Framing
Tintype Framing
Here’s a few ideas for displaying your tintype image but please feel free to get creative for how you’d like to show yours. People have mounted them to pieces of wood, old metal or placed them in old family frames.
The image is made of a fine layer of silver deposited on a metal plate and is mostly impervious to light. However I do not recommend placing them in direct sun for extended periods which may cause UV damage.
Begin framing by using small sticky velcro squares in each corner to attach the tintype to some black matting, wood or whatever surface you would like to use.
Then inserted into a frame. You may choose to use glass or just leave the tintype open. If using glass I’d suggest finding some “museum glass” it comes with an anti reflective coating.
Make sure to use a spacer between the mat board and the glass so there’s an air gap between the face of the tintype and the glass otherwise your image could stick and tear if it’s ever removed.
Ambrotype Framing
Ambrotype images have the silver image deposited on the back side of the glass and then coated with a black lacquer. This lacquer protects the image from oxygen and the environment but is delicate and easily scratched. Included with your ambrotype is a thin polyester sheet which should be placed behind the ambrotype before placing a sheet of wood or plastic over the back to hold the image into the frame.
The front of your ambrotype is glass and can be cleaned with windex, vinegar or whatever your mother suggested you clean windows with. No additional glass needs to be placed over the front of your ambrotype.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you come up with a beautiful framing solution, I’d love to see a photo!
Giles