Custom Framing FAQ’S:
Why go to a custom framer when I can buy ready-made frames
at Wal-Mart?
I’ve recently been reading a lot about acid-free mounting & framing.
Can you tell me why this is becoming such a big concern?
I spent 450.00 on an original watercolor I bought on vacation in Italy,
I would like to have it framed, but can I afford it?
Is there a rule to picking colors when I mat a piece of art?
Why should I spend a lot of money framing a cheap poster?
Why go to a custom framer when I can buy ready-made frames
at Wal-Mart?
Good question. A good custom framer gives you options you don’t have at Wal-Mart. Why settle for a frame, when you can get exactly what you want from a framer, not to mention the added expertise & creativity that they bring. Thousands of mats offer endless color combinations. Put that together with thousands of frames and you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind product. Additionally, at DoveTails we bring two generations of woodworking expertise to the table offering you another facet of creativity other framers cannot. At a frame shop, custom is the key word, and aren’t your memories worth that?
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I’ve recently been reading a lot about acid-free mounting & framing.
Can you tell me why this is becoming such a big concern?
Materials that have typically been used in the framing process are made from paper (wood pulp). These items contain a large degree of acid that will transfer (creep) into other materials causing discoloration, and other damage to potentially valuable items. Recent advances in technology have made available and affordable to the average consumer some products & techniques historically used by museums and reserved for preserving the most valuable art. Mats made from 100% cotton and mounting boards with pollutant scavengers built in are a few. Using these types of materials can preserve items for decades with little or no discernable damage to your work.
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I spent 450.00 on an original watercolor I bought on vacation in Italy,
I would like to have it framed, but can I afford it?
Can you afford to not have it framed is the better question. A hand signed original will likely appreciate in value over time. The condition of any work of art is a major factor to consider in its overall value. Have you ever watched the antiques road show and listened as the appraiser tells the owner of a piece of art that “with the discoloration, fading and tears what could have brought $5,000.00 is likely to fetch around $1,500.00”? Framing can preserve the beauty of a work by creating a micro-environment that will act as a time capsule, transporting your art/ memories safely through the generations.
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Is there a rule to picking colors when I mat a piece of art?
Some interior designers and framers may try to bully you into believing that, but the bottom line is there are no “rules”. Is there anything more subjective than taste? Doubtful. A general rule of thumb is that the frame and matting should compliment the art so as to draw the eye inward toward the subject not outward towards the framing. Keep in mind: it’s the art that necessitates the frame, not the other way around! The approach we take at DoveTails is one grounded in options. It is our goal to listen to our customers and offer ideas that will compliment the art while at the same time satisfy their unique style and taste.
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Why should I spend a lot of money framing a cheap poster?
This is probably the most common question and is the least understood. First let us say this: custom framing does not have to equal expensive framing. Not everything requires Museum glass, cotton mats, Japanese rice paper mounting techniques, and lifetime guarantees. A decision to have an object framed should consider a few key questions. The most important is: Does my art have value (monetarily or sentimental)?. If the answer is yes, then preservation framing may be necessary to protect it from aging and depreciation. If not, you can consider using other materials that are less expensive but still good quality. At DoveTails, we take a ‘State of the Art’ approach to framing; meaning the sate of your art should determine which of the different levels you may fall into. And of course, there are other considerations such as type of lighting & type of medium that also play a role in determining what’s best for any given job. You can be certain that we at DoveTails will be able to make recommendations to you that should help guide you in the right direction.
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