FAQ on Framing

Why do I need a mat?
Matting is the term used to describe the window-cut material placed around an image within a frame. It serves as a spacer allowing the artwork to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Matting comes in a variety of colors and is chosen to complement the color and design of the artwork. It makes the overall size of the finished piece larger. Matting can be made from a variety of materials: paper, cardboard, fibrous materials, etc. Using an archival quality material will offer protection, ensuring that your art will last for years to come.

Is glass the same as glazing?
Glazing is a general term used to describe the transparent material covering the artwork as a means of protection, such a glass. There are many variations including regular clear picture glass, anti-reflective (chemically coated to reduce reflection), non-glare (acid etched to help reduce glare), and conservation glass (specially formulated to help filter the damaging effects of UV light). There are also acrylic glazing products that are lighter in weight and come in the non-glare and UV filtering varieties. Glass is easier to clean and more scratch resistant than acrylic products.

Should I have my artwork mounted?
Mounting is a process by which artwork is attached to a board. Dry mounting, wet mounting and spray mounting are ways to prevent the artwork from bubbling or waving in the frame. Artwork of any value is not generally mounted since it can greatly affect any resale value. Museum mounting, commonly known as hinging, is when the art is attached with paper hinges to the board. The art hangs free, allowing it to expand or contract with humidity. Dry and wet mountings are permanent processes and not recommended for archival materials.

Why do I need preservation framing?
A key component of professional picture framing is the ability to preserve the original condition of the items, both at the time they are being framed and in the event that the framing, mounting and matting is removed at a later date. Preservation picture framing, also know as conservation picture framing and museum quality framing, uses materials and techniques that help protect against the effects of sunlight and pollutants that yellow, fade and damage the art. Archival matting, hinging and UV protective glazing (glass or acrylic) are most commonly used to increase the longevity of framed items. For information on framing antique photographs, see “Stand the Test of Time”.

How do I protect my photographs?
Photographs are some of our most prized possessions representing an irreplaceable moment in time. In order to best preserve them from the harmful affects of sunlight, common pollutants and time, we suggest the following:

• Store your negatives and photographs in separate locations in case you will need to reprint a damaged or lost picture.
• Wear cotton gloves when handling photographs in order to prevent finger oils from burning into the emulsion.
• Prevent the fading of color by keeping them out of direct sunlight.
• Consider framing a duplicate or color copy and storing the original.
• When framing your photographs always choose conservation picture framing products

Glossary of Terms 

Acid Free
A term used to describe paper materials with a 7 pH, or very close to 7 pH. Acid-free materials are more permanent and less likely to discolor over time. The term Archival or conservation quality more accurately describes true acid-free conservation quality matboard.

Archival
The framing procedure where all materials are acid free. Conservation framing is the same.

Adhesive Transfer (ATG) Tape
A double sided tape used to stick mat boards and other materials together.

Beveled Edge
The 45-degree cut on a matboard. This allows about 1/16" of the core to be seen. A reverse bevel means the core will not be seen from the front of the mat.

Bottom weighting
A term used when additional border is applied to the bottom of a mat but not the top. In some instances it can look very good. A negative is that the mat cannot be used both vertically and horizontally.

Conservation Framing
The framing procedure where all materials that come in contact with the artwork are totally acid free. This minimizes the effect of adverse atmospheric conditions.

Double Mat
Two mats are used. The top mat has a slightly larger opening than the bottom mat; the difference is called the "reveal". When ordering, define only the exact opening you require and the reveal. We will determine the opening sizes on both mats.

Floating Artwork
A double mat (or more) is used. The bottom mat does not have an opening. The opening in the main mat is larger than the image. The image is attached to the bottom mat, so a small portion of this mat can still be seen.

Foam Core
A stiff light material used as a backing board to give rigidity. Foam makes up the center of the board with a layer of paper on its surfaces. Foam core is usually 3/16 to 1/8" thick, and is very smooth. Excellent for mounting images such as posters and lighter paper.

Hardware
The materials used with frames to make them ready to assemble and hang either metal or wood frames.

Image Size
This is the size of the actual image, not the surrounding border. Unless part of the border is to be shown, the window of the mat should be smaller than the image size in order for it to be attached to the back of the mat.

Mat Board
A board comprised of two parts, the core and the paper face. Most matboard is 4 ply or about 1/16 inch thick. Occasionally 2 ply or Ultra Thick mat is used.

Mat Board Core
The center area of mat board. Usually 1/16 inch thick. It can be regular or conservation quality.

Mounting Board
A board used to mount images when this is necessary. Regular or acid-free foamcore is excellent mounting boards.

Plexi-glass
An acrylic material used instead of glass. It is very light in comparison to glass and much more resistant to breakage. We use both 1 mm. plexi (.040") and 3 mm.plexi (1/8").

Profile
The term used to describe how a frame looks when viewed from one end. It will describe the width and height of the mat, and the dimensions of the rabbet. The rabbet describes the 90 degree cut made to house the glass and mat package.

Regular matboard
This is good quality mat, and the least expensive. It is often termed "acid-free" but should not be confused with conservation quality mat.

Reveal
In a double mat, the reveal is the amount of the bottom mat that will show. The rest will be behind the top mat.

Shadow Box frames and displays
A term used when thicker items are framed. This can be anything from a medal which may only require ¼ inch of depth to a baseball bat requiring 3 inches. Or perhaps much more. There are two methods of creating shadow boxes:

1. Frames with various rabbet depths. These may be ½ inch up to 4 inches or larger. These frames are generally very expensive.
2. Boxes made of differing materials which fit into any standard wood frame. They can be lined with any matboard to be make a very professional presentation. These are much less expensive, and used extensively in the memorabilia framing industry.

Spacer
Can be used between the mat and backing to create a space when a "shadow box" effect is required. A piece of foamcore will give 3/16 inch space for the shadow box effect.

Window
The opening in a mat board through which the image will show. The window is usually 1/8 to 1/2 inch smaller than the image so the image can be taped to the back of the mat. For example a 5 x 7 photo (exactly) should have a window of approximately 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches.