Framin' Place FAQs

Ever have questions about Custom Framing? Just email your question to us.  

Here are some answers from our experienced staff to some basic questions you might have…

“Why does custom framing seem to be so costly?”

This is the question all professional framers are most often asked.  Each piece is considered individually, so solutions and choices are custom-made for each piece;  thus, custom framing.  Professionally trained framers helps point out and choose what is best for you, your art, and its preservation and display.  Top-quality design, materials and craftsmanship all come together to create that successful display of your art, documents or memorabilia.  Professional framers keep in mind conservation and preservation; we want your pieces to be around for you to enjoy, retaining their composition and color for as long as possible. 

“Should I keep my framed art (or documents) in special lighting or temperature?  I’m not sure…”

There is no one single answer for this question.  Artwork, photos and other documents valuable to you should be protected from the natural effects of aging, and any potential damage from their environment.  Your professional framer can help you determine what is best for the piece you present for the framing project.  We use wood framing, mats, glass and other materials made to help preserve your art pieces for as long as possible. The best rule-of-thumb is to remember:  If you are comfortable, so is your artwork.  Don’t hang or store artwork in extremely hot, cold or humid environments, and keep it out of direct sunlight.  

“Why do I need glass with the frame?  Can’t I leave the artwork open and just use a frame?”

“Glazing” (or glass) helps protects the art piece or document from dust, fingerprints, moisture, even accidents (like dropping or falling) that might harm or destroy a piece.  
Oil paintings, on the other hand, have traditionally been left open.  It was thought that the out-gassing from the natural aging of the chemicals in the oils of the painting would need to dissipate over time, and glass might inhibit that.  In the last few years, however, and with the creation of newer glazing products, professional framers and conservators have in many cases suggested placing glass over oils as well.

“Why is conservation glass so important?  Isn’t regular glass just as good?”

Any light source, no matter how indirect or dim, will fade a piece over time.  Colors will no longer seem as bright or as vibrant. 
Some glazing products protect art pieces, photos and documents from the harmful effects of exposure to light.  Even Premium Clear glass cannot do this.  Glazing such as Conservation glass or Museum glass goes a bit farther than Premium Clear glass, adding important UV protection to help preserve the piece from fading as quickly as it otherwise might.

“Why mats, and why are mats so expensive?”

Mats help to enhance the visual display of the framed art or document., but mats also help protect the art or documents in several ways.
First, mat help separate the piece from physical contact with the glazing and frame.  This protects the art or document from “sticking” to the frame or glass over time.
Second, mat materials aren’t just paper anymore.  With newer advances in the creation of matting products, today’s rag mats capture and dissipate gasses to protect the art as much as possible from the natural aging process.  Acid free mats help balance natural chemical changes in art mediums, to protect the art.
Thickness, cutting and number of openings, color, texture and covering of mats (with cloth, for example) each add to a mat’s cost.

“How does the insulated bottle in my school lunch box know when to keep things hot and then know when to keep things cold”

Uhm…you should probably ask your science teacher about that…but if you ever decide you want to frame that insulated bottle as memory of those great times during school lunch hour, just let us know; we can build a great shadow display frame . . .