Scary Framing – Non-Conservation!
CONSERVE & PROTECT
Damage To Your Artwork Can Be Scary!
Do you know what’s really scary? Framing that damages your art! Inferior framing materials and exposure to destructive elements can fade, discolour, and damage your framed art. Framing isn’t just about making your framed piece look good it’s about looking good forever! This Halloween let’s avoid a framing scare by using the proper materials to conserve and protect your project
Acid Free is your new favorite framing term. Materials that have acidic components breakdown and outgas, discoloring and burning your art. ‘Acid Free’ materials have had those harmful ingredients filtered out, so they do not cause damage. There are two main components in a picture frame that can potentially contain acid: Matting & Backing Board. We only use superior acid free mats & foam core.
Matting goes on top of the art. If the mats are not acid
free, they out gas and cause damage, seen as brownish edges on the opening of the mat. Matting colour will fade if it is not acid free, eventually clashing with the art color. If you have acid burn or faded mats, we can re mat your project with acid free mats or 100% cotton rag mats.
Backing Board like foam core goes underneath the art. If it is not acid free, it can burn your art, causing weakening of paper fibers and decolourization. We highly recommend always using acid free backing board.
UV (ultraviolet) rays can wreak havoc on your framed artwork. If UV rays can burn skin, they can damage art as well. UV damage is a chemical reaction; changes take place at a cellular level that cause fading, discoloration and harm to your art. Art framed with ‘regular’ glass will often fade to a washed out blue tone.
Just as we put sunscreen on to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, you need to protect your art by framing it with UV filtering glass or UV filtering acrylic. We recommend glazing that filters 99% of those harmful rays.
Just because your art is inside does not mean that it is safe. It still needs UV protection. Did you know that most light sources (especially fluorescent lighting) emit a lot of UV rays? Stop the damage before it begins and opt for UV
filtering glass.
If you think your fabrics & textiles don’t need glass …ponder a few things…fabric is susceptible to dust, smoke, bugs, furnace residue, hands on people, UV rays, etc. Some fabrics like canvas can withstand harmful effects better than others, but why risk it? Moths and non visible bugs are especially attracted to silk and wool. Modern glass is nearly invisible, so you can enjoy the fine details of your textiles AND take advantage of the protective benefits glazing offers.