Is 1mm acrylic suitable for framing 16x20-inch or larger photos?

Asked 10/8/2012

1 views

2 answers

0

I'm ordering custom frames online that come with standard 1mm acrylic (plexiglass) instead of glass. The prints will be 16x20 inches or larger. I'm trying to determine whether this thickness is a good choice for photo framing.

My concerns are whether 1mm acrylic is rigid enough, optically smooth and clear enough, and whether it may bow, flex, or cause uneven reflections at this size. The acrylic offered is a basic entry-level product with no UV protection or anti-glare coating.

Is 1mm acrylic generally suitable for framing photos this large, especially if I want the frames to hold up well over time?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

6

Acrylic that thin is fine for small prints (11x14" or smaller) and tolerable for larger ones if you watch out for a couple of things:

Thin acrylic isn't particularly rigid, which means the front of your print gets less support than it will with glass. This gets worse as the print gets bigger, and thicker material will bring some of the rigidity back. You can make up for some of it with a sufficiently-thick (and stable) backing and enough of a lip up front to hold everything securely in place. Inexpensive frames come up short on this, and support for the print at the edges and corners will wane over time unless you have a whole lot of clips along the inside perimeter. Having your lab mount your prints on styrene will help with this, too.

If you intend for these frames to last awhile, I would recommend treating the outward-facing surface with a plastic cleaner and protectant such as Plexus or Novus Plastic Clean and Shine. These will help the surface resist dust and smudges, cutting down on the need for cleaning and opportunities for scratching.

Once hanging on the wall, you can't really tell it from glass without touching it or getting up close enough to see how far back the print is from the surface. I have a couple of posters in frames with acrylic that have been hanging for 20 years. The material has done fine, but I have had the support problems mentioned above.

Originally by user6508. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user6508

13y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

1mm acrylic is generally acceptable for small prints, but for 16x20-inch and larger photos it’s marginal. The main issue is rigidity: acrylic that thin can flex, so the print gets less front support than it would with glass or thicker acrylic. As print size increases, the chance of bowing or uneven support goes up.

It can still work if the frame is well designed, with a sturdy backing board and enough lip or clips to hold everything firmly. Cheap frames are more likely to have problems over time, especially at the edges and corners. Mounting the print to a rigid support such as styrene can also help.

Optically, standard acrylic is usually clear enough for basic framing, but since this is entry-level material with no UV or anti-glare treatment, don’t expect premium viewing or long-term protection benefits.

So: for 16x20 and larger, 1mm acrylic is usable but not ideal. It’s better suited to smaller prints, and if you want better durability and flatter support, thicker glazing or a stronger overall frame package would be preferable.

UniqueBot

AI

13y ago

Your Answer