Sizing & Measuring
- How do I measure my artwork? Measure the exact width and height of the outer edge of the image. For a wrapped canvas, measure from outside corner to outside corner.
- What is a rebate? It is the recessed groove or lip on the inside of the frame that holds the glass, art, mount, and backing board together.
- Do frames fit exact image sizes? Most custom framers add a small allowance (about 1/8 of an inch) so the art and glass fit securely without buckling.
Mountboards, Mounts & Mats
Choosing Your Mounting board
- Why do I need a mount board? A mount (or mat) holds the glass away from the surface of the artwork. This prevents condensation, mould, and photos or watercolours from sticking to the glass.
- Do I need a mount for an oil painting or canvas? No. Canvases and oil paintings are typically framed directly into a deep-rebate frame without glass or mount boards.
Picture Framing Glass & Glazing
- Choosing your Framing Glass?
- Standard glass is affordable but offers low UV protection.
- UV-protected glass blocks fading rays, making it ideal for watercolours and prints.
- Anti-reflective (museum) glass cuts glare while filtering light.
- Acrylic (Perspex) is used for very large pieces because it is lighter and less likely to shatter than heavy glass.
Care & Turnaround
- How long does custom framing take? Standard turnaround times range from 7 to 14 days, depending on the shop’s workload and whether special materials are needed.
- How do I clean my picture frame? Spray glass cleaner onto a microfiber cloth rather than directly onto the glass. This stops liquid from seeping under the edge and damaging the art.
Materials Framers Stretch
- Canvases: Cotton duck, linen, and synthetic art canvases (either blank or finished oil/acrylic paintings).
- Textiles & Needlework: Cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, tapestries, samplers, and lace.
- Silks & Lightweight Fabrics: Hand-painted silk, scarves, or delicate garments.
- Jerseys & Sports Memorabilia: Football, hockey, or basketball jerseys (often stretched over a custom-cut foam or board shape inside a shadow box).
- Papyrus & Special Papers: Certain antique or heavy-weight hand-made papers (though usually hinge-mounted or dry-mounted rather than tension-stretched to avoid tearing).
How do I care for my artwork at home
Avoid Heat
Ideally pictures should not be hung above radiators. Extreme or rapid changes in temperature cause paper and wood to dry out and adhesives to fail
Beware damp
Damp can cause pictures to ripple. If the ripples touch the glass, the picture might stick and be hard to remove. Allow six months before hanging a picture on newly plastered walls. Damp encourages fungal growth – likely to show as brown stains.
Conservation framing can slow these effects, but it is always best to avoid hanging framed pictures in humid conditions.
Hang securely
Use two hooks on the wall, each set about a quarter of the way in from either side of the picture. Check that the cord, wire or other hanger you use is designed to support the weight of your artwork.
Where safety is critical, in children’s bedrooms, for example, ask your framer about security fittings and glazing.
A gentle clean
Dust frames or treat with a soft brush, rather than risk applying water or cleaning fluids. Don’t use cleaning fluids or water on the varnished surface of oil paintings; again dust carefully. If cleaning fluids have to be used on the glass, apply them to a duster first (rather than spraying the glass directly); take care not to let the fluids touch the frame.
Return to framer
If you find any evidence of discolouration, unsightly brown dots, small insects under the glass or that the brown paper tape sealing at the back of the frame has come unstuck, return the frame to the framer. The varnish on oil paintings will gradually discolour, especially if the picture hangs in Smoky or polluted conditions. It should be replaced as it dirties. Ask your framer to refer you to a conservator. Oil paintings stretched over wooden bars may sag over time, and the bars can make a slight imprint on the front of the canvas. Take the picture back to your framer for tightening or re-stretching. The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends that pictures be inspected every five years.
Out of the light
Try not to hang pictures directly opposite large windows as sunlight fades colours and discolours paper. Special UV-coated glass can help to slow this down.
Handle with care
When carrying and transporting a picture, grasp the frame firmly on both sides. If you have to store pictures, make sure they are stacked vertically and the right way up. When stacking pictures, stand them ‘glass to glass’ so that the hangers do not damage the frames.
We are a member of the Fine Art Trade Guilds