Frame Components

Frame Components

There are many components that go into framing a piece of artwork. Beside the actual frame, of which there are various shapes, there is matting, glazing, mounting that goes into each piece.

Matting

There are a large number of matting options available to you.  Since we come to a project from a preservation point of view, we do not offer the lesser quality paper mats.  We carry the entire Crescent, Bainbridge and Artique lines. 

• Colored mats - Colored top mat with a snow white bevel
• Solid Core Mats - The color is consistent through the whole mat
• Rag Mats - Best for Conservation jobs
• Linen Mats
• Suede Mats
• Hand-wrapped Fabric Mats
• Linen Liners - For paintings

Mounting

Every projects needs specific mounting types depending on what the item is we are working on. 

These are a sampling of the techniques we use:

• Drymounting - Permanently heat mounting a piece to a foam core backer board with sheet adhesive.  This is not reversible. Great for posters and the like.
• Archival/Museum Mounting - Our standard mounting technique is using Japeanese Hinges attached to the backer board.  The only “ingredients” are Japanese rice paper, wheat starch paste and distilled water.  These are fully reversible .  We also use Japanese Hinges when we float mount a piece.
• Direct Contract Overlay - We use this method with very delicate papers and fabrics.  It iOS reversible, uses no adhesive and is minimally invasive. 
• Stitching - Used mostly with quilts, rugs, jerseys and large fabrics.
• Armature Wire - Used on objects.  We try very hard to make everything reversible so we try not use silicon glue and harsh adhesives.

Glazing

The glazing line that we carry is from TruVue.  We have found over the years it is better to stand by a brand instead of shopping around by price.  This way when you come in and do a project, if you were to duplicate that job or add to that wall you will have to same look through out. 

We carry the following types of glass:

• Premium Clear
• Reduced Reflection UltraVue - Reduced reflection, water white and 70% UV filtering. 
• Conservation Clear - Looks like Premium Clear, but is 99% UV filtering
• Museum Glass - Reduced reflection and 99% UV filtering
• Acrylic - Regular
• Premium Acrylic - UV Optium Museum, Conservation Clear, etc.

Corkboards & Mirrors

Pretty much any frame can made into a cork board or mirror.  We use 1/4” thick real cork in our boards.  For our mirrors we offer both plate mirror and beveled mirrors.  We have a great relationship with Sussex Glass here in town who does our custom sized beveled mirrors.

Needle Arts

We are sticklers with framing needle arts.  Since you put so much time and energy into making them, we put the time and energy into doing them correctly.  We will never drymount (permanently glue) them.  We will never leave pins in the stretched to rust later on.  Our preferred method is lacing.  Other framers may find this tedious, but it’s well worth the time.  We will use glass spacers if matting is unwanted to keep the glass from squishing the stitching. We prefer to use glass on all needlearts, but there are some “no glass” folks out there so we’re up for the discussion.

Shadowboxing

What can shadow boxed?  Pretty much anything.  Jerseys, christening gowns, clothing, you-yo’s, Berlin Wall rocks, dentures.  You name it and We’ll figure out a way to do it with style.

Plaque Mounting

An old fashioned method of displaying certificates and diplomas.  Your document is laminated to a wood substrate.  This is a permanent mounting method.  Once it is done, it’s done.  That being said, it does have a distinctive look  and is less expensive than framing in most cases.