What are the various parts of a picture frame?

The Frame
The frame serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose: to protect, support and display the artwork while helping to integrate it into its surroundings. There are literally thousands of frame styles and combinations available, but some frame choices "make better sense" than others. Crucial factors our designers consider when making suggestions are size, style, and color scheme of the artwork as well as the décor of the room in which it will hang.

At Pro Art Source we help you choose the right frame for your artwork and lifestyle. We have carefully selected a wide variety of quality moulding to better fulfill your framing needs and expectations. In our store you will find a collection of literally 1000's of mouldings in various finishes and styles in keeping with tradition as well as the trends.

An overview of "Pro Art Source's" moulding collection:

. Wood: From simple to ornate, stained to gold-leafed.

. Metal: From thin to thick, matte to polished in just about every color imaginable.

. Stacked Frames: The possibilities are endless! Any depth, any width; stacking adds color and textural variety.

. "Closed Corner" Frames: Beautiful hand-crafted gilt frames. The "seamless" frame.

Wood
We offer an extensive and diverse selection of quality wood mouldings in a variety of styles, finishes, textures, and colors.

Metal Frames
At Pro Art Source you will find a complete selection of metal mouldings from matte to polished in just about every color imaginable.

Not just for children's art and posters anymore, ask see what amazing designs we can do with your art when stacking metal frames!

Stacked Frames
Some stunning framing designs have been created by stacking frames of different finishes, textures and widths. It is a great way to widen framing or add depth to a framing design as well as really customize a project. Once you start stacking frames, the options are endless.

"Closed Corner" Picture Frames
"Closed Corner" picture frames is a line of hand carved, hand crafted gilt picture frames. All frames are custom made to your size and finish specification, in real 22k yellow gold or 12k white gold. Only the finest woods and traditional materials are used. You can choose from a variety of different frames in a wide variety of styles including authentic American Impressionist and museum reproductions.

Aren't all picture frames "Closed Corner"?
In most cases (depending on the style of the frame) the "join" in a "Closed Corner" frame is not visible. This is because all of the carving, sanding, wood treatment, and finishing is done after the frame has been cut and joined to your size specifications. Apart from the beauty of the frame, the result is an extremely unique and valuable product.

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Fillets
Fillets are thin, decorative portions of moulding designed to be added to frames, mats and combined with other fillets. Also called enhancers, we offer fillets in a wide variety of finishes and styles, sometimes specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a particular moulding but the majority offered to complement many moulding styles and finishes. When used in the frame itself, fillets allow you to individualize your framing by adding a bead of gold or a sliver of mahogany. Fillets can also enhance the artwork by separating the mat from the art itself. This look is perfect for use with larger mats by re-emphasizing the frame color or style next to the artwork. In combination, the use of fillets adds color highlights and drama - the "finishing touch."

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Matboards

The primary purpose of a mat is to create "breathing" space between the artwork and the glass; to prevent artwork from sticking to the glass. Aesthetically, the decorative potential of the matboard is limitless with the many colors and textures we offer along with all of the specialty design techniques our framers employ. For example, specialty mat cuts, french lines, and painted panels. We also offer a wide variety of fabric options for hand-wrapped mats.

Pro Art Source Matboard Standard:
We do not offer regular or "paper" mats which will, over time, turn yellow and stain artwork with the acids present in the board. Pro Art Source recommends that only 100% ragboards be used in the preservation of your artwork. Ragboard is museum grade which is the highest quality matboard available.

Matboard Tips & Ideas
1. Add a color to the artwork
2. Emphasize a prominent color in artwork
3. Consider extra wide mats for a dramatic effect - the extra space around the art draws the eye into the artwork.
4. Wide mats also move the frame farther away from the artwork allowing for larger, more ornate framing.
5. Create depth and interest with multiple mat openings
6. Use Small reveal mats to accent less prominent colors in the artwork

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Glazing (GLASS)

Glazing is an important component of most frame jobs. It protects artwork from dust, moisture and other airborne pollutants. While glazing serves as a protective barrier, it should never come in direct contact with the artwork. Any condensation on the inside of the glazing will be transferred to the artwork and cause damage due to mold and mildew. In addition, over time photographs in direct contact with glazing will stick to the glazing making it very difficult for it to be removed. The remedy? Matboards or "spacers" create the necessary space between glazing and artwork. There are two categories of glazing from which to choose: glass and plexiglass, and within each category a few additional options. Glass is most common; but, plexiglass is a great option if your art will be hanging in a kid's room or a high-traffic area. It is both lightweight and shatter-resistant. It is also best for shipping.

Two factors to consider in your glazing decision are level of protection and aesthetics, specifically, surface glare. If your artwork will be hanging near a light source (incandescent, florescent, or natural light), we recommend using an ultraviolet-filtering glazing. They will prevent fading, discoloration, and other signs of light damage. You may also want to consider one of our "non-glare" or "reflection-control" glazings. They are effective in significantly reducing surface glare.

Pro Art Source offers eight different types of glazing. Each one has it's purpose. Our professional framers will help guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate glazing for your particular project.

The following is designed to help you better understand your options. See definitions below or see our table of glazing attributes.

• Museum Glass
Benefit: Provides the highest level of clarity and protection from Ultra-Violet light available.

How it works: Specially designed glass that offers enhanced clarity by eliminating glare that blocks almost all UV light. This product provides the highest level of protection from UV light available.

. Conservation Glass
Benefit: offers clarity of regular glass as well as protection from harmful UV light that fades and deteriorates artwork.

How it Works: Filters up to 97% of ultraviolet light with a silica coating bonded to the inner surface of the glass.

. Reflection Control Glass:
Benefit: offers greater clarity by reducing surface glare.

How it works: RCG has been etched on one side. Light hitting the surface of the glass is broken up so it does not reflect and give a mirror effect nor does it blur the image to the degree of the old-style RC glass.

. Conservation Reflection Control
Conservation Glass with Reflection Control Properties

. Regular Clear Glass
Commonly used in framing and does not distort the colors of the art. With no reflection control or UV light protective properties regular clear glass can produce distracting surface glare and will not protect artwork from fading or deterioration. Not conservation grade.

. Regular Plexiglass
A light weight, shatter-resistant acrylic that offers some ultra-violet protection. Plexiglass is great option for children's rooms and high traffic areas.

. Non-glare Plexiglass
Offers the same benefit as Regular Plexiglass with the added benefit of reflection control.

. UV Plexiglass
Offers greater ultra-violet protection than regular plexiglass

. Non-glare UV Plexiglass (special order)
Offers the same benefit as UV Plexiglass with the added benefit of reflection control.

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Mounting
There are many different ways to secure artwork within the frame. Our recommendations vary depending on what is being framed. Pro Art Source does not suggest permanent mounting for artwork that is valuable. Permanent mounting alters the original condition of the artwork and can decrease its value. Pro Art Source uses archival materials and the best possible methods to ensure your artwork is protected..

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Backing
The backing provides stability and protection of the framed artwork. The materials used in the backing are important in protecting the artwork from pollutants entering the back of the frame piece. If the artwork has value, we recommend museum quality acid-free rag board (100% cotton rag) or acid-free foamboard be used as backing material.

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