"We have the craftsmanship, the
creativity, the choice and the
experience to guarantee a framing design
that will best suit your artwork, your
taste, and your budget.
At Blue Wing Gallery and Custom Framing,
we provide exceptional quality custom
framing using mouldings that are from
the best manufacturers in the world. We
only use conservation framing materials—
matboard, glass, backing and sealing
tape. We have a vast selection of
matboards and mouldings, updated
throughout the year to reflect current
design trends. We also have a broad
range of framing options for every style
and budget for those projects which need
to be completed immediately.
Conservation Framing
1. Conservation framing means, first, we
will do no harm and is totally reversible.
A work of art must
remain in its original state in order for it to retain its value
(both intrinsic and monetary). In conservation framing, we never
trim or fold a piece of art, nor do we use glue to adhere the
piece to the substrate (backing board). Artwork is carefully
mounted with hinges which are totally reversible. This hinging
technique allows the artwork to hang from the top to prevent
damage to the piece that might occur with changes in
environment, such as humidity and heat, since artwork may expand
and contract at different rates than does the backing. Even if
the picture should fall off the wall (God forbid!) it would
incur less damage since the hinge would tear before the artwork.
There are other mounting techniques we might employ depending on
the age, weight, depth and medium in which it was created.
2. Conservation framing actively protects against
environmental factors which could degrade the object being
framed. Materials used in conservation framing are made to
withstand the test of time, and to protect the artwork they
encase. We carry only conservation quality mat boards because
they ensure clarity of color, won't fade and will never harm the
art they are bordering. Many frame shops tout "acid free" mat
boards as protective but truly are not. In "acid-free" mat
boards, the wood pulp has been neutralized with a chemical
process and will eventually return and cause damage to the art
with acid burn and yellowing on the beveled edge of the mat.
Only 100% cotton rag board ensures that artwork is truly
protected. Alpharag Artcare technology which actually extends
the life of art by slowing paper degradation, neutralizing acid
by products and protecting against damaging pollutants. These
museum boards are 100% cotton, fade and bleed resistant, totally
acid and lignin free and buffered to maintain alkaline pH. Let
us help you select mats to enhance and protect your art so it
can be enjoyed for years to come.
In conservation
framing, there is always at least 1/8" between the artwork and
the glass. Changes in heat and humidity cause paper to expand or
contract, so keeping it away from the glass prevents adhesion
between the artwork and the glass. Air space inside a piece that
has been conservation framed minimizes the condensation of
moisture which can cause mildew to grow, a problem that can
occur with regular framing.
The type of glass chosen can
also provide significant protection from harmful UV rays. There
are many kinds of glass, from anti-reflective glass to museum
glass, from conservation reflection control to acrylic, with UV
protection ratings that range from 45% to 97%.
Blue Wing
Custom Framing would be happy to consult with you on the best
way to protect your valuable art or irreplaceable family
artifacts. Discussing where the picture will hang in terms of
the light it will have reflected against it, also determines
what kind of glass would be best to show it off. We have samples
of all kinds of glass we can place on your artwork before you
decide what you like and what makes the artwork come out the
best.
In true conservation framing, the artwork is
encapsulated (that means quite simply, put inside an envelope of
conservation tape around the perimeter of the glass, mats, and
backing board) to further ensure no bugs will get in with even
greater results that with just finishing the back of the picture
with kraft paper alone.
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