What should I look for in a qualified framer?
Poor framing can destroy a print, so it is important to listen for certain terms when discussing a job with your framer—archival, acid-free, frame spacing, and UV protected glass, to name a few. Works on paper are usually “matted” or “floated” in a frame. The latter leaves the borders and deckled edge of the paper exposed for you to enjoy. If you decide to float your print on acid-free board, it is important your framer install “frame-spacing” around the edge of the frame; it is invisible to the presentation, but lifts the glass off of the surface of the print. One of the most important things to remember is the glass should never touch the surface of the print as this can encourage moisture to become trapped inside the frame and causing damaging mold and water stains. Because large sheets of glass can be delicate, for larger works it is recommended to frame with a UV protected plexi-glass. The framing process is the same, but you reduce the risk of broken glass damaging the surface of your print. If you like the frames of other works in the gallery, your Dealer can recommend a qualified framer, preferably someone from whom they commission frames regularly.