The Five Levels Of Framing
You have a choice on how much or how little you want to safeguard your picture. You may think you want the cheapest frame, but remember low-cost framing can actually damage your picture. Some art should be protected for future generations. Processes are designed to be fully reversible so your framed work can be returned to its former state prior to framing. We will be able to advise you on the appropriate level of framing for your artwork and how to make even a modestly priced print look its best.
Museum
The ultimate protection for high value items / valuable artwork
Lifespan: 30 years
Materials: highest quality materials available and the best techniques
Protects Against: physical and mechanical damage, airborne pollution and acids generated by many framing materials
Conservation
Helping preserve artwork of limited commercial / moderate sentimental value for future generations, where visual appearance is important
Lifespan: 20 years
Materials: conservation quality materials and the best techniques
Protects Against: physical and mechanical damage, airborne pollution and acids generated by many framing materials
Commended
Guarantees a moderate degree of protection, where visual appearance is important
Lifespan: 5 years
Materials: wider choice of mount board colour options than Conservation Level and some artwork will look better when dry mounted, a process that can also help disguise previous damage but that is usually not readily reversible
Protects Against: physical and mechanical damage, airborne pollution and acid damage
Budget
Visually pleasing, but offering no long-term protection
Minimum
Putting economy first
NB. The target lifetime assumes that artwork is not inherently unstable. Museum and Conservation frames should be checked every five years or so by a professional framer. A ‘condition of artwork’ report is made on all works to be framed to Conservation Level that are not brand new, prior to framing. Appropriate remedial action on deteriorating artwork should be taken before re-framing, which we can advise on local art restoration specialists.