How to Frame a Photograph for Gallery Exhibition
Photographs exhibited at an art gallery usually require the artist to frame his work before the show. This involves choosing the appropriate frame size for the photograph, which is usually one size larger than the picture. For example, 11-by-14 inch fame should be used for 8-by-12 inch photograph. The artist makes sure the color and texture of the frame compliments the photograph. He is also involved in the framing process, which includes protecting the photograph with mat board and glass.
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Things You'll Need
- Picture frame
- 2 mat boards
- Photo corners
- Hinge tape
- Glass
- Canned air duster
- Hanging wire
- Cardboard corners
Instructions
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Mount the photograph to an archival quality mat board in a light cream color. Center the photograph on the board and attach it with photo corners, so no adhesive comes in contact with the image.
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Lay a second piece of mat board with a window opening on top of the photograph. Cover the image on all sides by 1/8 of an inch. Attach the second piece of mat board to the first piece with acid-free linen hinge tape. Construct the lower three sides of the frame together with the supplied hardware, such as nails or brackets. Lay a piece of glass on top of the second piece of mat board but behind the frame.
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Stand the mounted photograph up straight and use a canned air duster to remove dust from the glass before securing the top edge of the frame with the supplied hardware. Attach a hanging wire across the back about ¼ of the way from the top edge of the picture. Apply cardboard corners to protect the frame during transport.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a high quality mat cutter. As a rule, the less expensive a cutter is the more difficult it is to use.
Anti-glare glazing looks better on glass than on plastic.
Special plastic glazing is available which is unbreakable and scratch resistant, but requires special tools to cut. Find plastic glazing pre-cut.
Balance time vs. money. The more framing steps you do yourself the less money you will spend.
Some mat boards have chemicals added to keep a neutral ph, but they can bleed the colors of your photograph. Use unbuffered mat board. Look for "rag" mat.
Photographs should be able to be removed from the frame without damage and without coming into contact with adhesive or chemicals.
The photograph must not be left in contact with the glazing else it the emulsion will adhere to it.
Never use masking tape, Scotch tape, or materials not designed for the preservation of artwork.
Never apply adhesive to any part of the photograph and never use "dry mount."
Always provide a method for hanging the frame on the wall of the gallery such as a hanging wire on the back. Some galleries have special hanging systems.
Always have a mobile photograph repair kit for gallery exhibitions which includes several spare pieces of glass, mat board, frames, and tools in the event it is dropped.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
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Comments
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davau
Dec 22, 2008
Thanks for informing the readers of these issues. In one portion of the article you mention that some galleries us special hanging systems. I wanted to address this a bit more. While most any framed piece that will hang from a nail in a wall will also hanging from a hanging system, here are some additional tips for preparing a frame to be professionally hung from a hanging system. When using a hang wire on the rear side of the frame; more that wire higher up on the frame to perhaps as high as two inches from the top edge, and remove the excess slack in the hang wire as in this case it should be fairly taught. If you follow both of these tips, the framed piece will hang quite nicely on the wall and not as likely to hang away from that wall. Also, if the gallery hanging system uses cables, and if they are inclined to set multiple objects in vertical stacks on the same cable, yo -
argyle
Dec 22, 2008
Thanks for all the tips! I'll have lots of photos to frame after the holiday season.
