Friday, March 23, 2012

Tips for Prolonging the Life Span of Framed Pictures

By Autumn Lockwood


There are many different factors which will influence how long your pictures will last inside their picture frames. There's a mixture of factors that contribute to the longevity of a piece of framed art, such as proper framing for defense against environmental damage while on display.

Exactly What are Enemies of Framed Art?

Handling - faulty repairs, poor storage, and even your very own hands may cause creases, fingerprints, and stains on the artwork. Framing can offer complete protection if the art is properly protected with glazing (glass or plastic).

Insects - they are often attracted to "tasty" wood frames or even to the paste used to stick them together. The damage that insects can cause includes holes and deterioration of the frame. Unless insects are sealed inside the frame, proper framing can provide protection from them.

Moisture / Humidity - dampness from places that hold moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms, porches, homes near the beach and boats may cause buckling and warping of your artwork and mold growth. Unfortunately, framing cannot completely protect your art from moisture, but it can slow the absorption a bit. The simplest way to control moisture is to either control the environment where the piece is hanging or perhaps to put it within the proper place.

Air Pollution - chemicals, cooking grease, insecticides, smoke and ash from fireplaces can be harmful and cause stains and discoloration to your artwork. Framing can help you to protect your art from all of these things if it's covered with acrylic or glass.

Light - sunlight, fluorescent, incandescent, and picture lights can all cause fading. When you properly frame your art it will help, however the easy way protect it from fading is to prevent exposure to strong light.

Heat and Cold - extreme temperatures and extreme variations in temperature can cause warping and/or buckling of artwork. Proper framing and proper choice of where you hang your artwork can control this potential damage.

Acids and Gases - there might be harmful acids or gases within the framing materials or in the art itself which may cause deterioration and discoloration. Mitigate internal weaknesses with proper framing which will prevent damage caused by materials.

Specialist Picture Framers

It may be a great idea that you consult with a professional picture framer if you're concerned about these potential reasons for harm and the damage that they might do to your artwork. When selecting a professional framer, be an informed consumer. It may help you to make decisions if you go in with at the very least a rudimentary understanding of colors, design, and framing standards. It's helpful to know what the differences might be between something like an ornate vintage picture frame and an ornately jeweled picture frame.

The experience and expertise of the professional picture framer can vary widely, so be sure to watch for indications of professional standards. Framers serious about staying active inside the industry and maintaining current standards can reveal membership in the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA - in the USA and Canada) or perhaps the Fine Art Trade Guild (FATG) in the UK. Look for certificates or signs which will indicate training.

An additional idea is to talk to the framer and find out how they became active in the profession. Some of the best framers are the ones that grew into it as a family business or who figured out their job by doing work for a very long time in a excellent frame stores.

Word of mouth is usually another good option to finding a respected framer, since most people won't recommend a professional or a business unless they're satisfied enough to be proud of their choice.

Make sure that you follow these suggestions to prolong the life of your framed art, and you can enjoy your pictures for a long, long time.




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