Framing is the process of making an image displayable and at the same time protect it from the various elements such as sun light, insects and the atmosphere which may attack it.
Having now got the image you wish to display, it is time to consider how to display it to its best potential without detracting from it's beauty.
Depending on the type of image or object which can be such things as a cricket ball or shirt or model, that needs to be framed will dictate the type of framing required and what level will be needed. When we talk about levels these are the standards laid down by the Fine Arts Trade Guild, which is the body that produces standards to achieve high quality framing across the industry.
We are members of the Fine Arts Trade Guild and as such work to the standards they lay down. This is to protect the customers, you and the art work you entrust to the framer to frame. We are listed in their official directory click here to check
The Five Levels of Framing
Choosing the right frame: what your money buys
You may think you want the cheapest frame but remember that low-cost framing
can actually damage your picture. Some art should be protected for future
generations.
We as professional framers will advise you on the appropriate level of framing for your artwork - and will know how to make even a modestly priced print look its best
The Five Levels of Framing
You have a choice about how much or how little you want to safeguard your picture. There are Five Levels of Framing for you to choose from as the following summary explains:
Click on the underlined word to see the full level details
Museum - The ultimate protection for your artwork
Conservation - Helping preserve your artwork for future generations
Commended - Guarantees a degree of protection, with design playing an important part
Budget - Visually pleasing, but offering no long-term protection
Minimum - Putting economy first
Having discussed the various levels we use it is our normal practice to
work to the Conservation Level as this affords a good level of protection
to your artwork.
Now lets explain the various materials that go into a frame, not all elements are required in all types of framing.
| The outer frame | This is also called the moulding and can be made from wood, metal or plastic. A number of the best mouldings are made in Italy. They can be finished in a large number of ways, such as gold leaf, silver leaf, paint, dye etc. This material is cut with 45 degree angles on each end then glued and stapled together to form the frame. - - xxxx - - |
| Glass | There are various glass types e.g. Float, UV filtered, Non Reflective and water etc. Glass comes in various thicknesses and has to be carefully calculated to ensure that the amount of glass used in the frame is strong enough to support itself. We recommend water glass as it is very clear and colour true, but it cannot always be used and then we use a specialist glass. - - xxxx - - |
| Mount Board | Mount board or sometimes called Mat board is the material that goes between the art work and the glass. It has two main functions one to stop the art from sticking to the glass or being flattened by it and second to present the art work, show it off. The openings in this board can be cut to virtually any shape using our state of the art computer aided cutter. Click here for sample shapes. Multiple boards can be used to give different effects. It comes in various grades that match the different levels of framing such as cotton museum board is used in museum level framing. Standard grad boards will discolor over time and stain the artwork. We use Alphacare which has special properties. Unlike any other boards,
Artcare can actively protect framed items. It
is now known that the deterioration of paper and film is caused by the - - xxxx - - |
| Backing Board | This is a special acid free board that is used to hang the art work on and is hinged to the mount board using acid free adhesive tapes. - - xxxx - - |
| Back Board | This is a board made of pre tensioned corrugated board, hardboard or MDF. The purpose of this layer is to protect the back of the picture or framed object. - - xxxx - - |
| Sealing and fixing | The final job is to assemble the whole frame. The glass, mount board, backing board and the back board are all sealed around the edge in a sandwich. This will help prevent damp and insects getting at the art work. The sandwich is then placed in the moulding and held in position with staples or framers points. Then a brown tape seal is put around the rear of the frame to seal the sandwich with the frame. A cord or wire of sufficient strength to hold the weight of the finished picture is fitted. Last but not least two felt discs are fitted to the two bottom corners to allow air to circulate behind the picture and to stop the frame marking the wall. Allowing air to circulate will help the longevity of the picture. - - xxxx - - |
