What is Custom Picture Framing?
Custom picture framing is a traditional hand-crafted service. Design and business is conducted in our studio. Work is "hands-on", precise, and designed to meet your exact requirements.

Framing consists of several key elements:

Moulding or Profile:
the frame itself; designed with a milled rabbet which holds the matting, glass and backing to protect the artwork

Mat:
Made from either 100% cotton ("Rag") or acid free materials, mats have openings cut, usually beveled, with a "window" in which your artwork is displayed. Rag is the superior choice both for conservation and green practice.

Backing/Mount:
Depending on your requirements, the artwork is either hinged (conservations) or mounted to a backing. There are many materials for mounting, the most common being again Rag board, or acid free foam core. The matting is taped to prevent it from slipping after it is framed

Glazing:
Protective glass or Plexiglas are used in the front of the rabbet to protect the artwork from airborne materials or unwanted contact to the elements. Glazing comes in UV screen (shields ultra Violet radiation), and Non-glare options in both materials

Frame Space:
The mat normally serves to prevent the glazing separated from the artwork. Without minimal separation, moisture could penetrate, and there is the possibility that the artwork sticking to the glass and becoming ruined. Frame space is used in the case that artwork is NOT matted, floated for example for design reasons, ensuring the glazing and the artwork have suitable separation

Filet:
A small moulding without a rabbet, usually situated under the lip of a frame or inside the opening of a mat. these are normally used as accents and should be coordinated with the frame profile carefully.

Liners:
Liners are sometimes inserted into a frame to add an extra design element to the PROFILE. Liners can be two mouldings that happen to fit together, or, they can be raw profiles that are design to be wrapped with fabric or hand-painted. They can be inside or outside the glazing.

Hanging Hardware:
We use shielded wire, z-bar, and D-rings. Floreats are our hanger of choice for personal projects as they have a better design than conventional hooks. Z bar however offers the best solution, rendering the artwork 100% stable after installation - no possibility of rocking as it is a secure cleat system. This is also a good choice for larger mirrors.

Framing • Commonly Used Terms

“Frame Size”—The measurement across the back of the frame rabbet.

“Outside Size”— The overall outside frame size. This is also called the "OD" and is used for planning exhibit layouts for installation

Rabbet—The cut-out portion of the back of a frame that supports the art package.

Inner Frame and/or Liner —A secondary frame, joined inside another to form one larger frame, similar to liner frames.

Allowance—The difference between the size of the objects being framed and the inside dimension of the frame.

Rabbet Width—The measurement from the innermost lip of the frame opening to the inside of the moulding.

Spacers—In a frame, strips of foam board, matboard, wood, plastic, etc., usually placed in the rabbet under the lip, used to create a space between glazing and artwork package.

Glazing - protective glass or acrylic

100% Rag - Mat boards that are made from cotton fiber, 100%, neutral PH and are superior to all other matting products; standard for museum or conservation framing, although

Fitting - the labor and materials charge for final assembly of the frame, normally including the hanging hardware

Stretcher Bars - Wood moulding that is used for stretching canvases, with a special that provide 1/8" of taught rise at the outer edge of the frame