Monroe Street Framing

Framing Tips

Proper cleaning

Don't spray cleaners directly onto the surface. Spray cleaners on a soft cloth first to avoid damaging the frame, mat and artwork. If you spray cleaner directly on the glass, you risk having that cleaner drip down inside the lip of the frame where it will pool, then absorb into the mat board. Unfortunately, we have had to replace a few mats for our customers over the years where this has happened during the cleaning process!

Prevent framing "pests"!

Did you know that there are many household pests that may be admiring your framed treasures? Moths, book lice, wood worms, flies, silverfish, spiders, and carpet beetles are among the "pests" that can harm your artwork.

How do you know if this is happening? Look for holes or stains – this is the first sign of invasion. If you notice any signs of insect activity, seal your framed piece in a heavy duty plastic bag (a trash bag is perfect) and bring it to your professional picture framer as soon as possible. They will be able to assist you in the next steps: cleaning, re-framing, or referral to a conservator.

Not all matboards are the same

Matboards are usually called regular, acid-free or museum/conservation quality. Regular matboards are often made with wood pulp (containing lignin) and have a core that may progressively yellow and become more acidic with time. Acid-free boards have had the wood pulp lignin removed, show a bright white core when cut, are fade-resistant and will not damage your artwork. Museum boards also share these qualities but are made out of 100% cotton rag, making them the only true conservation grade board.

Try taking some samples home with you

If you have narrowed your framing choices down to a few frames and mats but are still having a hard time deciding, don’t hesitate to ask if you can take the samples home with you for a few days. This is especially helpful if you are trying to coordinate any colors or woodwork…or trying to make sure that nothing clashes! We generally let our clients take samples for several days, with no deposit required.

Finding the right value for you

The framing materials that you choose can significantly influence the final cost of your project. You’ll find that different shops will carry a wide variety of materials, from inexpensive metal frames to hand carved, gold leafed frames and museum quality conservation materials. The goal should always be to find products that satisfy both your budget and your style. You can ask your framer to prepare a range of price quotes for you based on using different materials.

It’s okay to go into the store with either no ideas or a lot of ideas

There are times that you might have a very specific idea of how you want your artwork framed. However, not knowing what you are looking for is just as good a place to start from and not nearly as daunting as it sounds. Everyone knows what they don’t like and sometimes that is just as good a place to start as knowing what you do like. Either way, your framer should be able to work with the guidelines you provide and come up with several packages to choose from.

There are no absolute rules in picture framing – think outside the box

Don’t be afraid to think beyond a “typical” framing package. Explore the use of different textures, materials, proportions, and layouts. Consider shadowboxes and multiple-opening mats, hand-painted mats or even custom milled picture moulding. There are many custom options available that your custom picture framer can help you explore!