How to Judge Quality Picture Framing
Your keen eye can help protect items for over a century. This skill will help you determine when re-framing is necessary and make good decisions about preserving your artwork, photographs and collectibles. Effective evaluation of picture framing quality involves considering the frame's suitability, examining the frame's construction and looking for visible indicators of archival practices. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Learn to distinguish between high- and poor-quality framing materials. Familiarize yourself with the look of high- and low-quality framing supplies by visiting an art store or reviewing an art supply catalog.
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Evaluate how the picture frame relates to the artwork. An immediate tip off to a poor- or good-quality frame is the suitability of a frame's style. A quality frame does not detract from the artwork it contains.
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Examine the overall construction of the picture frame. Gaps in the miter joints are unacceptable. The frame should be rigid and free of wobbles or shifting. Look for advanced metal or wood craftsmanship techniques. Visible nails can call framing quality into question. Wooden frames should show evidence of a polyurethane seal.
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Check the mat window around the frame's contents. No matting or a naturally colored museum-quality rag board mat indicates high-quality picture framing. Colored mats should appear to float above the object within the frame.
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Look at the backing board for evidence of archival framing. Frame backings made of museum-board, high-quality corrugated board, Japanese paper, binder paper, buffered tissue and chemically strong polyester paper indicates high quality. Chipboard, cardboard, foam core, brown craft paper and wood suggest poor quality. Attachments and wires for hanging should not stress the frame or the art.
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Search for evidence of unprofessional framing methods. Professional framers do not use Elmer's glue, rubber cement or pressure sensitive tapes. All of these items are acidic and suggest poor-quality framing.
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Take a look at the frame's glass or sheeting and check for quality. A great indicator of quality picture framing is the art does not touch its protective covering. The presence of double-glass should raise questions about frame quality.
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Tips & Warnings
The quality of picture framing is dictated by a necessity to protect contents from physical damage, pollution and acid contamination---keep this idea in mind when judging picture frame quality. Accurate assessment of framing quality requires additional knowledge of media or object-specific framing practices.
Items of extraordinary value or monumental importance should be subject to frame quality evaluations by preservation specialists.
