Note that the corners are done last. This often pulls out any
extra sagging. Fold the corners as you would a wrapped gift box.
Finally trim off excess canvas edges if needed but leave enough
for later re-stretching.
Framing, matting and care of your art print.
Due to the wide variety of
interiors or customer preferences we do not provide matting or
framing.
Most of Dave's prints are standard sized which means that they
will fit "readymade" mats, stretchers and frames
available at decor centers, department stores, craft stores or
framers often at prices lower than custom made. If you want
something special such as double or triple matting or custom
framing you can have it done at a frame shop.
The ready made sizes that match
prints are as follows:
A 5X7 inch image will fit and 8X10 mat which fits and 8X10 frame.
8X10 image prints fits a 11X14 mat
(8X10 opening) that fits an 11X14 frame.
11X14 image print fits a 14X18 or 16X20 mat that
fits a 14X18 or 16X20 frame.
12X16 image paper print will normally need a custom cut mat.
12X16 image canvas prints can be stretched on a 12X16 backer and fit a 12X16 frame. If you are stretching a canvas yourself stretcher parts of even lengths are found at craft or art stores. 12X16 ready made frames are also available. Canvas prints have a .5 to 1 inch unprinted border around the image to allow for stretching. (Excluding pre-framed. See Framing link above)
Most other sizes offered, such as 16X20 to 24X36 are also able to use readymade frames but there may not be a selection of mats for paper thus a canvas print may be your best option unless you have a mat custom cut.
Matting tips:
Traditionally only paper prints are matted. The purpose of a mat
is to keep the image face from touching glass and to enhance the
image or match a frame or decor to the image.
. Mats need to be made from acid free materials. This is
important since materials containing acids can eventually yellow
or brown print paper plus cause it to deteriorate.
. There is often a cardboard backer for the mat and print. This
must also be acid free or at a minimum an acid free sheet of
paper should be placed between the print paper and the backer.
. When adhering the print to the mat make sure to use special art
mounting tape which is usually double faced (sticky on both
sides). "NEVER" use masking, carpet or other tape or
glue since these will damage the paper print if it is ever
removed from the matting and negate any value.
. To mount a print: Choose a mat that fits the proper frame and
image size. Place a short strip of mounting tape on each edge of
the print. Position the print so that all image sides fit evenly
in the mat opening. It might help to do positioning while holding
the mat and print against a light source such as a window so that
you can see some of the image in reverse and check the edges for
alignment. Place a cardboard backer that is the same size as the
"frame" opening so that the print is between the mat
and backer.
Taking a print to a professional frame shop does not guarantee it will be mounted properly. Make sure you specify that you want art mounting tape used between the print and mat and not an adhesive gun or regular tape. Frame shops often offer what is called museum mounting. This is the use of all acid free material, proper adhesive materials, a liner between the print and the backer and a dust cover of paper covering the back of the frame. It should also include the use of special highly UV resistant glass for the frame. Full museum mounting may not be necessary but the use of art mounting tape to adhere the print to a mat is.
Be very careful of some on-line
framers. We know of one woman who found that her print ( by
another artist G Harvey) had been glued to a mat and when
she complained the email reply "she finally got" said
... "What's the problem? It's just paper." That might
be an acceptable attitude for a cheap poster
but certainly didn't fit concerning a $150.00 print that they
themselves represented as a collectors item. There was no
possible way of ever removing the glued paper print from the mat
without extreme damage. What she essentially wound up with was
"a piece of paper" not a collectable item. (Canvas can
be mounted to a surface with a mild bond (non-water based)
adhesive or double backed mounting tape as long as it is only
applied to the back of the image.)
Framing tips:
. The main tip for framing paper prints is to use UV resistant
glass if the print has dollar or other special value.
. Canvas prints can be under glass though it is not necessary and will add to
framing cost and defeat the visual affect of the canvas.
. For either matted prints or canvas it is helpful to have a back
dust cover which is paper adhered to the back of the frame.
Stretching canvas:
Stretching canvas is not always easy and it may be best to have a
framer do this. If you do want to try it yourself here is
how.
The backer or stretcher for canvas is a wood frame on which the
canvas is mounted. This frame, when completed, fits inside the
outer or decor frame. Stretchers are available at craft stores in
even length or you can make one.
You do not use glue or adhesives to fasten the canvas.
To stretch a canvas is really not difficult if you have a good
stapler. Upholstery tacks can be use too. Your goal is not to
have the canvas extremely tight with no give but rather taught
enough that sagging is not apparent yet loose enough that you can
move the canvas if you press on the surface. You may need to
re-stretch a canvas a couple of months later to tighten it up
again. (This is why you do not want to overdo the stapling the
first time you stretch … You want to avoid lots of staples
you have to remove later)
Step 1. Assemble
stretcher bars and make sure they are squared. If you do not have
a carpenters square you can use the sides of a table to or even
you frame that the picture will be going in.
Step 2. Lay the canvas over the bars. I often make a slight fold
or crease along the print edges and lay the print face down to
work from the back.
Step 3. You want to staple on the back of the stretcher if
possible rather than the sides BUT you can tack your first few
staples into 2 or 4 sides to help hold the canvas in position.
Step 4. Staple on opposite edges by alternating. Place the first
staple in the “center” of one of the longest sides. Go opposite of it and place
another. Go to the narrower sides and do the same. Keep centering
and alternating. Place staples so they are parallel to the sides.
Following is a chart that shows how to place staples or tacks
Note that the corners are done last. This often pulls out any
extra sagging. Fold the corners as you would a wrapped gift box.
Finally trim off excess canvas edges if needed but leave enough
for later re-stretching.
Canvas prints can be mounted on
hardboard instead of stretched. Use a mild bond (non-water based)
adhesive or double backed mounting tape. Only apply a bonding to
the back of a canvas.
Care of a print:
. The 2 greatest enemies of any art are light and humidity.
. The most important care tip for your art is to keep it from
direct or strong room or sunlight. No matter what the
pigmentation (coloring) or printing method, colors can fade over
time from strong light. This applies to original works as
well as prints no matter what medium used.
. UV resistant glass helps prevent light damage on matted prints.
. Our canvas prints have been UV treated.
. Never self clean a paper print. You can clean glass or the
frame but avoid getting any water on the print image.
. Oil based cleaners like furniture polish can stain or discolor
paper or canvas.
. When cleaning a canvas print use a soft cotton cloth. Dry
cleaning such as dusting is best. If you need to achieve better
cleaning than a dry rag will accomplish you can use a
"small" amount of mineral spirits on a soft cloth with
light rubbing. The cloth should only be slightly dampened with
mineral spirits. Be careful not to use to much because the
mineral spirits could soften the lacquer finish if applied to
heavily or left wet to long. Never use lacquer thinner on the
surface. If there is a stain or something more serious you should
take the print to a framer for cleaning. Make sure they are aware
this is a Giclee type image.
. If you display a print under a light such as those placed above
a print or track lighting use special low UV bulbs.
Summary
To preserve the current or future value of your print:
. Do not use permanent or water based glue or normal tape for
mounting.
. Do not use mat, liners or backers that contain acids.
. Do not have an image laminated.
. Do not allow the media to get wet.
. Do not place in an area with strong or direct lighting,
especially sunlight.
[Prices] [Purchasing]
New: We
have some fast and inexpensive computers for sale that have high quality art,
printing and photography software installed.
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classes on
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presentations you can run on your computer. Free trials
Tour these galleries.
Every painting or photography image is available
as a gift or greeting card.
[Greeting cards]
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print gallery]
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Gallery 1 Gallery
2 Gallery 3]
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tos]
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