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Why does framing, in some instances, cost more than the art? The cost of your art in no way relates to the cost of the materials and labor involved in framing
the art. Many posters are 24x36 and cost about $20.00 to $30.00. Because of the large size, the poster will require
more framing materials than a smaller piece. This, along with the cost of labor to prepare the materials and assemble
them into a finished framing, will dictate the cost involved. Thus, the cost to frame this large inexpensive poster
may exceed the cost to frame a smaller more expensive work of art. There are also a variety of mouldings, matboards,
and glass that have a wide range of price points. We will be happy to give you an estimate and work with you to achieve
the look that you desire and stay within your budget constraints.
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Does my art need glass? Glass
is usually not used on oil and acrylic paintings. In rare instances, glass is used, (with a spacer) to provide extra
protection on fragile paintings. Most needleworkers understand that you should not put glass on needlepoint, (which
is done with spool yarn) or on cross-stitch. This is acceptable as long as mats are not used. We recommend glass
when mats are used because mats are paper and are subject to soiling and warping if left unprotected. Some photographers
suggest that their photos do not need glass because they have been "sprayed". We have found that while the
coating may protect the photo from ultra-violet rays, it is not protected from scratching and other damage that may occur.
We recommend some type of glazing (glass or acrylic) on all other items that are framed.
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There are so many choices of glass, which one is right for my framing? Glass, or "glazing", is an area of framing that is constantly changing and new, improved
products are being developed regularly. The first step is to decide if you like "regular" or "non-reflective"
glass. "Regular" is a standard clear glass, while "non-reflective" is regular glass that has been
etched to reduce reflection, creating a slightly frosted look. Regular glass is usually appropriate and lets you see
the most detail, but if you are hanging the piece in a room with a lot of glare, you might need to consider non-reflective
glass. We can show you samples of each to help you make the decision. The next decision is if you want conservation
glass. "Conservation" means that a coating has been applied that filters out the ultra-violet rays that cause
the colors to fade. Visually, you cannot see a difference between conservation glass and standard glass, but standard
glass filters only about 45% of the UV rays. Artwork should never be placed in direct sunlight, but since most rooms
get some sort of UV light, conservation glass is an excellent choice to protect your framed piece. Another improvement
has been in the area of non-reflective glass. As we previously mentioned, the non-reflective glass has a slightly frosted
appearance. The new product is "anti-reflective glass" and has virtually no reflection and does not have the
frosted look of standard non-reflective. It is nearly invisible on the framed piece. This glass is available as
"Regular AR" (which filters in the 45% range of the UV light), and "Museum" (which filters approximately
97% of UV light). Obviously, glass that has gone through more processing in order to change its reflective and UV filtering
qualities, will be somewhat more expensive. We offer all types of glass and show you examples so that you can make an
informed decision. Another type of glazing that you may wish to consider is "acrylic". We usually recommend
acrylic on larger pieces because of the weight of a large piece of glass. It is also a good choice if you are planning
to ship your framed piece, or anytime that you desire a lighter, shatter resistant glazing.
Do you offer do-it-yourself framing (DIY)? We no longer offer do-it-yourself framing. Once a popular genre, it has fallen out of favor in more recent
years; probably because people are losing so much of their free time!
Do you frame needlework? How should I prepare my needlework before I bring
it to be framed? We take pride in our needlework expertise.
Proper framing ensures that the needlework will be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Needlepoint can
be blocked at our store, so don't worry if they are not square when you bring them in for framing. It is very important
to keep your cross stitch clean as you work on it. Dirt from hands and hoops usually does not come out and shows up
more clearly once they are stretched and framed. You should have at least two inches of fabric bordering the work to
permit easy handling during stretching. After the piece is finished you should inspect it thoroughly for missed stitches,
loose threads and errors in word or dates. You should also sign your work. Even if the design is not yours, the
labor is. Your signature or initials and a date will become more significant as years go by.
Custom Framing Information
Framing Basics
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