10/25/2017
10 things to know before framing a picture:
1. What and why custom framing:
If your framing a poster, a child’s hand print, or fine works of art, custom framing reflects your personal taste and will protect your for generations to come using conservation glass, mats, and backings, sealed with a paper dust cover.
2. Consider the surroundings:
While you should consider the room decor, you don’t want to match the picture to the room at the expense of the picture. Just because the room is blue you don’t need to use blue on the picture especially if there is no blue in it. Keep in mind the decor of the room may change, so you want to frame the picture and enhance the parts of it you like best, you will be much happier with the way it turns out.
3. Choosing matting to enhance the artwork:
Matting is a term used to describe the color material placed around the image within the frame.there is no set rule of width this is a personal choice ( from 1 to 6” remember you will lose 1/4 inch under Frame edge.) Matting serves as a spacer allowing artwork to expand and contract with changing humidity, it will also hold glass away from artwork. It also can change the way a picture looks by pulling out different colors you had not noticed before. Matting makes the overall size of finished piece larger , providing a space for the eye to rest between artwork and frame.
4. An ounce of prevention:
Many times cherished art is damaged prior to arriving at Frame shop because of improper storage. If it’s rolled, such as a poster damage can be done by rubber bands, tape will yellow, paperclips and even squeezing. Make sure the art work is in a folder or protective cover to prevent damage. Laying the piece flat is best to prevent cresses.
5. It’s all in the details:
Sometimes it’s the smallest element that will take your project from ok to something you will display with pride for many years. Adding a fillet-small piece of wooden frame set inside the matting giving it a finished look, or a double matting to bring out more color in the project, or use a special designer or fabric matting to help it standout.
6. Choosing the best frame:
I have between 4 to 5000 Frame styles to choose from, supplied by 9 different companies. They range from rustic -barn board to clay or rusty metal look - to natural bark, woods or stone looking profile-to dramatic or elegant blacks - stylish golds and silver - playful and bold colored profiles, and many more from extreme to in between. Let me help you select the right frame for your project fitting your personality, making it to your specifications.
7: Why archival material?
Some common framing materials such as paper mats and cardboard contain acid that will gradually destroy your item. Using archival material for matting and backings will protect from the damaging effects of time, pollutants in the air that will cause yellowing and deterioration.
8. Mounting your artwork properly:
Dry mounting - a process that bonds the oil painting, photographs or print to a board to prevent bubbling or waving. This process should not be used on historical piece or pieces of value, as it can effect the resale value
Museum mounts- known as hinging, this is a process which attaches the art work to the back board allowing it to hang freely, expanding or contracting as needed. This is recommended for original art or irreplaceable items.
Stitching- crochet items should be stitched in place, and held away from glass by a mat or spacers rather than glued in place or using glass to hold it. Glue can discolor and damage stitches, the rubbing of the glass can cause friction damage.
9. Choosing glazing:
Glazing refers to the glass covering your project. I carry 5 variations
- regular clear this the lease expensive way to protect your project used for items you only want for a short time.
- reflection control this is also a less expensive but it to is just for short term use this glass can blur items if there is a space between it and item. This is used to cut back on glare but does not prevent fading from sun or overhead lights.
-Conservation clear this glass has been chemically coating specially formulated to help filter 99% UV light, to prevent fading caused not only by the sun but overhead lights as well.
-Conservation anti-reflective glass helps with glare caused by sun at lights it also has been formulated to filter out 99% UV light.
-Museum glass -filters all damaging rays and will not distort your project, it looks as though you could touch the project.
10. Finding the right framer:
A good framer will guide you through the process, listening to you and asking questions so you get a finished project you will be proud of. They should explain why they are making certain recommendations. Feel free to disagree, it’s your project not theirs.
Taking a project and making it reflect you and your unique personality is what custom framing is all about. You don’t want to walk into a friends house an see the same item on her wall. Remember your only limitation is your imagination.
LET FRAME CONNECTION MAKE YOUR MEMORIES INTO ART.
