BESPOKE FRAMING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1993
At the end of the day, a frame could just be seen as four bits of wood! That statement really doesn’t do justice to the quality workmanship of a beautiful frame and is at best a bit simplistic. But it does highlight that most of the more “interesting” stuff in framing, tends to be happen on the inside. This is where the correct materials and techniques can help preserve and protect the artwork being framed. Using the right framing materials really does matter. While understanding the correct techniques and methods in preparing items for fitting into a frame will help prevent many of the more common problems in the future.
Advances in the quality of materials over recent years has been driven by many factors – not least of which was the setting of Mountboard Standards and the creation of Framing Levels by the Fine Art Trade Guild. The glazing industry has also been developing a wide range of high specification options, allowing us to offer more protective glazing at an affordable price than would have been possible even 10 years ago. In addition, a more comprehensive understanding of the tapes and adhesives used in framing, allows us to select the best options for each individual piece. So whether it is a simple poster fitted into one of our quality metal stock frames, or a historic document needing careful handling and to be framed to Level 1 standard – we have it covered.
Mountboard
Mountboard is used in picture framing to enhance the work; but it also offers protection as one of the ways to keep the glass from touching the artwork and support for the artwork within the frame package. Understanding the quality and specification levels of mountboard, means that we can choose the most appropriate version in each case. There are four levels: from Level 1 Museum, through Level 2 Conservation, Level 3 Whitecore, down to Level 4 Standard. Many mountboards sold in crafting stores and online contain impurities that mean they are Level 4 or even below. As a bespoke framer we primarily use Levels 1 and 2 boards. In 2021 the new Four Levels of Framing were introduced (replacing the previous 5) and they sit alongside the updated standards for the Four Levels of Mountboard. We are able to guide and assist you with choices that are appropriate from a design aesthetic, as well as the board’s suitability at the recommended framing level.
We have chevron corners to assist in the selection of suitable colours and board thicknesses at the design desk. Many of the colours we were used to pre-Covid were removed from the market in recent years. However, we have more than replaced them with bespoke hand-painted mount colours, primarily but not exclusively seen in our exclusive Keyline range. This increasing variety of colour options covers muted, subtle or pastel tones, through vibrant and fiery colours, into our rich metallic range. Each board can be linked to a matching hand-painted frame if required, or contrasted with any other frame of your choice. In addition, we are able to offer traditional ruled lines and wash panels – particularly useful when matching up to existing older framing styles.
All mountboard comes in standard sheet sizes with some colours also available in jumbo size. Jumbo boards are usually of the more muted colours. But our Keyline range means we are no longer limited when stacking combinations of boards together, as the highlight colour can be hand-painted. All boards can be used in combinations to suit your requirements. Mountboard can also be purchased in whole sheets or packs if required for home cutting or mounting – popular colours will be available to take home, other colours
may need to be ordered in.
We offer thicker mountboard for deep bevel effects in two different thicknesses. This can create a wonderful effect, especially if you mix and match the different mountboard thicknesses on one picture.
A mount can be one layer or multiple layers with different effects created. The aperture cut into the mount does not have to be a basic rectangle or square. With our Gunnar computerised mountcutter there are thousands of options for creating unique and bespoke mounts for your artwork. Our mountcutter allows us to cut thicker boards; create straight rather than bevel cuts if required on certain pieces and we also have a pen head that allows us to draw lines, shape decorations and even write on mountboard using a variety of colours and pen nib thicknesses.
We no longer stock ready made mounts as we found that people were making do rather than getting exactly what they needed. Instead we offer a bespoke cutting service for mounts so that you get just what you need – these can be cut while you wait if work levels allow. There is no need to limit yourself to square or rectangle apertures of a standard mass produced stock mount – we can do a wide variety of shapes and decorative borders so please ask for more details.
