virtually unbreakable), lightweight, safe to clean using ordinary plastic cleaners, and of course to include UV protection.

The product was developed and is exclusively offered under our Framers Brand™ label and is manufactured by Sheffield Plastics (A division of Bayer Material Science) right here in the USA. Made from a version of their well known Vivak Optical Grade Sheet our Glazing is unique to the industry and is NOT your typical Acrylic.

When viewing the performance Comparison located here: http://framersbrand.com/glazing.htm you can see why Framers Brand™ Enhanced Glazing offers properties that standard framing Acrylics just can't touch.

UV Protection
Vivak A22 Sheet is a transparent copolyeseter
product that can be used to help
protect merchandise, pictures and artwork
by decreasing the transmission of harmful
UV light. This product is easily decorated
by painting, silk screening or hot stamping.

Applications
Poster and photo frames, shelving, greeting
card displays, revolving merchandise racks,
indoor signs, point of purchase displays,
menu boards and slat wall fixtures.

Here are some additional product Specifications:
■UV Clear (Gloss/Gloss): Clear Film side 1 / Clear Film side 2
■UV Non-Glare (Matte/Gloss): Clear Film side 1 / Blue Film side 2
■Thickness: .020 mm - .125 mm (generally .040 - .060 for poster framing)
■Sheet size: 8" x 10" up to 52" x 120"

*For more information view our Product Data Sheet located here: http://framersbrand.com/docs/FBDataSheet.pdf

This product was developed as an affordable answer for customers who are not framing museum pieces, but instead are framing prints that they would like to protect and display for years without the concern of UV Degradation. Our Framers Brand lens covers offer a unique option that we feel is superior to the standard framing materials currently offered. Frames sold using our lens covers are affordable, virtually indestructible, safe to clean with most cleaners, and offer UV protection. They are also Light weight and carry many additional advantages not found in traditional framing components. We feel our product offers added protection and value, without the added cost most times found with these high performance options.

- Framers Brand Products

[simianfever]

I've bought and currently use frames from the site you mentioned on vintage movie posters. While I cannot speak to the accuracy of their statements regarding UV protection I've been more than happy with the quality of the "lens cover".

EDIT: I should also add that I prefer the regular to the non-glare. Like most cases, the non-glare tends to slightly mute colors in addition to not being as clear when viewing on an angle. I have both, but unless you are opposite a window or bright lighting, save the extra loot.

[FramerDave]

Two questions, if you don't mind:

What percentage of the UV radiation in the 300 to 380nm range does your product block?

Why do you refer to it as "lens cover"?

I just noticed something. The Framer's Brand product is described as being .020 to .125mm thick, whereas traditional acrylic products meant for picture framing are 3.0 to 6.0mm thick. If that is accurate, then it's no surprise that it's cheaper, since you're getting less product. With it being that thin, I would be very concerned about it bowing on anything but the smallest artwork.

[misterwhisper]

Do not use this stuff. I've used it before and it's junk. A few years' back, I ordered a sheet of non-glare to fit a 22"x28" standard-sized frame. When it arrived, I immediately noticed two things: how thin it was, and how opaque the matte finish was. The grain of the finish was readily visible to the naked eye, rendering the entire sheet grainy and opaque unless it was right on its subject. In the frame, and with only a single 4-ply window mat, the print was noticeably blurred, and all lines and lettering were rendered indistinct and undefined. But even worse, as FramerDave suspected, it's so thin that it bows in the frame, and within a year the glazing had sagged in the frame so much the bottom half of it had permanently warped and "bubbled" out:

IMG_1400.JPG (56.53 KiB) Viewed 385 times

In the photo above, you can see the permanent warping -- see how the right side defies gravity and lifts up and away even though it's lying flat on the floor? That's where it bubbled out from sagging in the frame. The photograph flattens it out a bit, but if you look at the reflection in the upper right-hand corner, you can see that it's not just curved, but concave: that squiggly line in the reflection is actually the funhouse mirror version of my kitchen counter.

Here is why it warps/distorts so easily. Below I put the glazing on sheet of matboard to illustrate how thin it actually is:

IMG_1412.JPG (65.29 KiB) Viewed 385 times

It's thinner than 4-ply matboard. Hell, it makes 4-ply look like foamcore.

Just for good measure, I flipped it over and took a shot of matte finish:

IMG_1404.JPG (65.46 KiB) Viewed 385 times

Instead of eliminating glare, it just diffuses it across a rough grainy pattern. Even without glare, this sandpaper finish is readily visible over your print. How they're allowed to call it "optical grade" is beyond me.

I ordered the framer's brand from wholesaleposterframes; it cost just under $20. I replaced it with UV acrylite, which cost $15 more but was totally worth it. Stay away from this "lens". It's total crap.

[OnlineFramingNetwork]

Comment From Framers Brand™ Glazing -

"A typical disadvantage to Non-Glare, is that the depth of color and image quality is reduced by an estimated 5%. Our Non-Glare Lens Covers should NOT be used with frame matting. The increased distance away from the image (due to the thickness of the frame matting), will result in additional loss of image quality. Consideration to where the frame will be placed should be given, when weighing out the benefits or drawbacks of upgrading to a Non-Glare Lens Cover when ordering. "

As stated, the product should not be used with frame matting. The product is designed for use in poster frames, where there is no spacing between the cover and backing... and that the product lays flat over the poster. Please be sure that you use the product correctly.

- Framers Brand Products

[FramerDave]

Comment From Framers Brand™ Glazing -

"A typical disadvantage to Non-Glare, is that the depth of color and image quality is reduced by an estimated 5%. Our Non-Glare Lens Covers should NOT be used with frame matting. The increased distance away from the image (due to the thickness of the frame matting), will result in additional loss of image quality. Consideration to where the frame will be placed should be given, when weighing out the benefits or drawbacks of upgrading to a Non-Glare Lens Cover when ordering. "

As stated, the product should not be used with frame matting. The product is designed for use in poster frames, where there is no spacing between the cover and backing... and that the product lays flat over the poster. Please be sure that you use the product correctly.

- Framers Brand Products

What percentage of the UV radiation in the 300 to 380nm range does your product block?

What is the maximum size you recommend the product be used for to avoid the type of bowing shown in the photos above?

[peacedog]

Looks to me like the simple answer is this isn't for any kind of preservation work or anything you care about beyond your mass-produced Justin Bieber posters. They're using a far more generic definition of poster than the silkscreen prints dealt with here on eb.