In the search for presentation of your artwork, sometimes the most obvious and simplest solutions are elusive in the vast array of frame, mat and mounting options.

Here are a few of the simple ones to consider:

Clearly Glass

Float your artwork between two pieces of glass.  For example, take an 8 x 10 photo, painting or drawing and mount it with adhesive transfer tape or glue to a piece of 11 x 14 glass – centering the artwork.  Overlay this with a second 11 x 14 glass and pop into a simple wood frame with no backing or

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Everyone is looking for an economical way of presenting your art or photos in a professional manner and many of the on-line art supply wholesalers have answered the call.

In most cases they have taken the most common sizes of regular and digital artwork and provided pre-cut mats in the common black and white combinations that suit those sizes including cutting the openings in the mats for the most common uses.

Then they have provided those mats in single or double with options like regular matboard, conservation quality or 8-ply conservation as

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Professionals attach their artwork or photos to the back of the mat – or to a backing board.  However, when using tape – they only tape the artwork to board at the top – often called “hinging”.

Why is this done?  Why not just secure the artwork all around to the board – would that not be more secure?

Beside the fact that the hinging tape or acid-free tape used to attach the art to the mat or board is made for that purpose and both strong and not susceptible to drying out – by hinging only the top of the artwork or photo you allow the a

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One of the ways to spice up a matted picture of either an event, family photo, achievement or keepsake – is to create a special opening in the mat you put around your photo or artwork.

This additional “Opening” can be a small round opening to hold a coin or medal, a rectangular or other shaped opening to hold a small object or simply a printed text, logo or graphic that somehow ties into what you are showing in the primary window of your mat.

 

The simplest example is the “message box” – a square or rectangular in

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A technique that is often used by custom picture framers is to “Float” your artwork.  This is most commonly used when you must retain the entire piece of artwork to be viewed – yet still wish to have a mat placed in the frame that keeps the artwork from touching the glass.

However, it is also an excellent way to frame some items for additional interest sake – for example a fine print on paper that has a torn or “decaled” edge that adds interest to the presentation.

Floating the work simply means showing all of the artwork by attaching it to

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One of the biggest reasons for personal framing is to mark those special events, awards or achievements whether your own or those of family and friends.

This could include graduation or other educational milestones, corporate and sales success, sports, music, the arts, etc.

We may not all have a World Cup or Stanley Cup or Top Salesperson award or certificate, but we all do have accomplishments and reached goals to celebrate.

Correctly matting and framing those captured events and triumphs will create something that you can are a

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The simple answer is that Picture Framing is a business - and one in which expertise, access to materials and often specialized equipment becomes part of the price.

In today's world where anything can be bought at a discount - value is often overlooked.  And value is not something that is equal in every one's eyes.  For example;  if you are a good mechanic and can repair your car yourself - you see little value in taking it to a repair shop and paying hundreds of dollars to change  a water pump.

Yet for many of us - the shop

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The following article has been presented many times as a basic understanding of matting and terminology in the Framing Industry. It is a helpful guide and deserves to be shown featured again.

Industry Terminology & Mat Cuts

The world of art and photography presentation can be a confusing place.

We hope that this page will reduce the confusion when browsing and/or placing orders.

Orientation of Mats and Openings

Types of Mat Cuts

Glossary of Terminology

Orientation of a mat and or

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With a variety of images both original and reproduction now appearing on Canvas and Canvas board - the "Floater" frame has become quite popular. This frame often has a "stepped" rabbet which creates the space between the canvas and the outside of the frame causing the canvas to appear to "float" in the frame window.

Often these frames are quite narrow in the face and just as often quite deep to give a block appearance on the wall.

It is an effective presentation and can also be a reasonable alternative to stacked frames and frames with liners.

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Canada has just lost a major wholesale distributor further consolidating the supply business in this market. Evidence of the recession and changes made by customers and suppliers alike to refine their businesses and cut costs, protect margins and look for efficiency.

These changes will also open the door for more regional and niche players again as the industry re-forms around the available supply of products.

Change is always both a challenge and an opportunity. I will be interested to hear about the affects of some of these changes on small

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