Mats & Glazing

Structure of a Framing Package

This diagram illustrates the many layers needed to properly mount a work on paper. If the piece is to be floated we insert spacers under the rabbet of the frame to provide the air pocket needed to protect from moisture damage.

Archival Matting

We offer the full line of Bainbridge, Crescent and Rising brand museum boards. This allows us to pick, for instance, the exact shade of white to match the paper of your artwork. All the matting in our shop is done to very strict archival standards. All materials are ph neutral and all hinging is reversible.

Fabric Mats

Silk and linen wrapped mats come in an array of colors and textures.

Hand-Wrapped Silk and Linen Mats

In thickness options up to 5/8″ deep with bevel radius.

Glazing

Selecting the right glazing is an important decision to make. Both glass and acrylic options are available. The most important feature is that it have UV blocking properties. Modern anti-reflective glass is optically coated to provide excellent clarity. Avoid older types of non-glare glass as the frosted surface makes it difficult to see the art clearly especially with a mat.

The most damage from UV energy is caused by sunlight. Even if the artwork is not in direct sunlight, reflected light in the room can still be quite harmful. Fluorescent light will also fade artwork. Tungsten lighting emits the least amount of UV but keep in mind that the dominant type of light in homes is sunlight through windows. The colors on the right hand side of the spectrum will be affected more quickly so the fading is not just overall lightening but the color balance slowly changes until you are left with primarily blues. We need light to view artwork so it is very important to protect by using glazing that screens the damaging rays.

Our Glass and Glazing Options

Tru Vue Museum Glass

Best Glass Option

This premier glass product provides 99% UV protection to protect afainst fading and is optically coated, creating a virtually invisible finish for amazing clarity.

Features

• Conservation Grade 99% UV Protection
• Anti-reflective
• Anti-static
• Available up to 48″ x 68″
• 25mm substrate

Benefits

• Reflection-free viewing for amazing clarity
• Enhanced colors, brightness, and contrast levels
• Max UV protection to protect against fading
• Static dissipates, making it ideal for pastels and charcoals
• 25mm glass is 130% the strength of 20mm glass

Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic

The  Best Acrylic Option

This state of the art acrylic product combines all of the features valued in glass product with those features valued in an acrylic product into one glazing solution. It provides 99% UV protection and is optically coated, creating an almost invisible finish for amazing clarity. Like most acrylic products, Optium Museum Acrylic is half the weight of glass and is shatter-resistant. HOwever, unlike typical acrylic sheets, Optium Museum Acrylic performs like glass, with its anti-static and abrasion resistant features.

Features

• Acrylic
• Shatter-resistant
• Conservation Grade 99% UV Protection
• Available up to 72” x 120″
• Anti-static
• Anti-reflective
• Lightweight
• Abrasion resistant
• 3.0mm, 4.5mm, and 6.0mm substrate

Benefits

• Max UV protection to protect against fading
• Reflection-free viewing for amazing clarity
• Enhanced colors, brightness, and color levels
• Static dissipates, making it ideal for pastels and charcoals
• 50% lighter than glass for framing oversized items
• Ideal in a child’s room or in rooms where safety is a concern
• 20 times more protection from minor scratches, making it ideal for high traffic areas

OP3

Standard Conservation Grade Glass Product

This ultra protective glass product provides 99% UV protection to protect against fading.

Features

• Acrylic
• Shatter-resistant
• Conservation Grade 99% UV Protection
• Available up to 60″ x 96″
• 25mm substrate

Benefits

• Max UV protection to protect against fading
• 25mm glass is 130% the strength of 20mm glass

Picture Glass

Basic Option

Inexpensive option if protection from UV rays is not needed and glare is not an issue.