TIPS TO EFFECTIVELY DISPLAY YOUR PRINTS
We all want to display our work to best advantage. Though we’d like to have an unlimited budget for custom framing, most of us have to be more creative (and prudent) about our framing and displaying investment.
The first decision concerns archival vs. non-archival framing materials. Why is this important? Non-archival materials contain acid and other contaminants. A print in direct contact with wood frames, or non-archival matte boards, will eventually show signs of these contaminants leaching into the print, discoloring part or all of it. So, if you’re going to use non-archival materials, it’s recommended you frame prints that don’t need to be around in fifty years.
CLEAR PLASTIC SPACER SEPARATING ART FROM GLASS. (HIDDEN BY LIP OF FRAME)
One of the most important considerations when putting glass over a matte or directly over a print is condensation. Moisture can get under the glass, and if the glass is resting directly on the print, it can cause immediate and permanent damage. For this reason, proper framing technique requires using mats or tiny spacers to hold the glass above the print, preventing direct contact of glass to image.
Once your print is out on display, it’s immediately under assault from airborne contaminants such as dust (dry or oily), moisture, insects, ozone, food fights, and ultraviolet rays from both natural and artificial light. To protect against these contaminants, we use either glass or high grade cast acrylic (plexiglass) . Which you choose depends to some extent on what method you’re using to display your work. Both are available in standard, glare-free, and ultraviolet blocking options. UV blocking is recommended for optimal print longevity. Acrylic is virtually non-breakable and useful when frequently transporting art, displaying in public or in children’s rooms, but is more costly and more easily scratched.
Please visit our showroom in The West Midtown Design District or call our friendly framing staff at: 404 352 9789. 1082 Huff Rd. NW ATL 30318 (next to Souper Jenny’s restaurant). Open Monday through Saturday.
