Tapping 140+ Years of Experience

With as much collective experience as we have here at the shop, our designers and framers are bursting with knowledge and tips, so we decided to share some of the pointers that could benefit our customers! From keeping your work safe while transporting, to keeping it looking great on the wall once it’s home.

1. Don’t compromise on the archival materials! A perfect frame can do a lot to make a piece visually appealing on the wall, but if you have a valuable or sentimental piece, don’t forget that it is the acid free matting and the conservation glass that will protect your piece in the long run. It can be tempting to save a little on the other materials to put towards the flashy frame, but you will be much happier with your piece if it is protected from acidic materials and fading from UV rays so that it will be around to enjoy for many many years.
2. Transport framed art face to face and back to back. If you are transporting more than one framed piece of art, it is best to stack or place the pieces so that the fronts (the glass sides) are facing each other, or back to back. This is due to the hanging hardware on the back of the frame. Screws, screw eyes, sawtooth hangers and other hanging systems can scratch the finish on your frame.
3. No hot cars! It is best to avoid leaving your art in a hot car for extended periods of time. The results can vary, such as damage to glossy/varnished finishes on photographs or paintings, warping of the frame, or moisture trapped behind the glass.
4. Two hangers are better than one. How many times have you hung a picture only to have to straighten it again any time a door slams or the wall is bumped? The best way to avoid this is to hang your pieces with two hangers instead of one. This will keep your framed work nice and level.
5. Use ammonia-free glass cleaner. Ammonia can be harmful to your art and are not recommended for cleaning framing glass, so ammonia-free cleaners are a much better choice.
6. Remove art from the wall before cleaning. Never spray cleaner directly onto the glass, especially while it is hanging on the wall. The cleaner can seep down between the glass and the frame, trapping moisture and damaging your art. Instead, take the frame off of the wall lay it down flat. Spray an ammonia-free cleaner directly onto a microfiber cloth and wipe the glass clean.
7. Use masking tape and clean copy paper to safely transport broken glass. If your glass is somehow broken, avoid trying to remove it from the frame. Instead, place strips of paper under any areas that may scrape or poke the artwork. Use masking tape across the broken areas to prevent the glass from sliding or cracking further. Then bring it into the shop and we will be glad to replace the glass for you! This can also be a good time to upgrade to UV protective conservation glass if you did not have it previously.