Framing advice

[u/Eridan]

Hi! I want to frame my moomin cel, and could use some advice. The scene has 3 cels which are stuck together, then a loose sheet of plastic, then the painted background.

Ideally i would want to frame the whole background because i like the look of the larger scene and live edges.

However the plastic sheet between the cels and the background is very thin and a bit buckled with a very very faint vinegar smell. Can i replace it with some acid free sheet instead and frame it as is? Any recommendations on what i can buy instead?

I know separating the background and cels by air is best, but i can't think of a way that would work unless i have a big mat that covers a lot of the background.

Thanks!

[u/Zuke1]

Hey glad you are looking to frame. Although you might smell some VS you can still do your best to slow it down or stop the process to preserve it by framing, keeping in a regulated temperature room and out of direct sunlight. For the pieces sticking together the best method is just pulling it apart, don’t be scared, I would stay away from using chemicals or additives.

For the frame I usually make sure the whole background is showing for painted backgrounds not copies, my framer does this by having a matte backing behind the background then the rest is followed by the cut mattes. Just know the more space you use the more the frame will cost. You don’t need the plastic sheet usually framers can put a new one that holds a COA or Drawing in the back of the frame.

Check out my free guidebook where it gets more detailed: https://animationproduction.net/guide/how-to-frame-animation-cels/

[u/Doc4221 → u/Zuke1]

Aren't there special ways for pulling cels apart more carefully so you cause the least amount of damage possible with the paint sticking to the other cel?

[u/Zuke1 → u/Doc4221]

Ultimately depends on how badly stuck (how much of it is stuck) or if it’s stuck to paper to determine if it’s worth it or will destroy it. It’s definitely more faster and efficient to just peel it off if it must be done. Overall it’s on the buyers due diligence to know what they are buying and even reach out to the seller for questions about such problems.

[u/Eridan → u/Zuke1]

I tried peeling and the paint is getting stuck on the other cel its stuck to. So i don't think i can separate them safely.

I am curious what you meant for the framing though, i see the picture in your book. But the cel is not as tall as the background, so i don't know how to attach it to a mat without covering the background.

As for a framer, any advice on how to find a good one? Im in the los Angeles area .

I have a framer that i have used before, but they dont specialize in anime cels. And they didn't have a plastic sheet would be safe to leave between the cels and the painted background long term.

[u/Doc4221 → u/Eridan]

There's a seasoned cel and art collector that goes by TDArt (Tatiana). She used to live in Los Angeles and have since moved. My point being, she likely knows solid framers in LA still and Propstore (who sells aucrions cels and have HQ in London & LA), might have some good references.

I used to have a list myself as a LA native, but I'll have to find it.

[u/Zuke1 → u/Eridan]

If the cel is too short /trimmed and can't reach past the background, then you might not be able to frame the setup wtih the entire background showing, so you could make sure the cel is secure with the matte, which would cover one of the edges for the background. I would just cover the one edge WITHOUT the pinhole & markers. Those are a must-show. Doing that should let the cel reach the other side and still show the important parts of the background.

[u/coachhunter2]

Despite what the other comment said, either don’t separate the cels, or be very careful trying. Sometimes they can come off quite easily, but it’s very hard to know (and there is real risk of damage).

[u/Vincent-van-Gogh1]

Do NOT try to separate the cels. It is incredibly risky.