Concentrate on making gorgeous framing jobs with craftsman-like, perfect corners. It's the front that counts, put your money and effort where it shows. Those involved in framing have been going around in circles about the canvas back/no-back question for eons, so I will not say anything more about it except that I am a non-backer which is one of the advantages of mounting on Gator: backing is irrelevant. Data point...without exception all the big name, fine art painters I know do not back their $4-figure+ canvases.
If you must back, try the Tyvek products designed for the purpose. Almost puncture proof. Of course, a properly assembled, paper-backed frame is puncture proof too, if the framer does the right thing and fills out the back of the art package with spare matte board etc so it is flush with the back edges of the frame, and therefore finger-puncture proof. But Tyvek gives you more leeway. And can't say enough bad things about ATG tape for any imaginable framing purpose intended for display anywhere except Joe's Java Joint. Properly applied backing should be glued to the frame if you want it to last.
Bill,
Your snarky comments roused my curiosity and so I spent some time at the Grumble (
www.thegrumble.com) where I did not find one disparaging comment about using ATG or Kraft paper as a dust cap on the back of a frame. In fact, according to a survey there, the majority use Kraft paper and a lot, perhaps most also use ATG. Here is a typical thread on the topic:
http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?32942-What-are-you-using-for-backing-paper-Dust-coverHere is the most recent survey of theirs I found:
Which BACKING PAPER do you generally use? Sep/Oct 2011, Sept 2008 (176 participants 2011, 190 participants 2008)
9/2011 9/2008 6/2004
38.07% 35% 45% Brown kraft paper
32.39% 37% 56% Black kraft paper
16.48% 17% 36% Blue Lineco/ph buffered paper
3.98% 03% 06% Tape
2.27% 03% 11% Tyvek
1.14% 01% 02% Blue kraft paper
0.57% 01% 00% Fabric. Cambrick, etc
0% 01% 05% Decorative Paper
2.27% 01% 02% OTHER: See forum
2.84% 01% 02% None/does not apply
http://www.custompictureframing.com/poll_results.htmWhile I didn’t read everything the grumble has to offer, the closest to a negative comment I came across was one person who stated that if ATG receives direct sunlight it will loosen the bond. Of course, not a lot of sunlight reaches the back of most framed works. Many senior members there stated they have used ATG and Kraft paper for decades for this exact purpose. Some argued for white or other glues instead of ATG because it costs less. The cost issue is no doubt true, but it is waaay more difficult to place something over glue without smearing the glue, and on a 6 to 8 foot long work the dust cover is going to move around before it is placed correctly.
So I’m wondering, if you wish to share, what it is about ATG and Kraft paper that motivated the snarky comment?
BTW it is not easy to puncture 75lb Kraft paper.