You spent hours choosing the perfect mat and moulding, but have you thought about what’s really protecting the art?
Our job as framers isn’t just about making things look good; it’s about making them last. When we talk about Preservation Framing, we’re talking about the science of keeping a piece in its current, safe state for decades.
Here’s the quick and fun guide to the core principles that protect art from the inside out:
1. Know Your Terms: Archival vs. Acid-Free
These words get thrown around a lot, but they aren’t the same!
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Acid-Free: This just means the material starts with a neutral pH (not acidic). This is your basic safety measure.
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Archival/Museum Quality: This is the upgrade! These materials are not only acid-free, but they have added buffering agents (like calcium carbonate) that actively neutralize future acid damage from the surrounding environment. If the piece is valuable or sentimental, always go for museum quality.
2. The Golden Rule: Nothing Touches the Art! ️
The biggest threats to paper art are moisture, pests, and pressure. We fight them with separation.
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Air Gap is Key: Use a mat or spacers to create a visible air gap between the art and the glass/glazing. Why? Because if the art touches the glass, condensation can build up, leading to mold and the piece literally sticking to the glass.
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Mounting Matters: Never, ever use tape or glue that isn’t reversible or acid-free. For mounting art, we use techniques like corner mounts (small, photo-album style corners) or Mylar encapsulation (for very fragile items) to hold the art in place without touching its surface. Gravity is not your friend---never rely on a piece to just sit flat.
3. Build a Conservation Sandwich
Every piece of art needs a protective stack of materials.
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The Mount: The best thing to touch the art is a 4-ply**, museum-quality matboard**. This is the art’s primary buffer.
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The Backing: Behind the mount should be an inert barrier that won’t leach chemicals, like fluted polypropylene (Coroplast). This protects against moisture coming through the back wall.
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The Seal: The final step is covering the back with a paper or fabric dust cover. Materials like Tyvek or cambric fabric are strong and help seal out dust, bugs, and atmospheric moisture.
Preservation framing is like giving your art the ultimate suit of armor. It’s the knowledge that truly elevates custom framing from a craft to a lasting legacy!
