Framing newspapers, articles, and other printed media

Oct 5, 2020 | Caring for artwork, Gift ideas, Picture Framing, Projects

Framing newspapers, articles, and other printed media

Hear ye, hear ye!

There was a time when the only way to receive news was through printed material such as a newspaper. Now newspapers and magazines have become collectibles. Why? Fewer and fewer newspapers are being printed in favor of online and digital sources. Despite our transition to digital media, there is something about seeing a headline in print that makes it feel permanent and important. Just like a photograph, when you see it, it jogs your memory back to a special time. So what do you do with a collectible? You frame it! Read more about framing newspapers and how to do it properly.

How do you properly frame newspaper articles so that they can last forever? Carefully! Framing newspapers is challenging – the paper itself is meant to self-destruct. Because a newspaper is printed on a lightweight, non-acid-free paper, it needs all the help it can get to preserve itself. We use only acid-free materials that surround the paper to ensure no further damage will be done.

There are numerous ways to mount a newspaper. If individual articles are cut to create a story, then dry mounting is recommended to prevent and remove wrinkling. Mounting is done on a dark backing such as foamboard to prevent ‘ghosting’ (the reverse side text showing through). Because newspaper ‘yellows’ quickly, a UV protecting glazing is used to keep the fading to a minimum.

Looking for an old newspaper?

There are several websites that sell old newspapers. They are a great resource if you want a headline from a specific date like your birthday.

ebay.com

anydate.com

rarenewspapers.com

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Conservation-grade materials

We want your newspaper articles, magazine covers, and other collectibles to survive for a lifetime with minimal change of color, damage from glues, or out-gassing from materials that are not acid-free. Our framers use the very best materials for your projects.

Where do you begin when framing newspapers?

Step 1: Bring in the newspaper article

Step 2: We’ll help you decide on a design…

Step 3: Pick up your completed framed project!

More fun projects to consider framing

Sometimes wrinkles are part of the charm, like in this old article about Mark Twain.

Your grandparents’ wedding announcement gets new life in a custom frame.

Capture a moment in time by framing your favorite magazine cover.

Vintage sheet music makes a great addition to your music room decor.

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Framing oil paintings

Sep 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Oil Painting, Picture Framing

Framing oil paintings

The Different Parts of a Framed Painting

Oil paintings have been around for centuries. You’ve seen them lining the halls of museums, but do you know what it takes to frame one properly? What pulls it all together? Framing an oil painting is probably one of the most ‘taken-for-granted’ processes of picture framing. Let’s break it down into its parts.

Framing Oil Paintings

Is the painting dry?

You should not frame an oil painting until it is dry to the touch. If your painting requires a final varnish or glazing, you should not frame it until it is completely cured. Cured is not to be confused with Dry – oil paint can feel dry but is not completely cured. Oil paint reacts with air causing it to solidify over time. This process can take anywhere from two months to several years; how long it takes depends a variety of factors such as the thickness of the paint applied.

Oil paint can take weeks to dry, longer if the paint is really thick.

Stretching the painting

Most paintings are sold already wrapped around a wood frame, a method known as Stretching. Quite often an artist will stretch the canvas on a frame that is inexpensive, raw wood. These frames can damage the canvas painting over time. For a painting to last forever, it should be stretched on a good quality kiln-dried raised-lip stretcher bar. These stretcher bars come in a variety of sizes and depths. We can advise you about the quality of your stretched canvas.

stretched canvas

Framing Options

Now that your painting has the proper structural mount, you can give it the finishing touch – the visible frame that surrounds it. Traditional picture frames are frequently used to frame paintings, but we also have Floater Frames made specifically for works on canvas. When should you use a Traditional or a Floater frame? Most of that decision depends on what you like or want.

If an artist’s signature is covered by the 1/4″ lip of a traditional frame, use a floater frame.
If the edges of the painting are unfinished or you can see staples, use a traditional frame.
If your painting is not ‘square’ it will be very noticeable using a floater frame. Ask us how we can fix that.

Traditional Frames
Traditional picture frames have a lip that fits on top of the painting to keep the canvas secure. This lip covers approximately ¼” of the painting’s surface. The edges are completely hidden in the frame.

Floater Frames
Floater Frames attach to the backside of stretched canvas bars. The entire surface of the painting as well as the edges are visible. The canvas appears to float within the frame, thus the name Floater Frame.

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Does a frame make a difference?

Jun 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Picture Framing

Does a frame make a difference?

