What’s Important About Custom Framing?

Custom framers help your artwork look its
best, and help it stay that way.

First Things First:

Artwork worth keeping is worth professional framing – especially if you have something you’d like to protect and keep for a while. Perhaps you’ll hand it down to others… Or maybe something’s been handed down to YOU, with sentimental or even monetary value. Maybe it’s a unique size or material, or maybe you’re not sure how to make what you have look it’s best. And of course you’ll want whatever you have to both LOOK fantastic, and for it to STAY that way for a long time. That’s when teaming with a competent framer can help you protect, value, and display your art so that it looks its very best now, and for years to come.

What Framers Do For You:

Aside from fabricating frames for any size or type of art, professional framers – particularly Certified Picture Framers through The Professional Picture Framers Association – are trained and experienced in the care and preservation of artwork. Your framer should do more than guide you through designing a beautiful picture frame. They should also be able to explain things like… when and how to avoid acidification from matting and mounting materials (some materials marked “acid-free” aren’t 100% acid free!);  when and why to use buffered rag mats or unbuffered rag mats; the pros and cons of glass or acrylic glazing; the benefits of various mounting methods for your artwork, and more. Reputable framers will bring these types of items to your attention to ensure that correct materials are used to protect your artwork, all while balancing price. 

A framer working in your best interest can do all of the above by helping you with three important questions concerning your project:

1. What is your art?

Sounds simple enough, the question of ‘what is it?’. But it’s extremely important. That’s because understanding what your art consists of, it’s medium, condition, and potential value – whether monetary, personal, or both – will lead to important decisions about how to conserve and protect it, and what should be done with a picture frame to beautifully display it. You can expect help and expertise in assessing the type of art you have, it’s general age and condition, and whether to seek further information about its value.

2. How should it be protected?

Important differences in mounting, framing, and glazing choices can add to or detract from the life and value of your art, preventing damage and yellowing over time. Sometimes artwork needs added care and attention such as cleaning, mold/mildew prevention, or retouch/repair. Whether simple, or complex, we adhere to the same conservation and museum-quality standards, and always have your best interests in mind when it comes to cost:

• Certified, 100% acid-free mounting materials such as 100% cotton rag boards

• Care and consistency in proper mounting: when or when NOT to use conservation-grade adhesives, needle & thread, linen or mulberry tapes, spacers, dry-mount or hinged fabrication techniques and much more.

• Consideration in glazing materials such as the use and grade of glass or plexiglass for UV or moisture protection to achieve longevity, value, and beauty at the most appropriate cost.
• Best practices and deliberate processes for cleaning and restoration of oil paintings, works on paper, and other art.
• High-quality custom frames for any size that are hand-fabricated to last for many years, and that protect the art within them.

3. How will it best be displayed?

Displaying your art in a beautiful custom picture frame is the icing on the cake. It’s where the fun is, and full-service framers will be able to assist you in your selections. It’s why the majority of our patrons first visit our Claremont, NH shop. A wall with thousands of frame samples and hundreds of mat colors can be overwhelming, but a good framer should offer you two or three different approaches to showcase your piece in a way that maintains the integrity of the art, whatever the medium – including things like cloth or three dimensional artwork. Your designer should be able to point out why certain colors and frames work with your art and help draw the eye into it.

At our shop you can expect over one thousand frame samples, hundreds of mat colors, and expert craftsmanship to pull them all together. From the humble black and white, to more complex shadow-box frame and floater frame designs, period-specific framing for authenticity, custom stains, finishes, fabrication and more, you can expect personal help selecting a frame and design that’s just right for your art, and your budget.

In helping you with your display decisions, we take into account three aspects of custom framework: Size, Color, and Design.

Size – Your art will look best when the size and width of the frame balances with sizes and perspectives of elements in your art. We’ll help you find just the right balance.

Color – Complimentary choices in mat and frame colors should make your art the main attraction, not secondary to the picture frame. Color selections are part of what make that possible. You can expect guidance when it comes to color – like contrast and harmony for example – the two ways to use color in any design project. Contrast is based on difference. Complementary colors, such as red and green, have nothing in common and produce lively, attention-getting contrast. Harmony is based on likeness. Colors such as red and orange are harmonious and result in a pleasing blend. Your art will have its own contrasts and harmonies. We’ll help you find them.

Design – The design of custom picture frames affects the experience of viewing your art, helping you see the whole picture first rather than more frame or mat than art. A design that compliments your art without competing with it makes the artwork the focus, and more powerful.  A frame can even add value to the art – particularly high-quality and authentic period frames in good condition. You can expect help with a picture frame and design that fits your art, style, and of course, your budget.

Wrapping It Up

As you can see, there are great advantages to working with a competent framer, especially with art of monetary or sentimental value. In addition to design, a trained and experienced framer can speak with you about restoration when necessary, and suggest appropriate and reversible methods of mounting – known as “archival” – as well as appropriate materials for framing all manner of artwork. Sometimes a piece of art doesn’t need as much attention, but it always needs appropriate care. At our Claremont, NH frame shop, that’s what you’ll find, along with an understanding of the importance of balancing that care with design, and cost. It’s a collaborative approach, and the final decisions are always yours. See you at the shop!