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 colors. 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 art and the frame.
An ounce of prevention. -
Many times cherished art is damaged prior to arriving at the
frame shop because it is improperly stored or transported. If
it's a rolled piece such as a poster, serious damage can be
caused by rubber bands, tape, paperclips and even a gentle
squeeze. 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, beveled 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 art.
- There are thousands of different frame styles and sizes that
come in a variety of stains, glazes, and finishes. Let us help
you select the frame that best suits your artwork and have it
made to your exact specifications.
Archival materials protect your art. -
Some common framing materials such as paper mats and cardboard
contain acid that will gradually destroy your art, and these
materials are not used by Get The Picture. 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 properly. -
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
photographic's, 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.
Find the right framer -
A good framer will help you with all the decisions that go into
properly framing your picture. Quality framers have years of
experience with preservation framing and design using a variety
of materials and methods. A quality framer will usually hold the
designation of Certified Picture Framer;
CPF®.
The CPF exam is administered by the Professional Picture Framers
Association; PPFA. This extensive exam covers all aspects of
conservation framing techniques and methods. For outstanding
customer service and the latest products, design theories, and
techniques, you can rely on framers with the CPF® mark of
excellence.
