Custom framing is an art of framing which requires skilled craftsmanship, years of experience and gives the option of customizing your frame as per your requirement. It also helps in protecting your art and displaying it in the best way possible. In custom framing you are free to choose your material, design and layout to show your picture as per your liking.
Often Matting is used in custom frames which is probably the most complicated part of buying a frame. Mats can be made of cardboard or other materials that can serve as a frame within a frame. The frame separates picture from direct contact to the glass. Small air space between photograph and glass also prevents moisture build up. A mat can be decorated as per photograph’s specification- colored, decorated or pure white.
Preservation Grades
Mats should be made of acid free material. Everything that is in contact with the artwork should be acid free. Mats should also, not only be acid free but should have the quality to absorb has air-born contaminates that has the ability to damage your art.
Mats should be made of acid free material. Everything that is in contact with the artwork should be acid free. Mats should also, not only be acid free but should have the quality to absorb has air-born contaminates that has the ability to damage your art.
There are 3 grades of a Mat
Grade 1: Untreated Acid Core
This is a basic mat in which only surface is treated to reduce acidity but the core is untreated. So if a mat is cut or damaged from any side then the acid can leak from the mat and render the artwork yellow. This type of mat is best used for temporary framing for about 1 year.
Grade 2: Treated wood pulp interior
This is made of wood pulp fiber and is chemically treated to reduce acid property of the mat. They offer medium level of protection and are suitable for items which are valuable but not irreplaceable.
Grade 3: Cotton Based
These mats are not made of wood pulp but of cotton which are naturally acid free. This is best kind of material that can be used to create a Mat . They often come with lifetime warranty and the artwork is the safest when this kind of mat is used. However, they tend to be quite expensive.
What is a Ply?
Ply represent an important part of Mat. Normally mats are made of 2 core layers, and a backing; or 4 parts, hence the word 4 plys. However most mat board today are made with just 3 layers, and backing.
Grade 1: Untreated Acid Core
This is a basic mat in which only surface is treated to reduce acidity but the core is untreated. So if a mat is cut or damaged from any side then the acid can leak from the mat and render the artwork yellow. This type of mat is best used for temporary framing for about 1 year.
Grade 2: Treated wood pulp interior
This is made of wood pulp fiber and is chemically treated to reduce acid property of the mat. They offer medium level of protection and are suitable for items which are valuable but not irreplaceable.
Grade 3: Cotton Based
These mats are not made of wood pulp but of cotton which are naturally acid free. This is best kind of material that can be used to create a Mat . They often come with lifetime warranty and the artwork is the safest when this kind of mat is used. However, they tend to be quite expensive.
What is a Ply?
Ply represent an important part of Mat. Normally mats are made of 2 core layers, and a backing; or 4 parts, hence the word 4 plys. However most mat board today are made with just 3 layers, and backing.
Color of a Mat
One very important point to consider while choosing mat color is that, your Mat should primarily compliment the picture, and only then the other aspect such as color of wall, furnishing and decor should be taken as a factor, while deciding the color of the mat. Other important rule while choosing mat is that, mat should draw the focus of the image to the viewer’s eye.
