Plexiglass frames - A preferred choice

A picture frame is a great way to preserve your art for long. Often, when we go for custom made frames, there are many components that are needed to be chosen judicially. One of the main components that often gets neglected but is equally important; to create a visually appealing picture frame is, glazing. Glazing can be made of Standard Glass or Plexiglass. Standard Glass is the most common glazing used and is inexpensive and readily available. Standard glass is the best option for reproduction prints, posters and artwork.

Plexiglass is lighter than glass, and less dangerous to handle. Plexiglass, in its most advanced form, provides most of the benefit of museum glass and has the ability to filter 50-75% of UV rays along with being anti-static and scratch resistant. Plexiglass is a great alternative and preferred choice of framers around the world. Plexiglass is virtually impossible to break and can stand the test of time thus are normally used with art that needs to be preserved, is expensive and requires high viewing quality . On the other hand, Glass is heavy, can break easily and thus difficult to transport. Plexiglass also comes in several forms, with various standards such as coating, tint or matte finish.

For smaller frames, standard glass can sometimes be used, but for large frames, Plexiglass is the nest option as it is able to sustain its own weight. Museums also prefer Plexiglass over standard glass as chances of Plexiglass breaking is less. A standard glass glazing can break with little shock and damage the rare piece of history it is supposed to preserve. As Plexiglass can sustain vibration and mild shock it is preferred choice of framers who wants to give more durability to the frame. Glass on the other hand is good for smaller picture frame with a budget constraint and should be handled with care. So when it comes to durability, cleanliness and light weight, Plexiglass is the material of choice.

However following consideration is taken by framers when they choose Plexiglass

• Framers might not prefer Plexiglass when Painting is made with pastels or charcoals. As Plexiglass holds static electric charge which causes dust particles to stick to the surface and compromise clarity of image.

• If the budget is a constraint, then Plexiglass can be a costly option to fit in. Standard glass can be used especially for frames less than 32x40 inch in dimension.

• If the art to be framed is for reproduction prints, posters and artwork then standard glass can be the best option for framing over Plexiglass.

Amazing tips that can help you when framing a painting

Picture framing is like a science, custom picture framing takes some really good skills and a lots and lots of patience. Picture framing is also very vital to the art collector and to the artist in maintaining the value of art. According to a research, it is said that mostly everyone has had something framed once: a piece of art, a degree, a football jersey, you name it and you can get that framed.

Custom photo framing can be the best comrade or the worst foe of the art.  Imagine your best artwork not framed properly, and the damage it can do. Here are some tips for professional framers so they can avoid some very serious mistakes.

• Use Good quality materials:

This is one of the most important aspect of framing. If you are using low quality materials then beware, they will affect the art in more than one ways in addition they will also reduce the value of your art. When using mat boards or papers in framing then care should be taken that acid free materials are used.

• Select the glass:

Use UV protected glass always and suggest your customers to go for UV glasses. Ultra violet rays harm your art work, even if you have used UV glass then also try to avoid exposing the painting to direct sunlight. There are also options available in glass like the museum quality glass which is heavy.

There are also alternatives for the glass like the Plexiglass(Acrylic) which has got some good benefits over regular glass and picture framers are suggesting the use of plexiglass as it is safe and light weight.

• Selecting the proper mats:

Selection of proper matting should be done, you should match the mat with the frame or according to the picture type and texture. Make it look good not weird. Matt are supposed to keep the distance between the art and the glass. There needs to be some space between the art and the glass so that the art does not stick on the glass.

• Don't use tapes:

Using a tape is a big no. Don’t use the regular brown tape that you use around the house to fix things on the painting or the photograph they might damage the painting after a long run. When you will try to remove the tape from the painting then you can see the large amount of damage that has been done by the tape on the artwork.

Museum quality custom framing shops should avoid using tapes and if you want to then go for the framing specialty tapes. Don't damage some precious museum quality art.

These tips can be kept in mind to avoid turning your artwork into a disaster. The custom framers keep these things in mind and always try to make your artwork more beautiful, But as we can say that precaution is better than cure.

Why PlexiGlass Picture Framing

Introduction of PlexiGlass has significantly changed the trend of picture framing industry. People have a better option to glass to show off their creative artworks in a sophisticated way. Plexi glass doesn't just look similar to glass but also has some definite benefits that simple glass can't provide you. This difference of performance makes the Plexiglass one of the most obvious choice when it comes to picture framing.

Plexiglasspicture framing can provide your latest artwork a definitely sleek look that will also suit perfectly on your modern walls. 

Benefits Of Plexiglass Picture Framing 

Plexi glass picture frame | img: luminati.co.uk

   

Weight:
Plexiglass is quite lighter compared to usual glass. This means when you use Plexiglass for your picture framing, the assembly at whole will have lower weight and thus less probability of harm in the case if it falls down from where it is mounted. Also it makes it easier to transport your whole framed assembly from one place to another.

Clarity:
Though technically Plexiglass is not a glass, the clarity you get with Plexiglass is quite similar to that of glass. The only drawback with Plexiglass is its scratchy nature. However, there are improved versions of Plexiglass available for framing, it is still more scratchy than glass. Also Plexiglass is clearer than glass due to less amount of glares.

Thermo-formability:
Plexiglass, being acrylic product made of petroleum, possesses great flexibility and hence you can try using plexiglass for unusually shaped picture frames too. It allows you be creative with your framing assembly.

Shatter Resistance:
Plexiglass shows more strength and more shatter resistance compared to the glass. A Plexiglass pane can withstand more pressure than the same thickness of usual glass pane. It means that a plexiglass framing assembly would never shatter down into dangerous pieces as that of glass when broken by a reasonably heavy impact.

UV Protection:
After prolong artificial and outdoor exposure to light, Plexi glass doesn't change in looks. It means that Plexiglass is quite resistant to UV rays and it doesn't harm your artwork for long time. However, for preservation purpose, it is advised to use thin UV protective film with Plexiglass to save the artwork from UV rays.

Easy transportation:
Due to durability, lightness and flexibility level, Plexiglass is less likely to get broken or harmed while transportation. Especially when transporting the artwork over long distance, Plexiglass is far ideal than glass.

Color Choice:
Plexiglass comes in variety of colors which not only look good but also protects the artwork from harmful UV rays and sunlight. In case if you want to be creative with your Plexiglass framing, this is great option.

Decorative:
Due to sleek look of Plexiglass picture frames and quite plain structure, Plexiglass picture frames look quite elegant and sophiticated and makes clear display of your artwork which adds alive charm to your place. 

So if you are looking for picture framing for your artwork that looks great and performs even better, be sure you checkout Plexiglass picture frames before making your purchase. It is really worth checking out.