Heirloom Tips
Extending Photo Longevity, Matting & Framing Tips
The backbone of framing your photo or art work is to create some distance from the glass for the purpose of reducing the chance of the picture sticking to the glass as well as that of moisture and mildew build up, giving some air space to breath. To do this you can attach your picture or photo to the back of a mat with acid free or archival tape. For any thing that is special it is important to utilize conservation, archival acid free matting for the benefit of lengthening the life of your picture.
When attaching images to matting I usually recommend using two or three small strips of acid free tape to hinge the top of the picture in place, never on all four sides. This will accommodate for the expansion and contraction that will naturally happen due to changing temperatures and humidity. When framing larger pictures (26” x 36” or larger) that are hinged to the mat, (rather than glued to a backing), it is important to consider the thickness of your matting, as there is a natural tendency, for this type of picture, to curve toward the glass over time, lending to premature deterioration.
The matting colour you choose should compliment your picture first and your home second, if you can make the two work together great, but remember you will probably change wall colors over time or move someday. A well chosen mat will give a break from the outer frame, otherwise the visual combination of the two will meld together a look like a thickened version of the frame itself.
The color your chose will help separate the picture from its surroundings, giving it its own unique space. When matting, remember the color you choose is the color that will pop out on your picture. With double matting you might want to use a more bold color for the onlooker’s eye to be drawn to for the inner mat but you do not necessarily want this color to over take the picture, so you place a complimentary, more subtle, color mat on top. Remember; dark mats could dominate your picture while light mats could intensify them. Dark mats can make your picture seem smaller while light mats can give the appearance of enlargement.
For large Photos you can get a good presentation by adding 1/2 inch or more of what is called bottom weighting, putting an extra amount of matting on the bottom part of the mat, giving the overall look of the picture a more dramatic effect. Professional frame shops understand that sometimes, artwork needs a lift. This gives a professional look and a feeling of support where the focal point in the lower region of the picture, making it more balanced and easier on the eyes. For square picture, bottom weighting is not recommended. When hanging two pieces of the same size next to each other on the wall. Simply have the mats cut smaller on the inner sides, so the pieces feel connected or in unison to each other when hung together. The wider you weight your mats, the more dramatic – and the narrower, the more subtle.
When hanging your pictures try to choose walls away from any heat source as well as where they will get any significant amount of direct outdoor lighting. Both of these can compromise and diminish the life of your photo. The general consensus is that it is best to hang photos at eye level; hallways are also a good area for photos, due to their proximity for close up viewing. Never over frame your picture, if it is a small, go with a thinner frame, while large pictures are well set off with thicker frame. Always keep your mat wider than your frame. General consensus is to have your mat at least twice as wide as your frame, and the larger the picture the wider the mat to maintain balance
Black and white images look fabulous with an off-white outer mat and black inner mat or the Arctic White by Crescent and as used above, a Harbor Gray inner built in. Neutral colors, like whites and blacks, are always great choices. Not only do they step back and allow the colors in the art to remain the star of the show, but they fit right into any room, regardless of what color it is painted.
