Framing (hobby)

History

Picture frames fulfill several functional roles. They offer a means to display works of art, precious documents, photographs, and other items. They protect and preserve objects. They define the edges of the canvas, set the work apart from the environment, and help to guide the eye inward. A frame can be considered a margin, a container, or a window.

Frames can also be decorative objects. They can expand a canvas, complement the object being framed, and enhance a work of art. Some frames are works of art in themselves. Frames can be custom-made by a craftsperson, purchased ready-made, or selected from a stock of choices at a frame shop.

Although the idea of the frame began with painted borders on ancient Greek vases and Egyptian tomb paintings, early Christian icons represent the first framed objects. Made of gold and embedded with precious and semi-precious gems, these frames often contained inscriptions or featured designs that related to Christian themes.

During the Middle Ages, as portrait painting gained in popularity and art moved from the realm of churches to private collections, most paintings were housed in plain wooden frames. By the Renaissance, intricately-carved and gilded frames became the only respectable way to present a fine work of art. The taste for elaborate ornamentation continued through the Rococo period in the eighteenth century.

The Industrial Revolution introduced inexpensive, mass-produced frames made of both wood and metal. Enhancements in printing technologies allowed for the production of cheaper artwork and the proliferation of a wide variety of documents that the general public found worthy of framing.

Plastic frames, which could replicate the look of more expensive wooden frames, gained in popularity throughout the twentieth century. In the latter half of the century, new technologies and materials were introduced for mounting photographs and other artwork. The use of modern archival framing supplies such as matboard, mounting hinges, and backboard has drawn attention to the importance of preserving framed items.

Today, framed pictures play an important role in the interior décor of houses and public spaces, and frames play a key role in the presentation of art.

General supplies and tools

• Spray dust remover
• Glass cleaner
• White gloves for handling artwork and matboard
• Measuring tools, including metal-edged rulers and t-squares
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Mounting supplies (paper hinges, adhesive strips, adhesive spray) to attach artwork to backing board
• Spacers (in lieu of mats, or in between mat and artwork)
• Masking or archival tape for sealing edges of sandwich
• Backing paper (Kraft paper)
• Hanging hardware and wire
• Screwdriver
• Hammer

Ready-to-frame kits include all components, and most provide necessary hardware as well. The most common size frames are 5×7 inches, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, and 24×36 (poster size). Novices should remember that while many dimensions indicate the complete size of the frame, others may refer to the window size.

Pre-cut frame components can be purchased in lengths and assembled at home, which may require wood glue, or purchased pre-assembled. Glass glazing is best used for framing charcoals and pastels and is available in regular, archival, and nonglare varieties. The most common width is 1/16 inch, and it can be ordered cut to size from a glass supplier, craft store, or frame shop. Acrylic glazing (Plexiglas) is best for large work and posters because it is lightweight.

Matboard is available in regular, cotton-core, and museum-grade quality. Usually the measurements reflect the frame size, with smaller dimensions given for the window. For example, an 11×14-inch mat usually contains a 7½×9½-inch window. Backboard is usually made of foam board, which varies in thickness.

Additional supplies and tools needed for cutting individual components

• Glass cutter
• Heavy gloves for handling glass
• Mat cutter (handheld or machine)
• Utility knife
• Burnishing bone (to polish cut edges)
• Kraft paper
• Mount board
• Matboard
• Backing paper

Additional supplies and tools needed to cut and prepare framing molding

• Workbench
• Miter saw (a power miter saw is preferable to a wooden miter box and tenon saw)
• 80-tooth carbide blade
• Clamps
• Electric drill
• Pliers
• Tackhammer
• Trimmer
• Underpinning machine or hammer and nails
• Sandpaper
• Shellac or other finishing supplies
• Longnose pliers

Examples of embellishments for finishing frames

• Seashells
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Fabric
• Rubber stamps
• Stencils and acrylic paint
• Techniques

The following are general guidelines for the selection of frames and components:

Archival mats, backing board, mounting hinges, and other components that will touch artwork should be used whenever possible.

All components should be measured twice before cutting.

A custom-fitted frame and mat will usually enhance a picture better than standard-sized components.

In addition to the width and length of a frame, the depth of the "rabbet," or the part of the frame that contains the sandwich, is also important. All components must fit into this area. If too much space remains, additional backing board, mats, or spacers can be used to fill up the area.

Canvas artwork should not be matted.

A mat not only offers aesthetic appeal and guides the eye to the artwork, it provides important breathing space that prevents condensation from ruining the artwork.

Frame selection will reflect the qualities of the artwork, the location where the picture will be hung, and one's own personal taste. Frame selection software and online tools are available for this purpose.

General guidelines for preparing components:

Glass, matboard, and backing board should all be cut to the frame's window size.

To cut glass, measure, mark, and score with a glass cutter along a straight edge.

When measuring the mat window, allow at least 1/8 of an inch on each side to overlap the artwork. Draw cutting lines with a straightedge on the back of the mat.

The size of the mat border should complement the artwork and will be determined by the size of the frame, if using a pre-cut frame. Otherwise, the frame size will be determined by the final mat size.

To cut a mat, position a piece of scrap matboard underneath and cut with a sharp blade. Follow the directions provided with the mat-cutting tool.

Mount artwork on backing board by arranging it under the matboard window and marking with a ruler and pencil. Use hinges for watercolors, pastels, charcoals, and other drawings and paintings. Use an adhesive, dry mounting system, or cold mounting system for photographs, documents, and other non-archival materials.

To assemble:

1) Place the frame upside-down on a clean surface. Clean the glass and place it in the rabbet, followed by the mat(s), mounted picture, and any additional backing board.

2) If desired, the sandwich can first be secured along the edges with masking tape, which will provide added protection against dust and other harmful pollutants.

3) Secure the sandwich in place with points using a point driver or hammer brads so that the sandwich is held tightly in the frame.

4) If desired, attach backing paper. Cut the paper slightly larger than frame. For the best fit, dampen the paper first, and it will shrink to fit. Fix it with glue, and trim the edges if needed.

5) If necessary, drill holes in the frame and attach eyescrews or other hardware. Wind wire around the screws so that it is long enough to hang picture, but not so long that it shows above the frame.

Trends

The vast array of styles available today illustrates the fact that personal taste is the guiding principle when choosing a suitable frame. Many crafters enjoy embellishing commercially-available frames to create a personal touch. Inexpensive frames can be purchased at thrift shops and yard sales for this purpose.

Other trends include scrapbook or memory frames, in which shadowboxes are used to display three-dimensional items along with printed matter.

Picture Framing for Fun vs. Profit

Many hobbyists have found framing to be a rewarding and lucrative way to earn extra money. A spare room in a house or garage can make a suitable framing shop. One can choose to specialize in framing a specific type of art, such as photography, work directly with artists, or serve the general public.

Learning More

Organizations

Professional Picture Framer's Association (PPFA) <http://www.ppfa.com>

American Institute for Conservation (AIC) <https://www.culturalheritage.org/>

Books

Cunning, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Picture Framing Techniques. London: New Burlington Books, 2004.

Logan, M. David. Mat, Mount, and Frame It Yourself. New York: Watson-Guptill, 2002.

Oberrecht, Kenn. Home Book of Picture Framing. 2nd ed. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 1998.