6 Things You Should Know About Framing

Take the surroundings into account:

While it can be favourable to consider the décor of your room while deciding on a frame, do not forget that it is essential that the frame should enhance the key components in the picture and provide a finishing touch. Matching the frame with the room décor at the expense of a frame that complements the picture is a bad idea.  

Matting:

Matting refers to the material that is placed around a picture within the frame. It can be done with a variety of colours using various materials including fabric, cotton, and paper. The purpose of matting is to provide a gap between the possible condensation and the glazing. It increases the overall size of the finished piece, enabling the artwork to increase its presence within the surroundings.

Details:

Creative window openings, fabric mats or fillets can significantly enhance and give a different characteristic to the picture. Determine what will suit your picture because framing aspects like this can significantly help in making your picture stand out.

Choosing a frame that perfectly complements the picture matters:

Choosing a frame that suits your artwork perfectly is important as the frame does not only protect the picture but also significantly enhances the presentation and gives the piece a finishing look. In addition, it’s not just frame that comes in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colours, you also have to make a choice between the various glazes, stains, and finishes.

Mounting properly:

The purpose of mounts is to separate the frame from the picture, providing extra protection to the work from condensation and dust as well as preventing the frame from rubbing on the piece of art. 

Nowadays, there are a variety of picture mounts available with varying levels of protection. Wet mount and dry mounts are used to prevent the picture from cockling or bubbling. They are appropriate for photographs or posters. However, it is important to be aware that both dry mounting and wet mounting are irreversible processes and you should avoid getting any valuable pieces mounted this way as it can significantly impact the resale value of the work. 

The highest level of protection is offered by Museum mounting (also referred to as hinging). The art is attached to the board with Japanese paper hinges and hangs freely. Museum mounting allows the artwork to contract and expand with humidity change. Along with a standard gap between the art and the frame, museum mounting also consists of lignin-free cotton fiber and has a non-acidic surface making it ideal for prized possessions.

 Glazing:

The acrylic material (Plexiglas) or glass that covers and protects the artwork from the front is known as glazing. There are a variety of glass choices such as regular clear glass, non-glare (acid etched), conservation glass (filters UV light) and anti-reflective (chemically coated). Even acrylic-based glazing products are available in the UV filtering and non-glare variety. While acrylic is safer and weighs lighter than glass, non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth is required to clean it.