What are you really buying when you use the services of a custom framer?
When you have a piece of art, a photograph or an item that you want framed, you have several options as to how to go about getting it done. With a photo, you can easily buy a ready-made photo frame at almost any store. For a poster or print, many retail stores offer standard poster frames that are available in a variety of colors and sizes to fit your décor. As an alternative, you could also visit one of the many "do-it-yourself" framing centers where, with the help of employees, you can cut your own mat and build your own frame.
With all these options available, why are you in a custom frame shop? (return to top)
Designing Your Framing Package
Although a good artistic eye is something that can't be taught, there are certain rules of custom framing which lead to good design that can. When followed, these guidelines, well known to your custom framer, produce a beautiful, well-balanced framing presentation that enhances the work of art without overpowering it. For example, did you know that the width of the mat border should never match the width of the frame? This tends to draw the eye away from the art they surround. Or that a poorly placed decorative element, such as a French line, can detract from the beauty of the finished package?
"Good design based on commonly accepted framing principles is one of the many reasons to custom frame."
Protecting Your Artwork
Perhaps the best reason to custom frame your personal and well-loved works of art is that a professional picture framer has the skills and materials necessary to preserve and protect them as closely as possible to their original condition. Acid- and lignin-free mat and mount boards contain no impurities which can damage the art they surround. Special UV-filtering glazing such as Tru Vue® Conservation Series® Glass featuring 99% UV Protection can be used to protect art from the irreversible damage caused by light exposure. Professional picture framers have the training and skills required to use these materials to beautifully present your treasured items in a way that will not only enhance their appearance, but also protect them for your enjoyment for years to come.
Why A Custom Framer?
If you were planning to build a new home for your family, would you ask the person working in the lumber department of your local home improvement store to draw up the plans? Or, if you were sick, would you ask the checkout person at your drug store to diagnose and treat your illness? Probably not. The same reasoning applies to your decision to use a custom framer's services. A professional picture framer is a person who has been formally educated to know how to preserve, protect and beautify works of art, regardless of their known value. (return to top)
As consumers, we bring our valuables in to be framed for a number of different reasons. Sometimes we frame an item to create an attractive decoration for our home. On the other hand, sometimes we frame the very things we value most — whether that be commercial or sentimental value — in order to protect them from damage.
What is Conservation Framing?
Put simply, Conservation Framing employs the use of materials that have been proven to protect and maintain art in as close to its original condition as possible.
When should I ask for Conservation Framing?
Value is, at best, a subjective thing. If it’s worth framing, it’s worth protecting. Use Tru Vue’s Conservation Quality Glass featuring 99% UV Protection on everything you have framed.
How can I be sure that I am getting Conservation Quality?
Let your framer know that you want Conservation Framing employed on your project. Specifically, request the following:
1. Specify TruGuard ® UV Protection Glass.
Ultraviolet light rays are one of the most dangerous elements that your artwork can encounter. It will not only cause your colors to fade to a mere shadow of their former glory, but will cause the materials themselves to begin to break down right in the frame.
Conservation Quality picture framing glass is specially formulated to protect framed works of art from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. By specifying Tru Vue ®Conservation Series ® Glass, you are insuring that at least 99% of these most damaging light rays are filtered out before ever coming into contact with your valuables.
Here are some examples of what can occur with artwork that is NOT protected from ultraviolet rays.
2. Specify Conservation Quality Artboard. (return to top)
Ordinary pulp-based matboard contains acids and lignins, which, over a period of time, damage the artwork they come in contact with.
When going over your artboard options with your framer, ask him or her to show you only conservation quality artboard. Conservation quality artboard is free of all acids, lignins and other impurities found in ordinary “pulp” board. The result is an inert or pH neutral board which will cause no damage to the artwork it encases as time goes by.
3. Request a careful adherence to proper conservation techniques for mounting the artwork (sometimes called “hinging”) and sealing your artwork.
We are fully versed in the specifics of conservation hinging. We will be sure to uphold proper conservation standards.
But even if a piece has value of a more personal nature, it may deserve Conversation Framing. Most pieces we frame deserve to be framed with conservation in mind. As a rule of thumb, if the item you are framing is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind photograph, document or piece of memorabilia, or if it is an original work of art or a limited edition, it should be framed using conservation techniques and materials.
What determines the glass I should use?
Your
custom framer should help you select the right glass for your project.
The very fact that you are having this item framed denotes its value to
you. The best choice for any framed item is to use glass featuring
TruGuard
®
UV Protection.
What other glass choices do I have?
Tru Vue
®
offers four types of glass available with TruGuard
®
UV Protection.
All three types block a minimum of 99% of harmful UV light rays.
MUSEUM GLASS®
Anti-reflective technology with UV blocking properties
Non-glare, chemically finished, one-side
CONSERVATION CLEAR®
Perhaps you have a very bright room in which you will display your artwork, or you intend to hang the piece opposite a window or lamp. Anytime you think reflection may become a distraction from the enjoyment of your artwork, you may want to ask for Conservation Reflection Control® Glass.
Below is a simulated example of an image framed with reflection control glass on the left, and a piece framed with normal clear glass that provides no reflection control. With windows, lights, and televisions being potential reflective items in a pictures glass, they add a tremendous amount of distraction to your artwork.
Conservation Reflection Control
®
glass employs etching on only one side, eliminating the reflection problem with only a subtle softening of clarity. (This
“soft focus actually enhances some images such as portrait photography
and impressionist landscapes, where an atmospheric effort is desirable.)
Ask us to see a sample of the four types of Conservation Series
®
Glass and judge it for yourself. The most important thing
to remember when framing your artwork is to consult with us. We are
able to use materials that will ensure your enjoyment for years to come.
What is Conservation Glass?
We’ve
all heard about the dangers of ultraviolet light rays — particularly to
organic materials. Exposure to UV light causes organic material to
break down. This is visible in the form of fading colors and
embrittlement and yellowing of the materials that bear the artwork.
These effects, once started, are cumulative and irreversible.
The
best way to preserve your art is to protect it from exposure to UV
light from the outset. For starters, don’t hang your art in direct
sunlight or light it with fluorescent light. Ask your framer to use
Conservation Quality Glass, such as Tru Vue
®
Museum Glass
®,
the highest quality glass available.
Where do I go to receive Conservation Framing?
Frame Nook Custom Picture Framing, of course! We gave you this information because we believe in and practice Conservation Framing. It is important that you entrust your valuable framing projects only us because we care about the conservation process, have experience and the necessary skills and techniques, and are committed to using high quality conservation materials throughout your entire project.
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