How NOT to do it …

Bad framing practice WILL devalue your artwork - sooner rather than later

Poor framing will devalue your artwork…..more info

Over many years, we’ve kept up to date with scientific progress and advice in our industry. What was acceptable practice a few years ago may now be regarded as poor, or even bad practice.

This particularly applies to mountboards and fixing tapes – the most common materials which have direct contact with your artwork. Poor quality (usually cheaper) material will irreversibly damage your artwork.

Experience is knowing what to use, and when.

Mounted using sub-standard board

This artist passed away a few years ago. His print was in grave danger of being irreversibly damaged by acid burn. Thankfully it is now properly mounted and framed.

A frameless glass 'clip' frame can save a few pounds?

A frameless glass ‘clip’ frame can save a few pounds?

This original caricature by a well known artist was put into a glass 'clip' frame with no protection. Notice how the acid from the board has burnt through the paper, and irreversibly damaged the artwork.

Artwork should be mounted onto a protective backing board

This expensive Limited Edition print has been endangered by being mounted directly onto an acid laden brown board. It's attached in completely the wrong way, with masking tape run the full width of the front of the print.

Signed celebrity photos badly mounted

A shocking example of valuable signed celebrity photographs mounted incorrectly, and attached using masking tape.

Cheap mountboard will damage your artwork

The calcium carbonate buffer in this mountboard has broken down, allowing the inherent acid to bleed onto and burn the artwork it is meant to protect.

Poor quality mountboard is often sold as 'Acid Free'. It isn't.

Poor quality mountboard is often sold as ‘Acid Free’. It isn’t.

Notice the 'Acid Burn' on the artwork - caused by poor quality mountboard breaking down. The only true 'Acid Free' mountboard is made from 100% cotton, not paper.

The wrong tape has been used

to fix this artwork. Notice the damaging residue on the artwork.

Cellotape should NEVER be used to fix artwork...

Cellotape should NEVER be used to fix artwork…

It will dry out, and eventually give way, causing damage to the artwork - in this case - an original piece. Also notice the acid burn on the artwork - caused by poor quality mountboard.

Using masking tape to fix artwork to the mount is amateur, not professional

Masking tape should NEVER be used in any quality framing job.Artwork should NEVER be attached directly to the front mount.This is an amateur attempt at a professional job.

Masking tape has no place in a professional framing workshop

Masking tape should be used for keeping paint off windows, not for framing! This job has been done by someone who THOUGHT they knew what they were doing.

Staples should NEVER be used when framing a shirt

This signed Glasgow Rangers shirt has been completely devalued by the 'framer' who did this, using staples and the wrong type of board support.

This shirt was stapled by the framer who did the work

Any potential value in this shirt has been wiped out. The shirt has been permanently damaged by the staples

This is how the shirt has been stretched -

This is how the shirt has been stretched –

This tape will eventually dry out, and is likely to permanently damage the fabric

Signed shirt showing tell-tale signs of poor framing practice

This shirt came to us for repair - note the double sided tape hanging from the bottom