TEN TIPS BEFORE FRAMING YOUR PICTURE- What and why to custom frame - whether you are framing a poster, your kid's handprints, or a fine work of art; custom framing will reflect your personal taste and protect your piece for years to come.
- Consider the surroundings - while you should certainly consider the room's decor, you shouldn't match the frame to the room at the expense of what looks good with the picture. Keep in mind that the room decor may change in the future.
- Choose matting to enhance your 'artwork' - matting is the term used to describe the "window-cut" material placed around an image within a frame. They can be made of a variety of materials such as paper, cotton and fabric in a wide range of colours. Mats serve as a spacer allowing the 'artwork' to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Matting makes the overall size of the finished piece larger and provides a space for the eyes to rest between the 'artwork' and the frame.
- An ounce of prevention - many times cherished 'artwork' is damaged prior to arriving at the frame shop because it is improperly stored or transported. Make sure that the 'artwork' is placed in a folder, protective covering, or a tube. To prevent accidental damage, allow us to remove the 'artwork' from its packaging.
- It's all in the details - consider adding another detail. Fillets, bevelled mat treatments, creative window openings, specialty paper or fabric mats can add a distinctive flair to your 'artwork'. We are familiar with these options, and can help you decide what works best with your item. Sometimes it's the smallest element in framing your 'artwork' that makes it stand out.
- Choose the best frame to enhance your 'artwork' - there are thousands of different frame styles and sizes that come in a variety of stains, glazes, and finishes. Our unique design process will help you select the frame that best suits your 'artwork' and have it made to your exact specifications.
- Archival materials protect your 'artwork' - some common framing materials such as paper mats and cardboard contain acid that will gradually destroy your art, and these materials and we do not use these materials. Using archival mats and backing boards will help protect art from the damaging effects of time and from common pollutants that cause yellowing, fading and deterioration.
- Mounting your 'artwork' correctly - the dry and wet mounting processes bond 'artwork' to a board to prevent 'artwork' from bubbling or waving and are most appropriate for posters and photographs. Pieces of any value are generally not dry or wet mounted since these processes are irreversible and can greatly affect any resale value. Museum mounting, commonly known as hinging, attaches the art with paper hinges to the board. The art hangs freely, allowing it to expand or contract with changes in humidity. Hinging or archival photo corners are recommended for original 'artwork', delicate photographs, and other irreplaceable items.
- Choose glazing to protect your 'artwork' - glazing refers to the glass or acrylic material covering the 'artwork' as a means of protection. There are many variations including regular clear glass, anti-reflective (chemically coated), non-glare (acid etched) and conservation glass (specially formulated to help filter UV light). There are also acrylic glazing products that come in the non-glare and UV filtering varieties. Acrylic is lighter in weight and is safer than glass but requires a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleanser. It is ideal for oversized pieces, frames hanging in children's rooms, or items to be shipped.
- Ask a friend - last but not least, ask your friends and family about any custom framing they have had done and the experience they went through.
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