moulding: color and shape
Choose a wood that will complement the piece. Some woods have dramatic detail while others are straight grained. Moulding shapes and angles can be milled if clean straight lines aren’t enough. Pick a color of wood to accent a subtlety in the art. Here are just six easily available hues of hardwoods with many others to choose from.
*I always opt for environmentally sustainable woods first. I also favor natural Carnauba wax finishes over polyurethane and use paint sprayers instead of aerosol cans.*
Stains and whitewashes can tame the starkness of some wood, and paints simplify the frame’s effect. I am also proficient in gold leafing, for a bold accent. Tall frames can make the art stand off the wall and shadowboxes encase three dimensional items. I can make custom canvas strainers as well. Though I prefer to handmake my frames: plexiboxes, metal frames, canvas stretchers (different than “strainers”) and other what-nots can be special ordered.
mounts
– 100% Cotton Ragmats (standard)
Ephemera or replaceable art – Linen Tape – Heat Based Adhesives
(Care should be taken with framers who make reversible or archival claims when using most adhesives out there, even if the box says acid free. Not so!)
Irreplaceable Art or Antiquities – Mylar corners or slings – Wheat paste or Methylcellulose and Japanese Kozo Paper – Beva Products – PVA Glue
glazing
Glass – Plain – UV (standard) – Nonglare UV – Museum
Acrylic – Plain – UV (standard) – Nonglare UV – Optium
backing
– Acid-“Free” Foamboard (cheap, but not recommended)
– Coroplast – Archival Cardboard
hardware
– Hardwood Strainers – Coated Wire (standard)
– D-rings – Security Hangers – Cleats – Other
delivery
Office visits by appointment – Contacts –
Pickup – Delivery – Fed Ex – Art Handlers –
Other?