FAQs
What makes Gateway Gallery Different?
Can you help me design my piece?
What can I frame?
What is conservation framing?
What is mounting?
What is a mat?
Why use mats?
What makes Gateway Gallery Different?
We specialize in preservation framing, the process and materials used to encase your artwork in a protected environment, as well as 3-D shadowbox framing, helping to turn your mementos into works of art to display with pride.
Back to Top
Can you help me design my piece?
With hundreds of frame styles and mat colors and conservation glazing, Gateway Gallery will help you sift through an infinite number of combinations to make your artwork look its best.
Back to Top
What can I frame?
You Name It ... We Frame It!
| • Oil / canvases |
• Pastels |
| • Limited Editions Prints |
• Documents |
| • Tapestry |
• Certificates |
| • Newspaper Articles |
• Mirrors |
| • Childhood Memorabilia |
• Wedding Mementos |
| • Maps |
• Trade Show Displays |
| • Needlework |
• Puzzles |
| • Leaded Glass |
• Money |
| • 3D Objects of All Kinds |
• Musical Instruments |
| • Sports Jerseys |
• Artifacts |
Back to Top
What is conservation framing?
Conservation framing (also known as preservation framing) is the professional application of knowledge, materials and techniques to the framing of valuable artwork such that the artwork is not permanently altered in any way. In short, it is doing everything possible to ensure that a piece of artwork removed from the frame at a later date will not show any evidence of having been framed, thus preserving its long-term value. Watch a short video explaining Conservation Framing.
However, complete conservation treatment of a particular piece of art is not always appropriate, desired or affordable. Therefore, there are always degrees of appropriate conservation to be applied in any situation. For example, a wrinkled and torn old poster, primarily of sentimental value, might best be dry mounted for its best appearance, but acid free mats and U.V. protective glazing applied to reduce the likelihood of continued deterioration. The designer will advise you of the options and possible consequences, but the degree of conservation is always your choice.
Back to Top
What is mounting?
There are many methods by which your artwork may be held in place within the frame. In general, there are two categories of mounting:
1. Permanent mounting
2. Conservation mounting
There are advantages and disadvantages to each method, and specific circumstances under which certain methods are recommended.
Permanent Mounting is just that -- the irreversible mounting of your artwork onto another material. Permanent mounting is usually done to improve the appearance of your artwork by permanently holding it flat and in position regardless of heat, humidity or physical mistreatment. While the appearance of your artwork may be improved, permanent mounting is not recommended in cases where the value (or potential value) of the artwork may be jeopardized by permanent alteration.
Conservation Mounting encompasses a body of techniques employed to hold your artwork in place without subjecting it to irreversible mounting processes. The objective of conservation mounting is to make it possible to remove your artwork from the frame at a later date without evidence of it having been framed.
Back to Top
Do I need a frame?
A frame serves three purposes:
1. To provide a solid, protective environment in which your artwork will remain safe from physical damage.
2. To provide a dependable, non-destructive means of displaying your artwork.
3. To provide aesthetic enhancement to the artwork.
We've all used the thumbtack and Scotch tape techniques at some time in our past. However, if the piece is important to you, you should consider having it professionally framed. Framing a piece of artwork which is valuable to you, either monetarily or sentimentally, will make it look better and last longer.
Back to Top
What is a mat?
A mat is the thick paper-like material you often see surrounding the artwork, filling in the space between the artwork and the frame. There are several reasons mats are used in framing.
The original and fundamental purpose of a mat is to keep the glass from touching the artwork. If the glass is in contact with the image, there is a risk of mold and/or adhesion between the two substances where they touch. The mat is normally positioned on top of the artwork, and the glass (glazing) is positioned on top of the mat. The thickness of the mat then determines just how far away from the artwork the glass is held, leaving a protective air space between the two.
A more recent development is the use of colored matting material. Mat colors can now be chosen to enhance the image or highlight aspects within the image. Today, matting as a design element has overshadowed the original purpose of protecting the artwork.
Back to Top
Why use mats?
The decision to use matting is, for the most part, a personal, aesthetic choice. Following are some considerations when deciding whether or not to use matting on any particular piece of artwork.
• If you do not want to risk damage to your artwork caused by mold and/or adhesion between the artwork and glass, then matting is the best way to hold the glass off of the artwork. (Note that a material called 'frame-space' can be hidden under the lip of the frame to serve the same purpose if mats are not employed.)
• The coloration of mats can be used to enhance an image, enliven the artwork, focus the viewer's eye, or make a statement of importance or elegance.
• Use the texture of fabric, suede, leather and foil to enhance the image.
• Cut multiple openings from a single mat to display several images within one frame.
• Mats can form an area around the image upon which decoration can be added.
• You may want to use mats to make your finished frame bigger so that it will cover a larger wall area than the framed image would by itself.
Back to Top
|
|
