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| WHY CUSTOM FRAMING? by Custom Framer, Anne Hessel Dutch Touch Gallery When you have a piece of art, a photograph or an item that you want framed, you have several options as to how to go about getting it done. With a photo, you can easily buy ready-made photo frame at almost any store. For a poster or print, many retail stores offer standard poster frames that are available in a variety of colors and sized to fit your decor. As an alternative, you could also visit one of the many "do-it-yourself" framing centers where, with the help of the employees, you can cut your own mats and build your own frame. With all these options available, why go to a customer frame shop? This article will tell you a bit more about the many jobs that a professional framer performs when it comes to your treasured art and precious memories. DESIGNING YOUR FRAMING PACKAGE Although a good artistic eye is something that can't be taught, there are certain rules of custom framing which lead to good design that can. When followed, these guidelines, well known to your customer framer, produce a beautiful, well-balanced framing presentation that enhances the work of art without overpowering it. For Example, did you know that the width of the mat border should never match the width of the frame? This tends to draw the eye away from the art it surrounds. Or that a poorly placed decorative element, such as a french line, can detract from the beauty of the finished package? Good design based on commonly accepted framing principles is one of the many reasons to custom frame. PROTECTING YOUR ARTWORK Perhaps the best reason to custom frame your personal and well-loved works of art is that a professional picture framer has the skills and materials necessary to preserve and protect them as closely as possible to their original condition. Acid- and lignin-free mat and mount boards contain no impurities which can damage the art they surround. Special UV-filtering glazing such as Tru vue Conservation Series glass can be used to protect art from the irreversible damage caused by light exposure. WHY A CUSTOMER FRAMER? Professional picture framers have the training and skills required to use these materials to beautifully present your treasured items in a way that will not only enhance their appearance, but protect them for your enjoyment for years to come -- a professional picture framer has been formally educated to know how to preserve, protect and beautify works of art, regardless of their known value. This information was provided for your assistance courtesy of Tru Vue, Inc. For more information about Conservation Framing, visit or send a note with your telephone number and e-mail address to Dutch Touch Gallery at 328 S.17th, Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 6:00) . |
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| CUSTOM FRAMING |
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| Dutch Touch Gallery Philadelphia, PA |
| The 40x42 frame package consists of four stacked mouldings (two linen liners, a gold fillet, and a gilded wooden frame) to create desired depth with AR reflection free glass to minimize glare. The shirt is filled with an acid free board and sewn onto a linen covered board. |
| The frame is a simple 12x12 black wooden frame. The backcore double mats have a v-groove around the image and the pumpkin is engraved into the mat. The package is covered with UV protected glass. |
| Photographs for this article provided by Anne Hessel |
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| CONSERVATION FRAMING by Custom Framer, Anne Hessel Dutch Touch Gallery What is conservation framing? Conservation framing specifically employs the use of materials that have been proven to protect and maintain art in as close to its original condition as possible. When should you ask for conservation framing? Value is, at best, a subjective thing. One way to measure it is in monetary terms; if the item you are framing represents an investment and has resale value, it should, most certainly be conservation framed. Of an equal, or greater value, is something that cannot be expressed in monetary terms -- it is something you treasure. This too needs to be conservation framed. How can you be sure you are getting conservation quality? Let your framer know that you want conservation framing on your project. Specifically: 1) Specify conservation series glass. Ultra-violet light is one of the most dangerous elements that your framed art can encounter. It will not only cause your colors to fade to a mere shadow of their original glory, but will cause the materials to begin to break down in the frame. Conservation quality picture framing glass is specifically formulated to protect framed works of art from the damaging effects of ultra-violet light. By specifying conservation glass, you are ensuring that over 97% of these most damaging light rays be filtered out before ever coming into contact with your valuables. 2) Specify conservation quality matboard. Ordinary pulp-based matboard contains acids and lignins, which over a period of time, damage the art they come in contact with. When going over your matboard options with your framer, ask to be shown only conservation quality artboards. Conservation quality artboard is free of all acids, lignins, and other impurities found in ordinary "pulp" board. The result is an inert or pH neutral board which will cause no damage to the art it encases as time goes by. 3) Request a careful adherence to proper conservation techniques for mounting the artwork (sometimes called "hinging") and sealing your artwork. The framer should be fully versed in conservation hinging. Be sure to impress upon the framer how much the piece means to you, and demand that proper conservation standards be upheld. Where do I go to obtain conservation framing? Engage the services of a framer who cares and is trained in the conservation process, and who is committed to using high quality conservation materials through the entire project. Inquire about the framer and confirm the type of process to be used on your framed art before you start your project. ______________ Specifying conservation framing is an important form of insurance for your valuable art, keeping it as lovely as it is today for enjoyment for years to come. Even if its is more of a personal value than a monetary value, it deserves custom framing. A seldom recognized fact is that most pieces that we bring to a framer should be framed with conservation in mind. As a rule of thumb -- if the item being framed is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind photograph, document, or piece of memorabilia, or if it is an original work of art or limited edition -- it should be conservation framed. The cost premium for conservation framing is marginal and certainly well worth it. This information was provided for your assistance courtesy of Tru Vue, Inc. For more information about conservation framing, visit or send a note with your telephone number and e-mail address to Dutch Touch Gallery at 328 S.17th, Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 6:00) . |
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| Dutch Touch Gallery Philadelphia, PA |
| Photographs for this article provided by Anne Hessel |
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| Family Treasure Keepsake: Anne Hessel created this framed work in celebration of her first grandchild's birth. The foot prints are on the actual towel used to wipe the baby's feet and the blue card is the baby's hospital card. To add to the presentation, Anne created a picture of a frog in watercolor. |
| Framed collectible. |
| Anne Hessel strongly believes in, and practices, conservation framing. |
| CONSERVATION FRAMING |
| Volume 1 Issue 4 October 23, 2003 |
| Volume 1 Issue 5 November, 2003 |
| COLLECTING ESSENTIALS |