We begin a four-part series on the fundamentals of home photo framing with this article on allowing the image a little room to breathe. Because most people do not make their own frames or cut their own mats, we will not go into those subjects, but rather will focus on things to consider when using store-bought frames, mats and glazing materials.
A common mistake among do-it-yourself framers -- and a surprising number of “professional” framing shops -- is to put the photo in direct contact with the frame’s glass. Many frames, in fact, especially the smaller-sized frames, are designed such that the photo is supposed to touch the glass. The backing board that comes with these frames serves to sandwich the image between itself and the glass, keeping the image flat. For photos that have no significant monetary or sentimental value, that can be easily replaced, or that are not expected to have a long life span, this is a fine arrangement. (Let’s be honest -- not all photos need the special care that we will be discussing in this series.) For photos that do not fall into one of the above categories, however, the first cardinal rule of framing should always be: Do not allow the photo to touch the glass.
Over time, photos that are in direct contact with glass run the risk of sticking to the glass. Condensation inside the frame will cause the emulsion of the photograph’s paper to glue itself to the glazing material. Often this will begin around the edges or corners of a photo, but if left for long periods of time, the adhesion can become extensive. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to “unstick” the photo from the glass; attempting to do so usually only results in separating the emulsion from the paper itself. This means that the white, underlying paper may come off, but the image will remain stuck to the glass. Even if the photo is left undisturbed and no attempts are made to remove it from the glass, the presentation of the photo is flawed by the adhesion. Furthermore, the glass can never be replaced without significantly damaging the image, or even destroying it completely. Any collector’s value the photo may have had is lost.
The solution to this annoying problem is quite simple: the photograph should never touch the glazing material. The most common method of achieving this goal is cleverly disguised as a decorative technique: including a mat in the framing package. In addition to adding depth, color, and endless decorative possibilities, mats ensure that there is air space between the photograph and the glass. They are readily available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and if you don’t find one that suits your tastes for a particular photograph, any framing shop should be able to custom cut a mat for you. Custom mats can be personalized in an infinite number of ways, and have many more color and material options than off-the-shelf mats. They are also, however, much more expensive.
Mats are not the only method of achieving this all-important air space. If no mat is desired, a narrow strip of acrylic called a spacer can be used. Spacers are usually about 1/8” square by several feet long and have a strip of adhesive on one side. They are easily cut to desired lengths and come in white, black, and clear. They should be cut to the length of each side of the glass, then stuck to the outer edges of the glass using the adhesive side of the spacer. (Note: not the sides of the glass; the outer edges of the flat part.) Then simply frame the photograph as usual, ensuring that the spacer is in-between the glass and the photo. I have never found spacers on any store shelves, but again, any framing shop should have them. You just have to ask. Spacers are also inexpensive, usually costing around one dollar each.
A word of caution: if you decide to have a photograph or any other work of art framed professionally, and you choose not to use a mat, do not assume that the frame shop will use a spacer. Often they will not unless the customer specifically requests one. A woman I know, who did not know about spacers and therefore did not know to ask for them, spent several hundred dollars at a popular, national-chain framing shop to get a photograph of significant sentimental value framed without a mat. She trusted the framers to do what was necessary to properly frame her cherished photograph. I was with her when she picked up the finished package, and was astonished to see that the photograph was simply pressed against the glass. Especially given how much she paid for a professional framer, this was simply unacceptable. I refused to allow her to accept the package as it was, and insisted that a spacer be added. It took the frame shop no more than ten minutes to make the correction, and added five dollars in parts and labor to the price tag – well worth the many extra years of enjoyment that the woman could now expect to get out of her photograph. Bottom line: if someone else is framing your art behind glass for you, it is essential that you specifically request spacers if no mats will be used.
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