Glazing OptionsGlass is no longer just glass! The variety available mean to suit different applications allows us to offer a great choice of glazing options. We are always happy to discuss your preferred options and offer solutions to any conservation or aesthetic problems. We have samples in store to show you the difference this glass can make to your framed item. We stock standard, non-reflective, UV99, AR70 and AR99 glass. Other glazing options are available to order, with weekly deliveries. |
| 2mm clear Standard Float | Primarily used for Level 3 or 4 framing, or where price is a deciding factor. This offers a clear and perfectly flat surface but with low UV filtering of around 40%, which is around the same as the windows in your home. It is the glass most commonly used in ready made frames. |
| 2mm non-reflective glass | Primarily used for Level 3 or 4 framing. This offers a diffused surface to avoid light reflection but with low UV filtering equal to standard float. It can be useful when framing posters or other similar items, but is not suitable where the work is spaced from the glass. For many years it was the preferred glass to use up against needlework because it was mistakenly assumed to filter more UV light. The etched surface creates the difference between this and anti-reflective glass. |
| ArtGlass UV99 | Suitable for Levels 1-4 framing and is considered a Specialist Conservation Glass. The best selling UV filtering glass in the world. Offers high level of UV protection (99%) with no significant loss of colour yet handles the same as clear float glass. Is our most cost-effective specialist glass so offer an affordable upgrade to the best UV filtering protection. |
| ArtGlass AR70 | Suitable for Levels 1-4 framing. Is an affordable option for anti-reflection glass. Offers UV protection to 70%, so higher than standard glass but not enough to be a conservation glass. Allows you to view your work as if no glass is present. This is the best anti reflection glass available and our best selling glazing option. Ideal in box frames and at a reasonable cost. Also has the advantage of being a Water White glass so there is no green colour shift on pale colours. |
| ArtGlass AR99 | Suitable for Levels 1-4 framing, but mainly used at Levels 1-2. Is a Specialist Conservation Glass with 99% UV filtering. The market leader in this type of glass in the UK, used by professionals worldwide. This is not the cheapest glass, but it can be considered great value in the right context. It offers UV protection to the highest level as well as reflection control – the best of both worlds. Think of it as belt and braces. With the added advantage of being Water White so no colour shift. |
| Artshield Acrylic | Suitable for Levels 1-4 framing, particularly where a lighter weight is needed or where safety is an issue and glass cannot be used. It is a UV blocking acrylic with a scratch resistant coating applied. As clear as float glass, but will have more of a static reaction that glass. Not to be confused with normal cast or extruded acrylic, this version is design specifically for use with art. |
| Tru Vue Optium Acrylic | Suitable for Levels 1-4 framing, but mainly used at Levels 1-2. This is the best acrylic available worldwide for use with art, used by museums and collectors. Available in thicknesses from 3.5mm to 6mm, it is now a most cost effective option than 5-10 years ago. It has the same UV and AR properties as the AR99 glass. It has the advantage that you can use it for certain support methods as, unlike glass, we can place it against fabrics. Suitable where a lighter weight is needed or where safety is an issue and glass cannot be used. It has superb anti-static and anti-scratch properties and deserves its place as the market leader. |
Other glass types are available including laminated safety glass. We are always happy to go through the glass options with you at time of order to ensure we meet your exact requirements. Our specialist glazing is manufactured in Europe, with Optium Acrylic manufactured exclusively in the USA.
Mouldings for Bespoke Picture Framing
We take advantage of the wide range of moulding companies who supply the picture framing trade in the UK. We keep in stock a huge and varied range of mouldings and chevrons for you to choose from. In addition, we have catalogues from our suppliers which you can view and we are happy to order in additional free samples for you to look at as colours can vary a great deal from pictures in brochures or on the internet.
We deal with the leading moulding suppliers such as Larson Juhl, Lion PFS, D&J Simons & Sons Ltd, Frinton Frames, Rose & Hollis and Neilsen Bainbridge. We are happy to try to match up frames you may already have at home, even if it is not a moulding we normally stock.
Our ranges of mouldings in stock are updated throughout the year as new ranges come onto the market.
We also offer a full and extensive range of bespoke hand finished mouldings – some from a specialist English moulding company who will make your frame to your exact specification (samples available to view in store) but also finishes created in-house to suit your exact needs.