‘F’ is for framing. A great framing job can make or break your artwork display.  You can have an inexpensive print that is properly matted and framed and it becomes amazing artwork, and conversely you can have a one of a kind painting that is not properly framed and it isn’t special at all.

Today’s blog post was written by Donna Symanski of Art & Framing Designs LLC.

It is full of fabulous information and great examples of how you can frame your art and collectibles.

Conservation (or preservation, or archival) framing is a method of picture framing that preserves and protects artwork. It ensures that all the materials used in framing and matting will not harm the artwork, and will, as much as possible, protect the artwork from physical damage. Professional picture framers are trained in the proper techniques and materials for preservation framing.

Conservation (or preservation, or archival) framing is a method of picture framing that preserves and protects artwork. It ensures that all the materials used in framing and matting will not harm the artwork, and will, as much as possible, protect the artwork from physical damage. Professional picture framers are trained in the proper techniques and materials for preservation framing.

If artwork is not properly framed in a preservation manner, it can fade, yellow, stain, even be burned by acids in inferior framing materials – causing irreparable damage and loss of value and beauty.

Because conservation framing materials are made to be permanent, they feature colors that will not fade and cores that are pure and clean – attributes that will maintain the aesthetics of your framed pieces for years to come.

In addition, preservation framing protects the integrity and value – be it monetary or emotional – of all your artwork, photographs and memorabilia, preserving and protecting for the enjoyment of the next generation.

What We Do to Protect Your Work

Conservation glass safeguards works against damaging ultraviolet light, blocking up to 97% of the harmful ultraviolet spectrum, significantly reducing fading due to light exposure. For comparison, regular glass blocks approximately 47% of the ultraviolet spectrum.

100% cotton rag mat, manufactured to Library of Congress standards. It is bleed/fade resistant and both acid and lignin free. (As lignin, a natural component of paper pulp and ordinary paper mats, grows old and breaks down a secondary acidification occurs.) Most of our mats are also alkaline pH buffered, offering extended protection from environmental pollutants (the air has a slightly acidic pH). However, we do carry a non-buffered, light cream mat for specific applications.

Conservation mounting utilizes archival quality backing and mounting materials combined with conservation mounting techniques. All materials must be stable, completely reversible and minimize exposure of the work to adhesives. The “best” technique varies depending upon the exact nature of the object being framed.

Looking for a different way to present your art prints and photographs? We are proud to carry Lam Tech, which offers a new, contemporary, and highly durable solution. Any image on paper can be used in the Lam Tech process. The image is permanently mounted on a dense composite fiber board, beveled with a finish of your choice, and laminated with a thick, resistant coating. Several options are available, and there are 32 different finishes including faux marble and wood.

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Lite – Standard Lam Tech process, has 1/4″ bevel and 3/8″ deep, mounts flush to wall.

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Box – Sides built 1″ deeper than Lite, mounts flush to wall.

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Float – Similar to Lite, but has a small 1″ spacer behind it that mounts to the wall giving it the appearance of floating.

Framing is meant to enhance an image and not be the focal point.  Although, the overall package with image and framing, if done properly, can very well be the focal point of any room.