Conservation Framing

Having an artwork framed and displaying onto the wall to beautify your home makes you feel like a winner, particularly if the artwork that you purchased or have has a special place in your heart. However, do you worry that your artwork and frame will not last for long? This is the reason why we source around the world for quality conservation materials for your artworks.

Selecting the perfect frame and framing materials plays a huge role when you are at the framers. You should always inform the framers that you would like to preserve and frame your works in the best and safest possible way. Ask questions if you are in doubt, we are more than happy to answer your doubts. To know what materials used and the framing process is important too, so that you are clear and aware of what is being done.

Sometimes the gallery you bought the artwork from, may include in a framing instruction booklet – hand this to the framer and they shall know what to propose you.

Conservation Framing is using of UV Protection, Archival/Acid-Free Materials and also Art Sorb Sheet, this is to prevent any colour fading or discoloration and moulding occurring. It is not 100% protection, especially in our country which has high humid climate but the following steps below are recommended to keep safe your artwork as much as possible.

Step 1: Archival Materials

What you find above is a diagram of the frame layers for Conservation Framing.

1. Frame

We have a variety number of frames you can choose from in our shop. We have all types of frames that are suitable for all kinds of works

2. Glazing

This is an important component for works on papers as it protects your works from getting damaged. We carry both Glass and Plexiglass (Acrylic) with UV Protected qualities – UV Protected Glazing helps block the harmful UV Rays from the sun which will prevent the artworks from fading. We have 4 types of UV Glazing for your selection:

a. Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic

i. TruVue Optium Museum Acrylic which is known as “Virtually Invisible Acrylic” performs like glass and is trusted by the world’s most renowned museums.

ii. TruVue Optium Museum Acrylic are mostly used for framing and made as display cases for cultural heritage and fine art collections, even shadow boxes for display family heirlooms and personal mementos. It has anti-static properties that reduces cleaning and fabrication time, therefore it is ideal for use on textiles, charcoals, pastels, feather-work and light weigh paper. This is perfect for oversized works too because glass will be too heavy for larger works. If you have plans to move across the country or travel with frames, this is the product to use.

iii. Features of TruVue Optium Museum Acrylic:
• Virtually eliminates reflections
• Blocks up to 99% of UV rays
• Optimal light transmissions protect and brightens colors
• Anti-static protection that immediately dissipates static
• Durable hard coat protects against scratches
• Shatter resistant – safeguard against injury and damage to artwork
• Cleans like glass – easy to clean with common household glass cleaners, no special or specific acrylic cleaners needed
• Propriety coating is engineered for permanence

Clarity Difference between Standard Clear Conservation Glass and TruVue Optium Museum Acrylic

b. Evonik Plexiglas Gallery UV100

i. The Evonik Plexiglass Gallery UV 100 is a material made from acrylic that is extremely weather resistant and highly transparent. It offers at least 99.7% UV Protection. UV radiation is the main cause of colour fading therefore will prevent the artwork from getting damaged.

ii. This glazing also has anti-glare surface which has a slight matt surface on one side and smooth surface on the other. This diffuses reflections from windows and lightings.

iii. Here are the features of Evonik Plexiglass Gallery UV 100:
• Excellent light transmission and brilliance
• Outstanding weather resistant
• 100% recycling ability
• Easy to fabricate
• High surface hardness
• Light weight (half the weight of glass)
• Break resistant
• Highest UV Protection

c. Artglass AR 99™

i. The Artglass AR (Anti-Reflective) 99™ is one of the high performance anti-reflective glass with 99% UV Protection feature. It appears to look invisible to ensure almost crystal-clear vision and prevents fading from happening.

ii. In the market, it ranks the highest for outstanding clarity with the best UV Protection popularly used among museums and industry professionals as it preserves the original true color of the artwork, texture and of course the beauty of it.

