What goes into picture framing?

What are you getting for what you pay for. As the old saying goes "You always get what you pay for." A business always has the choice of offering the highest quality products or cut corners. Limited edition artwork can become very valuable over time, that is why I have decided to write an article as to what should be used to frame limited edition prints.

Matboards

Matboards are the decorative borders that go around your art. Usually there are two Matboards used to frame your art. An outside mat and the second is usually referred to as the trim. Alot of framing companies will use the term "Acid Free". In realty "Acid Free" matboards are not the standard that should be used for framing limited edition art. The standard that picture framers are legaly bined to use is "Conservation" matboards.  You can read more about these standards here.

Foamboard/Backing

The foamboard or backing is another very important part of the picture framing process. Over the last ten years I have opened many pictures to find cardboard on the back of the print. Customers are shocked to find that what could have been a valuable piece of art has been ruined by a non-professional picture framer that usually works from their home and are not liable for  damages caused by their wrecklessness. A good tip here is to always use a framing professional that has a physical store location. It is much safer to have a store to go back to if you do have problems.

The foamboard that professional framers use is tested to ensure that artwork is protected and will not yellow or fade.

Glass/Glazing

Glazing is an indutry term used to describe the glass that covers your art. Your glass is just as important to preserving your artwork as the matboard and the foamboard  described above. There are three main types:

• Clear production glass
• Non-glare glass
• Conservation glass

The first production glass is the poorest quality and offers no protection to your artwork at all. Nearly 90% of all pictures framed in Newfoundland are glazed with clear glass. What this means is over a seven to ten year period the artwork begins to fade even if it is not hung in direct sun light.

The second non-glare is used often with the false claim that it will protect your artwork from fading. In fact this couldn't be further from the truth. Non-glare glass offers no protection at all from the harmful fading effects of UV light.

The third type of glazing used is conservation glass. Though it is the best and highest quality of glass it is barely ever used. The main reason for this is cost, or the picture framer does not wish to offer this type of glazing. The main reason for this is the glass product itself is very delicate, and can be scratched very easily. For this reason many picture framers do not like to take the risk of using such a delicate product. It takes many years of experience to use this type of product properly, another reason you should use an established business that has the experience to offer the very best in picture framing.

Conservation glass will typically cost you an additional sixty to ninty dollars per framing job. But in the end it is worth it.

Moulding

Your frame is the final step of the picture framing process. You should also educate yourself in this area as well, as the type of frame you choose will also have a great part to play on the conservation of your artwork.

Moulding is manufactured is many different countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Canada, USA, and Italy. The majority of frames used today at bargain type establishments are manufactured in Brazil or Indonesia. The main reason for this is that it is cheaper. But remember "You always get what you pay for." These types of mouldings are milled using a very low grade wood. Then it is covered with a toxic gesso finish that covers the inperfection such as knots is the moulding. This like a peanut shell that is very easy to crack and chip. 

The very best moulding on the market today is Itilian moulding. Itilian moulding is milled using only top quality raw materials that do not require toxic gesso or fillers to cover poor quailty wood. And in the case that there is gesso used like in a satin black, it is non-toxic and very well done so it will stand the test of time.

Conclusion

Know what you are buying, and exactly what you are getting for your hard earned dollars. Professions picture framers will always be helpful in answering your questions and giving the very best advice possible.