Flat File Corner - Tips, Questions, Answers, Etc.

[thriftypix]

My addiction hasn't gotten to the point of needing a flat file. Is it ok to keep my prints between two foam boards and what would be the proper way to do so? The inked sides facing away from or towards each other and how many can I place between each set of foam boards?

You can use a foam board sandwich.

So, it goes like this...

foam board
kraft paper
glassine
print
glassine
print
glassine
print
kraft paper
foam board

Then use bulldog clips to keep them together.

Looks good to me. Except I would not store prints anywhere near kraft paper. It's quite acidic. Fine for protecting posters and prints in a tube and that's about it. Not sure why you really need that extra layer of paper anyway. But if so, you could always use 30x40 acid-free tissue or watercolor paper.

For flattening and/or storing my big prints, here's what I do:

acid-free foam board
acid-free unbuffered tissue (buffered is not necessary)
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
acid-free foam board

Large, heavy-duty document clips

[silentbob82]

My addiction hasn't gotten to the point of needing a flat file. Is it ok to keep my prints between two foam boards and what would be the proper way to do so? The inked sides facing away from or towards each other and how many can I place between each set of foam boards?

Looks good to me. Except I would not store prints anywhere near kraft paper. It's quite acidic. Fine for protecting posters and prints in a tube and that's about it. Not sure why you really need that extra layer of paper anyway. But if so, you could always use 30x40 acid-free tissue or watercolor paper.

For flattening and/or storing my big prints, here's what I do:

acid-free foam board
acid-free unbuffered tissue (buffered is not necessary)
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
print
acid-free unbuffered tissue
acid-free foam board

Large, heavy-duty document clips

Acid free Unbuffered tissue? Is that the same as glassine? What really is the difference?

[appletree]

Not sure, but I use acid free tissue from amazon sometimes. Other times I use glassine. Just depends on the piece and what is at the top of the drawer/pile of stuffz. I think both are fine....obviously tissue is not as resilient as glassine.

[jcbudny]

It's good having a flat file for sure, but the problem is is that you buy a print, it arrives, you look at it and smile and then put it in your drawer and that's it til you put another print in there and go 'wow, didn't realise I had that'.

Love this, so true! Wish there was a safe and economical way to display prints. Like a home version of those poster kiosks at big box stores where they have like 20 flipable black framed displays. Would be nice to see more of my art on a regular basis.

[appletree]

It's good having a flat file for sure, but the problem is is that you buy a print, it arrives, you look at it and smile and then put it in your drawer and that's it til you put another print in there and go 'wow, didn't realise I had that'.

Love this, so true! Wish there was a safe and economical way to display prints. Like a home version of those poster kiosks at big box stores where they have like 20 flipable black framed displays. Would be nice to see more of my art on a regular basis.

Well I have NO room to talk, but the problem is solved in buying less art, ensuring the art you buy is being framed and permanently (within reason) in the collection, spending the money saved on framing, and overall having a quality over quantity thing. Unfortunately it is difficult when on this site often and you have a love for art, because you (I) ended up buying more art and then it is like, oh no money for framing...

[thriftypix]

Acid free Unbuffered tissue? Is that the same as glassine? What really is the difference?

Sorry for the delay in responding. There are two types of tissue: buffered and unbuffered. Buffered tissue is impregnated with 2-5% calcium carbonate. Not necessary for short-medium storage of prints and posters printed on acid-free stock (which almost all are these days). Regular acid-free unbuffered is the way to go and less expensive. And it is not the same as glassine.

[Sithlord32]

It's good having a flat file for sure, but the problem is is that you buy a print, it arrives, you look at it and smile and then put it in your drawer and that's it til you put another print in there and go 'wow, didn't realise I had that'.

Love this, so true! Wish there was a safe and economical way to display prints. Like a home version of those poster kiosks at big box stores where they have like 20 flipable black framed displays. Would be nice to see more of my art on a regular basis.

Well I have NO room to talk, but the problem is solved in buying less art, ensuring the art you buy is being framed and permanently (within reason) in the collection, spending the money saved on framing, and overall having a quality over quantity thing. Unfortunately it is difficult when on this site often and you have a love for art, because you (I) ended up buying more art and then it is like, oh no money for framing...

But framing a print is consumption not preservation. No matter how much wall space is available preservation is still going to be desired and needed.

On another note. The kraft paper needs to go unless it is acid free use the glassine or watercolor paper if you want extra protection. Also instead of clips I use a acid free masking tape to tape my foam boards together. It peels off nicely and its easier to stack the foam matting that way.

[jms52023]

Just getting a collection started and this thread saved me a ton of time and money. Thanks!

[appletree]

Wow! That makes my day. Very happy to hear that and thanks for coming in to say hello.

Stick around and save spend some money, your wallet/gf/bf/wife/husband, will love you even more. Buy a flat file and the love will continue to blossom!

[666ways2love]

I'm trying to find some flat files for my girlfriend so she can store her personal artwork, sketches, moments of inspiration. She doesn't have a whole lot of space so I was thinking of something that could go under the bed. I've seen that Safco makes portable flat files out of cardboard and wood. Wondering if anyone has experience with those or has other suggestions. Thanks in advance

[opalis121]

I'm trying to find some flat files for my girlfriend so she can store her personal artwork, sketches, moments of inspiration. She doesn't have a whole lot of space so I was thinking of something that could go under the bed. I've seen that Safco makes portable flat files out of cardboard and wood. Wondering if anyone has experience with those or has other suggestions. Thanks in advance

I have minimal space (NYC apartment living) and have found that having a large flat file would be too much in my space. I really like the archival storage boxes by archival methods for my prints/artwork--they are made out of all archival/conservation grade materials, are really sturdy and take up less space/are more configurable.

http://www.archivalmethods.com/category ... edge-boxes

[Vipero96]

It's good having a flat file for sure, but the problem is is that you buy a print, it arrives, you look at it and smile and then put it in your drawer and that's it til you put another print in there and go 'wow, didn't realise I had that'.

Love this, so true! Wish there was a safe and economical way to display prints. Like a home version of those poster kiosks at big box stores where they have like 20 flipable black framed displays. Would be nice to see more of my art on a regular basis.

Go to YouTube. Search "backing to the future chapter 1". Check the videos, chapters 1, 2, and 3. Look at how he's displaying individually his hundreds of "not framed and hung" movie posters. I contacted Dan, learned what he did, and added my own mods to the process for a much less expensive, practical, and, as far as I know, completely safe way to display ALL of my 27x41 movie posters (about 120) in a stack against a wall, taking up a space of approx. 28"W x 42"H x 30"D - and whereby I (and friends) can just flip through and see pretty much every poster I have (that's not framed on the wall), in about 5 minutes. I've started doing the same thing with my new screen print pieces. If anyone's interested, I can post instructions and pictures of what the final product looks like, cost, etc....

[theperfecttree]

^ I'm interested...

[Petro]

Yes, please share. I really couldn't tell how he did it from the videos.

[dodgers77]

Anybody store there prints in a portfolio? Any recommendations would be appreciated