What is Conservation Framing?
We received a few questions on Conservation Framing...this FAQ should help you understand the process...
What is Conservation Framing?
Put simply, conservation framing 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 I 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.
How can I be sure that I am getting Conservation Quality?
Let your framer know that you want conservation framing employed on your project. Specifically, request the following:
- Specify Conservation Series Glass. Ultra-violet light is one of the most dangerous elements that your artwork can encounter. It will not only cause your colors to fade to a mere shadow of their former glory, but will cause the materials themselves to begin to break down right in the frame. Conservation quality picture framing glass is specially formulated to protect framed works of art from the damaging effects of ultra-violet light. By specifying Tru Vue Conservation Series® glass, you are insuring that over 97% of these most damaging light rays are filtered out before ever coming into contact with your valuables.
- Specify Conservation Quality Matboard. Ordinary pulp-based Matboard contains acids and lignins which, over a period of time, damage the artwork they come in contact with. When going over your artboard options with your framer, ask him or her to show you only conservation quality artboard, such as genuine rag mat, AlphaMat® or Tru Vue's UltiMat®. 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 artwork it encases as time goes by.
- Request a careful adherence to proper conservation techniques for mounting the artwork (sometimes called "hinging") and sealing your artwork. The framer you patronize should be fully versed in the specifics of conservation hinging. Be sure to impress upon him or her how much the piece means to you, and demand that proper conservation standards be upheld. Specifying Conservation Framing is an important form of insurance for your valuable artwork, keeping it as lovely as it is today for enjoyment for years to come. But even if a piece has value of a more personal nature, it can deserve conservation 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 you are framing is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind photograph, document or piece of memorabilia, or if it is an original work of art or a limited edition, it should be framed using conservation techniques and materials. The cost premium for conservation framing is marginal -and certainly well worth it.
Where do I go to receive Conservation Framing?
We provide you this information because we believe in and practice Conservation Framing. It is important that you entrust your valuable framing projects only to a trained professional who cares about the conservation process, has experience and the necessary skills and techniques, and who is committed to using high quality conservation materials throughout your entire project.
Please contact us at buckheadcustomframes@gmail.com if you have any other questions about our conservation framing services.
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