iii. Here are the features of ARTGLASS AR 99:
• Helps prevent from fading
• 99% UV Protection
• Less than 1% light reflection
• Crisp image resolution
• No “Orange Peel” surface distortion
• Neutral color from all angles
• Meets requirements of the standard ISO 18902
• Conservation Grade Glass according to Photographic Activity Test (PAT) ISO 18916
• Follows Fine Art Trade Guild and Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) Standards
• 99% Conservation Level UV Block is certified by National Physical Laboratory in UK according to EN 410

d. Artglass AR 70™

i. The Artglass AR (Anti-Reflective) 70™ shows the true colors of the art without any green tint or optical distortion. It is one of the original anti-reflective products which is about clarity. It provides excellent viewing experience that reduces the reflections to less than 1%.

ii. The Artglass AR (Anti-Reflective) 70™ is great for your home, it does not attract dusts etc., scratch resistant and can be cleaned with ammonia-free glass cleaner and microfiber cloth.

iii. Here are the features of ARTGLASS AR 70:
• Improved light transmission
• 70% UV Protection
• Easy to clean and abrasion-resistant
• No colour shift under an angle
• Easy to process to your specifications
• High durability and long lifetime of the coating
• Passing Photographic Activity Test ISO 18916

Clarity Difference between Artglass AR 70™ & 99™ and Regular Glass

3. Acid Free Window Matting Board

Matboard is essential in conservation framing because it provides the appropriate amount of air space between the artwork and glazing to prevent it from having any contact and provides a visual resting effect between the frame and artwork.
Our 100% cotton matboards used are acid free, pH-buffered, pH-neutral, chlorine free and contain no lignin for maximize protection. Rising Museum Board in White and Cream is the preferred choice by our clients

4. Hinging Artwork onto Archival Mounting Board

Hinging is a method framers use to secure an artwork onto a backing. The hinges are made up from an acid free Japanese tissue and the “glue” are either wheat or rice starch paste as they are reversible. Below are the steps on how hinging is done:
• The Japanese tissue will be glued to the back of the artwork using the wheat/rice starch paste, leaving about 1” portion coming off of the artwork’s edges.
• Artwork to be placed flat onto the archival mounting board.
• With the extra portion around the artwork showing, a second Japanese tissue with glue, will go over the first tissue with contact only to the tissue and not the artwork. This will secure the artwork onto the backing board.

Archival mounting techniques

• There are other methods to secure an artwork, Mounting Corners. This will be placed at each side of the corners so there will not be adhesive used around the artwork.

Archival mounting corner

5. Art Sorb Sheet and Acid Free Backing Board

In conservation framing, we will insert an Art Sorb Sheet in between the Archival Mounting Board and the Acid Free Backing Board. The Art Sorb Sheet will absorb and release moisture in order to maintain the relative humidity. Sealing the entire frame with an Acid Free Backing Board that repels any moisture, should there be any in the walls/surrounding.

Step 2: Humidity Control

Singapore is known for its humid climate and it is one of the main causes that are not artwork-friendly. To protect the artwork against humidity, Art Sorb Sheet, a pre-conditioned silica material is inserted in your framed artwork to absorb and release atmospheric moisture in order to maintain a pre-set relative humidity. It has the capability to absorb up to 5 times as much moisture as regular silica and has even more efficient at higher levels of relative humidity.

Art Sorbs moisture control sheet to control and reduces humidity within framed artwork

Step 3: TIPS TO TAKING CARE OF YOUR ARTWORK:

Do not hang framed artwork or any types of artworks near or at an intense/direct sunlight.
Do not place artworks and frames on the floor.
It is not necessary to cover or protect an artwork or frames with a thick/opaque cloth.
Ensure artworks and frames are kept away from any heat sources.
Ensure artworks and frames are not near any vents
Do not hang artworks and frames indoors and not outdoors as the temperature change and moisture in the surrounding will affect the artworks and frames
Do not store artworks and frames in basements or garages, there is a possibility it will get damage due to leaks or environmental changes.
With the above precautions and tips, using conservation framing for your artworks will not be wasted.

Framing is an investment in whole. Not only does it allows you to admire it every day, it also ensures that it is kept safe in a well-protected environment. Good framing will last for generations to come!