FAQ

I have a University of North Carolina basketball jersey that has been autographed by Michael Jordan. How should I frame the jersey so that it will be protected?

Lucky you! You have a very valuable sports memorabilia item and it needs to be protected. Here are several precautions that will protect your investment:

• Use conservation glass to block ultraviolet (UV) light and prevent the signature from fading.
• Signatures fade significantly if not protected by UV glass/acrylic.
  
• Do not let the glass touch the jersey as condensation on the glass could cause mildew and stain the jersey.
  
• Have the jersey sewn in place, not glued. Glue will be permanent and can cause stains. (You may want to remove the jersey at some time.)
  
• Have the jersey sewn onto an acid-free mat board. The acid of a regular mat board may stain and, over time, cause the fabric to deteriorate.
  
• Use conservation glass to block ultraviolet light and protect the signature from fading. Over time, the signature will fade if left unprotected from harmful ultraviolet light.

I have some restored Civil War letters that I want to preserve, but I also want to have them framed. What is the best way to do that?
Most inks used in old letters and documents are light-sensitive. We recommend that you make copies of the originals. Have your framer encapsulate the originals to preserve them. Then, store them away from any light or extreme temperature fluctuations.

The copies can then be framed in a normal manner. This way, you can protect the originals and display them at the same time.

NOTE: Very few framers are familiar with proper encapsulation techniques. Make sure your documents are handled by a picture framer who is certified by the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA).

When should I consider using acrylic (i.e., plastic) rather than glass as glazing for my artwork?
Picture frame quality acrylic is slightly more expensive than glass. There is no difference in image clarity between acrylic and glass. Furthermore, acrylic is also available in non-glare and ultraviolet blocking versions.

The disadvantages of using acrylic — besides the extra cost — are that it scratches easily, requires a special cleaner, and attracts more dust due to static electricity.

The following list has several examples of when to consider using acrylic.

• Consider using acrylic for any picture that measures greater than 32" X 40" in size. Glass is much heavier and much more difficult to handle and hang than acrylic.
  
• Acrylic is less susceptible to condensation or breaking than glass and so is a better choice for use in a bathroom or other area where excessive moisture is likely to occur.
  
• Acrylic is also a better choice for use in a child's room. (Again, no danger of breaking the acrylic.)
  
• Acrylic should also be considered when framing valuable art. Shattered glass will damage fine art.
• Ultraviolet blocking acrylic is recommended to protect valuable art from fading.

A framer told me that high quality artwork should never touch the glass. Why is that so?
The difference in temperature between the outside surface and the inside of the glass can cause condensation (i.e., moisture) on the art side of the glass. This is especially true during the summers here in North Carolina with the high humidity. This dampness can cause:

• Damage to the inks, resulting in color changes
  
• Growth of fungi, resulting in mildew and staining of the paper

The solution is to use mats, or spacers (i.e., acrylic strips that separate the glass and art), to keep the glass off the art.

How do I frame an old newspaper article to keep it from deteriorating?
Old newspapers and documents are very fragile. Before framing, they need some special attention:

• Deacidification - This process neutralizes any acid in the paper and prevents the paper from essentially destroying itself over time.
  
• Encapsulation - This process seals the newspaper article between two sheets of Mylar, allowing it to be stored or handled without further damage.

Once these steps have been taken, the article is ready to frame. Framing materials should be of museum quality to prevent further deterioration. These include:

• Rag (i.e., cotton fiber) Matting
  
• Acid-free Backing Materials
  
• Glazing with Ultraviolet-blocking Properties
  
• Proper Frame Sealing Techniques

I have a quilt and a cross stitch that I wish to frame. Is glass really necessary?
Yes. For conservation purposes, any framed textile should be glazed (i.e., placed beneath some type of glass) to protect against the following:

Airborne particles, such as dust, smoke, pet hair, or aerosol sprays
Handling, such as finger-poking, curious hands, food splatters, etc.
Glazing that filters out damaging ultraviolet (UV) light protects against fading. However, the glazing should not come in contact with the textile, remaining at least 1/4 of an inch away from the highest part of the textile.

Textiles absorb moisture that will cause mildew if they are not kept at a distance from the glazing.

What is the purpose of the smaller, inner frame?
The smaller cloth frame is called a "liner." It is used with works on canvas, much like mats are used for works placed under glass, to provide a visual "resting place" between the art and the frame for the eye of the viewer.

I have a canvas that needs to be cleaned. What is the best (and safest) way to clean it?
There are several things to consider before cleaning a painting on canvas:

• The age of the art work
  
• The medium of the art work (e.g., oil, acrylic, watercolor, or often a combination of different media)
  
• The number of times it has previously been cleaned or restored
  
• The current condition of the art work

If the art work is valuable enough to consider cleaning it, the work probably has either monetary or sentimental value. Cleaning is a delicate and risky task that should be performed by a professional with formal training. We are qualified to do some types of repair and can refer you to a conservator for more complex projects.

I would like to frame some coins to be able to see both sides. How can I do this?
Our favorite way to do this is the "floated coin" technique:

1. The coins are mounted onto a piece of glass.
2. A mirror is put behind the coins, set back enough so the back of the coins can be seen. (NOTE: this requires a frame with extra depth!)
3. The group of coins can either have a mat around them or not, whichever you prefer, although matting would require back to back mats for reflective purposes.
4. Glass and frame as usual.