Yes!!! Most artwork benefits from having a frame

The frameless look is popular, but is it appropriate for what you need? Does it protect your art or enhance your image? Take a look at the examples below to see what a difference a frame makes.

“Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame.”

– GK Chesterton

Example #1

This beach scene is shown with three different frame styles: unframed, simply framed, and double framed. Which one draws your eye the most?

beach frame 1

beach frame 2

beach frame 3

Unframed Art – Wrapped canvas or print hung directly on the wall. Simple, plain, unprotected.
Simple Frame – Art framed with a simple frame that matches the neutral colors of the image will expand the view.
A frame will add stability to the wood frame the canvas is stretched on or protect the raw edges of a photo mount.
Double Frame – A second stacked frame adds interest. Visualize it on your wall.
Because of the contrast, your art immediately becomes a focal point. It looks like you are stepping into the picture.

Example #2

This cityscape is also shown with three different frame styles: unframed, simply framed, and double framed. Which one has the most impact?

Building 1

Building 2

Building 3

Unframed Art
Simple Frame – Add a simple silver frame that blends into the building.
Double Frame – Add a fillet (the black piece surrounding the art).
Notice how it gives it depth to the image and highlights the black in the windows?

What Is A Fillet?

A fillet is a small piece of moulding that fits inside a frame. It is decorative, designed to enhance, like jewelry. Ask us how a fillet would enhance your art.

Example #3

Take it a step further! Frame it your way. There are no wrong answers, only different tastes!

Unframed Art
Simple Black Frame
Black frame with gold fillet
Two frames + fillet = Stunning!

bird silhouette 1

birdsilhouette 2

bird silhouette 3

bird silhouette 4

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Framing textiles

Apr 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Family Framing, Picture Framing

Framing textiles

Fabrics, Clothing & Needlework can be Framed!

Just because a sentimental item is made of fabric doesn’t mean it has to spend a lifetime balled up in your closet. Textiles like autographed sports jerseys, handmade cross-stich pieces, delicate embroidery and heirloom clothing can be protected with custom framing. Fabric pieces make for rich visual displays so you can cherish your memories every day.

Clothing

Favorite clothing like baptismal gowns, wedding dresses, and sports jerseys make for excellent framed displays. Capture a long-gone moment or vintage style – relive a winning sporting event, a beautiful wedding day, or a baby’s first outfit each time you see these pieces framed.

Souvenirs

Besides memories, the best souvenirs from travels are pieces of art; once framed, the art lets you remember your travels every day! Many travel destinations have fabric-based souvenirs unique to that region. The bonus? It fits in your suitcase for the journey home.

Crochet Needlework

Hand-made crocheted pieces can be delicate, beautiful….and hard to display without proper framing. Crocheting, tatting & knitting are quickly becoming a lost art. Whether these were passed down through generations or machine- made in the modern era, show them off in a custom frame.

Cross-Stitch & Embroidery

Countless hours are spent sewing an embroidered piece – it is a labor of love – but once the stitching is complete, it still needs to be properly mounted & pinned. To display a cross-stitch or embroidery, it must be framed.

Heirloom Creations

The afghan that your great-grandmother knitted became so fragile that you packed it away. Wouldn’t it be a show stopper to display it for everyone to enjoy? Create not only a conversation piece, but an heirloom.

Should You Put Glass On Textiles?

YES! Glass provides Protection. If the piece will be in direct sunlight, UV-filtering glass will reduce damage from harmful UV rays. Glass also protects the art from dust, dirt, smoke and other indoor pollutants.

Acrylic Vs. Glass: Both materials come with UV protection, but…

PROS:
Acrylic: available in larger sizes than glass, it is not as heavy as glass.Glass: usually not as expensive as acrylic

CONS:
Acrylic: has static, can lift fibers and distort the look of the piece, needs a special cleaner
Glass: if broken, shards can permanently tear fibers, does not come in oversize pieces

Conservation Materials Are Important For Textiles

Textiles need the same acid-free protection

that art on paper needs. If mat and backing boards have acids in them, they can ‘burn’ into textiles, causing damage to the fibers.

What Is Behind Your Textile?

Your textile is stitched or pinned onto acid-free matting or backing board to ensure that it will stay in place. This process does not harm your piece and is reversible. Spacers (usually a thin strip of acrylic) are used to keep the glass off your textile.

