Picture framing questions

Great framing design skills are worth paying for as they will set your finished artwork out from the pack. Exceptional designs only come from great designers and that’s why a talented custom framer is so critical. It is also really important that clients appreciate the knowledge around the use of appropriate, high quality framing materials. Here’s a guide to working with and asking the right questions of your picture framer to ensure that you know just what makes up your finished picture frame.

Different artworks require different materials

Different types of artwork will require different materials and techniques. Let’s look at just one today. An original work on paper is best suited (and best protected) by hinging it onto a high quality acid free backing. Usually a good acid foam core will suffice. If using matboards then a buffered wood-pulp based board such as Crescent’s International Whitecore series will make a fine framing package.

However if the original work is of high monetary value and/or an artwork of significance and age, then use a conservation grade backing and matboard. Crescent also produce a Museum quality cotton board known as Rag Mat. Being made from cotton guarantees that you are surrounding your artwork in a 100% acid free environment as cotton is naturally acid free (unlike wood pulp).

You then face a choice of glazing options. Any artwork that is easily replaceable can get away with a standard picture framing float glass. Anything more significant needs specialty glass like UV Conservation glass or Museum glass. The more conservation framing materials you use the higher level of conservation you receive.

Making sure you ask enough ‘how’ questions

Make sure you ask HOW your artwork will be framed. This is particularly important for anything of value – and by value, I mean both monetary AND sentimental. I have had many clients whose jaws dropped in astonishment when I took their old frame apart for a re-frame and identified at least 5 different framing sins that required fixing.

Some example questions to ask your picture framer

Get access to your framers expertise by asking the following questions. This will then educate yourself and ensure that you are confident they know what they are doing and that you will get nothing less than an exceptional finished frame.

1. How will you be attaching my watercolour inside the frame?
   
2. Exactly how much and what type of adhesive do you use in the whole framing process?
   
3. Can you explain to me how you attach a football jumper inside the frame?
   
4. Am I able to remove my baby’s first cardigan one day if I want to?