With anything in life, there’s a trio of options, but you only get to pick two: quality, affordable or easy. Whether you have disposable income for custom framing or are a fellow budget art collectors, read on.
1) THRIFT YOUR FRAMES
Most frames available at big box stores these days are made of composite with either a vinyl faux-wood wrap or worse, sprayed on wood texture (I wish I were making this up). In a pinch, I’ll frame my work using these because let’s be real, I’m not made of money & time.
However, the best value frames require a keen eye, time & dedication. Local thrift stores often have walls & bins of framed artwork. Inspect potential frames to be sure there are no gaps in the corner joins and that they’re really wood. Of course, not all wood is created equal—you’ll notice some easily splinter. But when you finally find that gorgeous, genuine hard wood frame for 8 dollars, woo-hoo!
Look out for a framer’s signature or branding on a paper cover over the back. This means the frame was done professionally, often with top-notch materials. Taking it apart requires extra finesse including removing the paper back & staples holding the backer in place, but don’t fret.
Okay, so you found a frame, but it’s not the exact same size as the print… Good! Read on.
2) PROFESSIONALLY MAT YOUR PRINTS OR ORIGINALS
For a lux look, getting a frame larger than your print or original is best. A large mat showcases the artwork, isolating it from outside visual busyness. My go-to is at least a 2-3” mat border.
Did you know most framers are willing to mat your artwork? This cuts the framing cost majorly & ensures that your thrifted frame and mat fit perfectly. Matting requires a special offset 45° cutting tool that’s not very easy to use and lots of careful measuring and math.
Also important is that your artwork—especially originals—are matted using acid free mat-board. Over time, the acid will discolor your artwork. Professional framers should use acid free mat-board by default.
3) GET YOUR GLASS FROM A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE
Sometimes your thrifted frame might have missing or broken glass. Or maybe like me, you dropped your newly thrifted frame on the asphalt. Or when transporting cross continents with framed originals, one emerged from the checked bag significantly cracked. I called a big box store about replacing glass, and they quoted me 70 dollars for a small cut of run-of-the-mill glass! I reached out to my local hardware store who quoted me 6 dollars for that same cut.
If you know anything about framing glass, you know that the glass is important for UV protection. Prints and artwork displayed in bright locations can fade over time. Special framing glass slows this and better preserves the work. There’s even anti-glare museum grade glass available at professional framers. This stuff is bougsie, but definitely worth it if you’re investing in a really nice original, which brings me to the well-off art collector.
4) FRAMING WITH EXPENDABLE INCOME
If you can afford to, I highly recommend paying a professional to frame original artwork. Like with budget framing, I recommend a white or off-white 2-3” mat border. Double matting is another option for an even more lux look. Narrow one-inch wooden frames are one of the most affordable options and also one of the best looks.
Something to keep in mind is that historically, framing cost as much as, if not more than, the artwork itself. This still stands true today. However, a quality framing job by a professional will look amazing and double as excellent protection for your artwork.
5) HANGING & DISPLAYING
When you visit art museums, you may or may not have noticed how infrequently prints, watercolors & drawings are on display. They’re often only shown for short periods as special exhibitions. Unlike oil paints, these mediums are highly susceptible to irreversible sun damage. When displaying prints and originals in your home, consider the sun exposure of your chosen location.
That’s all I’ve got for you on framing for now. There’s always more to learn though!
Thanks for stopping by.
Best, Eleanore