art for your walls

Many people blanch when they hear how much good quality framing will cost them. Is it really necessary to spend so much money just to surround something that already looks good?

It is easy to forget that the most important reason for framing art is not aesthetics at all. Quality framing techniques and materials have actually evolved over the centuries to protect valued art and help ensure it remains in good condition. And good quality framing is an art itself, so you aren’t just buying quality materials, you’re paying for the benefit of someone’s expertise.

All artwork can be damaged by cheap or inappropriate framing materials and methods. Deterioration may be rapid or it may only become apparent after some years. Like everything else, the better quality the materials, the more money they cost. Framing a 76cm x 50cm (30” x 20”) photographic print with good quality materials and methods will cost around $250–$300 AUD upwards. If it costs less then it’s not a quality job. Unless of course the materials ‘fell off the back of a truck’ or the framer is not charging you for his time.

I arrange professional framing using good quality materials and the best methods. If it’s not good quality then why bother?

Some of the features of good quality framing

• Three quality ‘d’ mounts are screwed onto the back of the frame. These rings are suitable for most hooks, including gallery hanging systems.
• Stainless steel hanging wire is used.
• Felt pads are attached to the back of the frame to help protect the walls from scuff marks.
• Food quality timber mouldings are used that will not split or warp (unless dropped from a great height!)
• Good quality glass is used. There is also the option of using specially coated glass that repels a higher percentage of u.v. light than usual glass.
• Prints are cold dry-mounted using a special press.
• Acid-free double mats or single mats with a ‘v’ groove are used.

Attention to details such as these helps to ensure that the print and frame will not only look good from day one, but they’ll stay in good condition for many years. The couple who do this framing are perfectionists. And they have spent years living and working in the bush so are particularly good at choosing the most appropriate colours to complement the images.

Titles

I have the photographs framed with an image title visible through a ‘window’ cut out of the top mat. This ‘title’ includes the name of the image, name of the station where the photograph was taken, and it is hand signed and numbered. It is printed on archival-quality paper with black pigment-based ink.

If you do not want the title framed with the photograph then make sure you mention this when placing your order. Alternatively if you would like a special message printed as well as the usual wording or instead of it then please explain this when placing your order. A personal message can make a gift all the more special.

For example:

Glass

Ultra violet does good things on the planet but it also causes irreversible damage. It is the most harmful form of light. Have you ever left your newspaper out in the summer sun for a few hours? Direct u.v. light will quickly fade colours, cause yellowing or bleaching and make paper brittle. So direct sunlight must be avoided as well as fluorescent lighting because it also contains a high percentage of u.v. rays. Incandescent lighting is much less harmful.

Superior glass that has a special coating to repel 98% of u.v.light is available for an extra cost. It is recommended that this glass be used to protect artwork that is to hang in offices that are continuously lit by fluorescent lighting and in rooms that receive a lot of sunlight. See Tru-vue glass manufacturers for more information.

Non-reflective glass can be used where reflections on ordinary glass make viewing the art underneath difficult. However there are some significant drawbacks. Most non-reflective glass lets in a much higher percentage of u.v. rays and the etched surface of the glass reduces the clarity of the art.

Non-reflective glass that is at the cheap end of the scale still costs quite a bit more than ordinary glass; and good quality non-reflective glass costs a good deal more. Personally I believe that this extra money is much better invested in improved lighting if possible. Good lighting will overpower any unwanted reflections and can make framed art look absolutely stunning, whereas non-reflective glass never ever improves the art underneath. See Hanging & Caring for Art for more information on lighting.

Mat board

If prints are framed touching glass they will stick to it when there is moisture in the air and surface damage to the print surface may result. So properly framed prints are surrounded by mat board to ensure that there is air between the print surface and the glass. If the print is hinge-mounted rather than mounted onto board it will buckle in humid weather, so double mat boards should be used to ensure the print surface is kept well away from the glass in case the print absorbs moisture and bulges outwards. Mat board also absorbs moisture, reducing the likelihood that mould will grow on the photograph.

Usually prints will look much more impressive if surrounded by double mat board or single mat with a v-groove, and choosing specific colours will make a surprisingly significant difference to the atmosphere and impact of the image.

Mouldings

Good quality timber mouldings are used and styles, widths and colours are chosen to suit the specific photograph being framed. Most of my photographs are ideally suited to wide, conservative timber frames that are medium to dark brown in colour. However there are many other options that will look good so please contact me to discuss any specific preferences you may have. For example you may wish to complement other framed artwork or a particular style of furnishings. Or you may need a relatively wide, flat moulding if you intend attaching an engraved plaque.