From mouldings and mounts to the felt bumpers on the back, every element of the frame is important
If you’ve ever had a custom picture frame made, you’ll know that ‘frame’ refers to the complete item - glass, mount board, hooks, string and all - not just ‘the bit around the outer-edge’, which is in fact the ‘moulding’ (see our glossary of framing terms here). Although the moulding is the most aesthetic element to the frame, the quality of it is still very important. Solid wood and solid aluminium, compared to plastic or composite mouldings that are often used for ready-made frames, will provide strength and longevity.
Choosing the right glass for your picture frame
Once the client has chosen their moulding, the glass is the next consideration. As a starting point we would use 2mm float glass, but there are other options to choose from, depending on a variety of reasons.
If the item is to be hung in a public space, such as a school, we would suggest acrylic, for safety reasons. Acrylic can also be used if the frame is particularly large, as it weighs less than glass. We used acrylic for this large frame of a Louis Vuitton Aston Martin vintage poster. Glass would have been too heavy, and also a risk as the frame was being hung in a corridor. Artshield acrylic was selected for this, as it also helps protect from UV and is low scratch.
Over the years many manufacturers have tried to produce a high quality non-reflective glass, but we always use Clear Colour from Nielsen-Bainbridge. We have used this for a long time and trust the quality of product.
mountboards - or picture frame mount
If a mount board is required we use acid-free mountboard as standard, but we also use a conservation-quality board called Bainbridge Artcare on certain work. This mountboard has a patented microchamber technology which traps and neutralises the airborne acidic pollutants that can cause deterioration and ageing of the artwork. It can also trap any acids that are in the artwork itself and help keep them away. Artcare has a full colour range which is 100% bleed-proof and fade resistant.
The back of the picture frame is as important as the front
Each artwork has a piece of pH neutral conservation backing board behind it, protecting it from acids and impurities that may permeate through final back section. This helps prevent damage to the artwork and discolouration. The work is then double-sealed to help prevent dust and insects from getting inside the frame. In some instances - such as the House of Commons floor tile we recently framed - we cut a mount and glass or acrylic for the back, too, so that important or interesting details can be seen without removing the frame.
Every frame is finished with high-quality hanging fixings that are screwed into the frame, each suitable for the type and weight of frame. It is then strung with low-stretch white polyester cord, manufactured in the UK. Lab tests have proven that polyester has a lower extension under strain than nylon. Polyester does not rot and is unaffected by moisture that may be in the surrounding atmosphere - so no chance of your string degrading and the frame falling off the wall!
We like to take care of all the little details as well, such as adding felt bumpers. This provides three benefits: it helps to stop the picture moving, minimises marks on the wall and allows air to circulate around the frame. We use un-dyed bumpers which are 80% real wool felt.
To some it may seem that the quality of the materials used is higher than required; but for us, it is important to ensure the piece of artwork, regardless of its value, should be framed with the best materials possible - and the same care and attention as we’d give a Matisse, Picasso or Warhol - to reduce risk of deterioration over time.
Find out more about our picture framing materials and suppliers or ask you when you visit the Studio.