Nonesuch Picture Framing & Fine Art

2. 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
3. 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. Your professional framer will help you through the process of determining what works best with both the item and the room. Take into consideration that you may someday want to redecorate the room or move the art.
4. 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.
5. 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 tube. To prevent accidental damage, allow your framer to remove the artwork from its packaging.
6. Consider adding another detail
Fillets, beveled mat treatments, creative window openings, specialty papers, and fabric mats can add a distinctive look to your art. An experienced framer is familiar with these options and can help you decide what works best with your item. Sometimes, it's the smallest element that makes the biggest difference.
7. 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 your framer help you select the frame that best suits your artwork, and have it made to your exact specifications.
8. Archival materials protect your art
Some common framing materials such as paper mats and cardboard contain acid that will gradually destroy your art. Using archival mats and backing boards will help protect art from the damaging effects of time and common pollutants that cause yellowing, fading, and deterioration. Additionally, certain types of glass will help prevent damage caused by UV light.
9. Mounting your artwork properly
The dry and wet mounting processes bond artwork to a board to prevent the artwork from bubbling or waving and are 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.
10. Choose glazing to protect your art
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 (especially 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 nonabrasive cleanser. It is ideal for oversized pieces, frames hanging in children's rooms, or items to be shipped.