Fresh look for the season

Mar 14, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Picture Framing, Spring Cleaning

Fresh look for the season

Design for Comfort in 2019

It’s Spring Cleaning Time! Time to clean the cobwebs and freshen up your space. Modernize your style with a few easy tweaks to your interior. New accent pieces and art showcasing popular materials can help give you a fresh look for the season. Refreshing a decor style can be as simple as a new coat of paint, a different pillow, or a new frame moulding.

The biggest trend in home decor right now is Comfort! The Danish have a word for it: Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). Hygge is not just a word – it’s a concept, an attitude of living a cozy life through the enjoyment of simple, natural things. In these tumultuous times, we long for comfort and seek a calming effect in our surroundings. Adding personal comforting touches to our homes increase feelings of content.

How do you apply Hygge to your home?

Infuse your space with your personality! Decorate with items that give you comfort. Maybe it’s a throw blanket, a photograph of nature, or a new light fixture. Pair these personal comforts with natural materials. Keep your decor simple (but not minimal). Look for patterned woods, linear accents, open geometric shapes, soft metallics, and warm fabrics.

What’s your Hygge Frame Style?

What each of us finds comforting is very individual. Our personalities determine what our personal Hygge style will look like. If you’re…

Serene & Calm: Frame a soothing nature scene with wood textures.
Fun & Quirky: Be Bold! Go with a bright color for your frame.
Trendy & Stylish: Choose a metallic frame (matte or rose gold).
Left-Brained: Pick art & framing that draws upon linear patterns.

Check your Framed Art & Pictures for UV Filtering Glass

How long has it been since you framed that photograph? Do you know if you have UV-filtering glass on the piece to protect it from fading? Bring it in, we’ll check it and advise you on what the best glass for your art is.

Conserve and protect your artwork

Jan 17, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Picture Framing

Conserve and protect your artwork

Conserve and protect your artwork this Halloween

Damage to your artwork can be scary!

Do you know what’s really scary? Framing that damages your art! Inferior framing materials and exposure to destructive elements can fade, discolor, and damage your framed art. Framing isn’t just about making your framed piece look good – it’s about looking good forever! This Halloween let’s avoid a framing scare by using the proper materials to conserve and protect your project.

Acid-Free Materials

Acid-Free is your new favorite framing term. Materials that have acidic components breakdown and outgas, discoloring and burning your art. ‘Acid-Free’ materials have had those harmful ingredients filtered out, so they do not cause damage. There are two main components in a picture frame that can potentially contain acid: Matting & Backing Board. We only use superior acid-free mats & foam core.

Matting goes on top of the art. If the mats are not acid-free, they out-gas and cause damage, seen as brownish edges on the opening of the mat. Matting color will fade if it is not acid-free, eventually clashing with the art color. If you have acid-burn or faded mats, ask us to re-mat your project with acid-free mats or 100% cotton rag mats.

Backing Board like foam core goes underneath the art. If it is not acid-free, it can burn your art, causing weakening of paper fibers and decolorization. We highly recommend always using acid-free backing board.

UV Filtering Glass

UV (ultraviolet) rays can wreak havoc on your framed artwork. If UV rays can burn skin, they can damage art as well. UV damage is a chemical reaction; changes take place at a cellular level that cause fading, discoloration and harm to your art. Art framed with ‘regular’ glass will often fade to a washed-out blue tone.

Just as we put sunscreen on to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, you need to protect your art by framing it with UV-filtering glass or UV-filtering acrylic. We recommend glazing that filters 99% of those harmful rays.

Just because your art is inside does not mean that it is safe. It still needs UV protection. Did you know that fluorescent lighting emits UV rays? Stop the damage before it begins and opt for UV-filtering glass.

Do I Need to Protect Fabric?

If you think your fabrics & textiles don’t need glass … think again. Fabric is susceptible to dust, smoke, bugs, furnace residue, hands-on people, UV rays, and so on. Some fabrics like canvas can withstand harmful effects better than others, but why risk it? Moths and non-visible bugs are especially attracted to silk and wool. Modern glass is nearly invisible, so you can enjoy the fine details of your textiles AND take advantage of the protective benefits glazing offers.

What is the difference between Conservation & Preservation?

Conservation: prevent injury, decay, waste, or loss of integrity

Protect a piece of art in its original (pristine) state.

Preservation: keep alive or in existence; make lasting – to keep safe from harm or injury

Protect a piece of art in its existing state.

What’s A CPF?

A CPF is a Certified Picture Framer. A CPF is experienced and must keep up with current methods and materials in the industry. The certification must be renewed annually to keep the designation. When a CPF builds your project, it is in the best hands.