Quality Standards
At The Frame Works, our philosophy and approach is to offer a high quality product at affordable prices. To that end, all the work we do and the materials we use conforms to the standards set down by The Fine Art Trade Guild. The Fine Art Trade Guild is the trade body for picture framers in the UK and Ireland.
The majority of our framing work is done to Guild Commended Level, although we can offer Conservation Level framing for items of particular importance where conservation and preservation are essential.
Commended Level Framing
| Objective | To visually enhance artwork and offer a moderate level of protection from airborne pollution and handling for about five years in normal conditions. |
| Suitable for | Replacable artwork of limited commercial and /or moderate sentimental value and where visual appearance is important. Preferably, processes should be fully reversible. |
| Moulding | No significant blemishes. Care must be taken to match the pieces. The moulding should have a rebate that is sufficiently deep to comfortably hold the sandwich. |
| Mitres | Accurately cut, pinned tightly and glued. Corners to be touched up so no unfinished moulding is visible. |
| Windowmount | A windowmount or slip should normally be used to visually enhance the artwork and distance it from the glazing…The corners of the windowmount must be cleanly cut; the mountboard must be free from blemishes; standard quality mountboard is acceptable of at least 1100 microns…. |
| Undermount | There should be a barrier between the artwork and the backboard, preferably should be made from standard quality mountboard (or better) at least 1100 microns thick. The undermount should be the same size as the windowmount and ideally should be hinged to it along the longer edge. |
| Attaching Artwork | Hinging to the undermount should be done with T-hinges, along the top edge, preferably using gummed paper tape, though self-adhesive water reversible white tape may be used. It is not acceptable to make hinges with a tape with a high acid content….Hinges should be attached to the back of the artwork, not the front and should overlap onto the artwork the minimum amount necessary to give proper support. Artwork must be properly centred and free from blemishes caused by framing. |
| Glazing | Float glass or better, free from obvious blemishes and of appropriate thickness…It is not acceptable for glazing to touch the artwork. For larger pieces…safety should be considered – eg laminated or acrylic sheet may be advisible. |
| Back board | Needs to be strong, rigid and flat and to protect artwork from damage. Must be cut to allow proper clearance inside the rebate. |
| Securing the frame | The frame must be secured with framers points or tacks. Flexible tabs are not acceptable. |
| Hanging | Hanging fixtures must be sufficiently strong to support the frame. D rings riveted to the backboard should only be used on lightweight items. |
| Finish | Dust and dirt should be removed and the glass should be cleaned and polished without smears. The back should be sealed – preferably with gummed tape. Masking tape, cellophane and parcel tapes are not acceptable. Pads or buffers should be applied to the lower corners. A label giving the date and the framer’s name should be adhered to the back. |
Materials
We use highly advanced inkjet printing technology to produce our fine art digital giclee prints. All our prints are produced on the Epson 9800 printers which use 8 inks, including 3 different blacks. These high quality K3 archival pigment inks have been tested by Epson to last up to 80 years in normal hanging conditions.
Paper stock
We use two types of paper. You can choose from a 270gsm satin gloss photographic paper designed specifically for high quality digital photographic printing. For fine art prints, we offer the option of printing on the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Satin 310gsm. This superb paper is widely recognised as the standard bearer for digital fine art printing and offers the weight of an art paper with a smooth, semi-gloss calendered surface which picks up every detail.
Mounts
Our mount board conforms to Fine Art Trade Guild Commended Level. It is chemically purified to remove the lignin and buffered with calcium carbonate. Mountboards are generally 1400 microns thick unless otherwise stated. The aperture is cut with a clean bevelled edge.
Glazing
We generally use high quality 2mm float glass or high-quality acrylic plexiglass. Although considerably more expensive than glass, the perspex material provides outstanding optical clarity whilst also being durable and shock resistant.
Canvas
We print on a 415gsm poly cotton blend canvas, specifically designed for fine art digital printing. The canvas weave is fine, allowing subtle details to be captured but is not plasticky like other canvases on the market. Our canvas prints are laminated with a single coating of satin laminate which provides enhanced UV protection and guards against scuffs and scrapes. Our stretcher bars are made from Poplar wood (not cheaper pine) and come with beechwood wedges on the reverse. High quality brass plated hanging fixtures are also attached on the reverse.
Acrylics
We offer two types of acylic. You can choose from an acrylic sandwich which consists of two 5mm sheets of acrylic or alternatively you can select a single 10mm acrylic sheet to which your image will be face-mounted on the reverse. The acrylic panels themselves have been laser cut and polished and come with anodized stand offs. Our unique Spring Thingy hanging system is also included. This system does away with the need to drill holes in your wall and allows your print to be easily repositioned anytime you want.
Aluminium
We offer 3mm dibond aluminium sheets which are cut to order. Prints are then mounted and sealed with a unique metal effect laminate. Wooden batons are attached on the reverse to which brass-plated hanging fixtures are then attached. Thus the finished aluminium print can be easily hung on a standard heavy weight picture hook.
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Packaging
We have put enormous time and effort into ensuring our prints are packaged expertly and delivered to you in perfect condition. All framed or stretched canvas prints come in custom-designed cardboard boxes and are carefully wrapped in bubble wrap to offer maximum protection. Corner edge protectors are also attached to framed prints and secured with stretch wrap. Wrapping is finished with acid-free tissue and all prints come with care instructions.