Why frame art photography?

Framing art photography is important to ensure that you can continue to cherish it for a lifetime. The best way protect and care for your art photography purchase is to have it matted and framed soon after it arrives. Sizes are rounded to the nearest unit (inch or cm) please wait for the artwork to arrive before purchasing framing.

Your photograph arrives packaged with glassine, a translucent archival wrap. The tube, outer carton, and other packaging are intended only for transport and not long-term storage. It is recommended that you frame your newly acquired artwork or transfer it into appropriate archival storage within a few weeks.

Protect Your Artwork

Photographs are sold unframed to to give you control of presentation and greatly reduce the cost of packaging, shipping, and insurance.

Don't be intimidated by the process of framing art photography. You're not the first customer to walk into a frame store and admit you have no clue what you want. You also won't be the first customer framing art photography nudes. Frame shops have seen it all before!

The frame has two purposes: to protect the artwork and to present it well. The mat is an integral part of both functions.

When your artwork arrives, A. K. Nicholas recommends taking the unopened tube to a professional framer. Your local frame shop will be able to help you choose a mat and frame that suits your personal style. Because the photographs are shipped rolled in a tube, your framer must flattened them prior to matting and framing. The framer will gradually unrolling the photograph(s), with the glassine (translucent paper they are packed in) remaining on top. Flat, smooth weights are placed on the glassine as the photograph is unrolled to keep it flat.

Suggestions Framing Art Photography

In addition to enhancing the presentation, the frame and glass will seal the artwork from possible contamination. If your framer provides you with too many options, a basic suggestion for framing is:

  • Frame: 1 inch or wider black matte/satin wood (MDF on a budget)
  • Mat: 8-ply white museum board
  • Backing: acid-free foam  board or equivalent
  • Glazing with 99% UV protection (photography up to 36 inches:  glass; over 36 inches: acrylic)
  • Two D-rings and bumpers on the back allow for level hanging with two wall-hooks. A wire is neither recommended nor necessary.

Choose a frame shop that uses materials that are archival, beautiful, and acid-free for the protection and enjoyment of the artwork. It is important not to skimp on protecting the artwork. Use the list above to start the conversation with your framer, who will also provide expert consultation and specific advice.

Framing art photography: An 8-ply mat helps protect artwork and makes a bold impression
An 8-ply mat helps protect artwork and makes a bold impression

Framing art photography is important. Protect and care for your purchase.
Framing your artwork for display and preservation

Archival storage box for photography
If you cannot frame your artwork right away, choose archival storage.

Choosing a Local Framer

Choosing a frame shop is a personal decision, but one that can be daunting for the uninitiated. Your primary concern is the safety of your artwork. If you're looking for a framer for the first time, here are some recommendations:

  • A. K. Nicholas prefers owner-operated shops instead of chains, for less employee turnover and greater accountability.
  • Expect to pay for, and receive, quality. Don't be shy about asking for a quote (see specifications above as a starting point.)
  • The shop should be organized, well maintained, and visually pleasing.
  • Look for museums, galleries, and other prominent clients on the frame shop's client list.

Display Environment

For works on paper such as A. K. Nicholas's limited edition archival photography, a climate controlled environment is a must. Unheated or unairconditioned locations can damage artwork or allow gaps in the framing which may allow insects or contaminants to harm the artwork. Museums typically maintain a temperature of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit/20-22 Centigrade and a relative humidity of 45-55%. Excessive humidity (70% and above) can support growth of harmful mold and bacteria.

Collectors are warned that direct sunlight is harmful to artworks, even archival ones produced at Bella Nuda Arts. Hang your artworks away from direct sunlight. Artificial lights are fine, but avoid continual, close fluorescent or halogen bulbs because these emit higher levels of damaging UV (ultra-violet) light.

Your home may not meet these exacting standards, and that’s okay. The more consistent the environment, the better. Avoid direct light, direct heat sources and HVAC vents.

If you do not frame the artwork, make sure it only comes in contact with archival materials.

Why don’t you sell pre-framed art?

The art of A. K. Nicholas is not available pre-framed or ready to hang. This is because:

  • Art collectors often want a presentation that is personal to their space.
  • Framing art photography is a distinct speciality. The service of your professional framer, as well as your dialog with them, is a valuable step in this process.
  • Shipping framed work uses acrylic, rather than glass. Many art collectors prefer to have this replaced with quality picture glass, necetating a trip to a local framer.
  • Shipping costs of unframed work is significantly lower.
  • The 100% money back guarantee is feasible based on the cost of unframed art. Custom framing generally cannot be returned.

Framing Alternatives

If you can't or don't wish to frame your art photography immediately, it can be stored unframed in archival storage. There are several storage alternatives to framing art photography explained below. Archival storage can be portfolio boxes, archival tubes, or drawers.

Note that the standard shipping tube used by A. K. Nicholas is not an archival tube. Your art arrives protected by archival glassine. This translucent paper that directly contacts the artwork during shipping is intended to isolate it from the shipping tube for a few days or even a couple of weeks. The shipping tube is not intended for long-term storage. If weeks turn to months, it's time to transfer it to archival storage.

An archival portfolio box is a good start. Additionally, place each photograph in an archival sleeve, archival envelope, or interlieve with glassine. The strategy is to seal out contaminants (such as acids from wood, cardboard, paper, dust, and dirt) with a series of tight-fitting, neutral barriers. Stored flat, the photographs can be viewed from time to time.

An archival drawer system (flat files) can store the sleeved photographs with or without the use of a portfolio box. An archival flat file system is bulky  and expensive, but is a good option for a large, serious collection that cannot be framed. Flat storage is used by many museums for items which are too numerous to be displayed.

For space-saving archival storage, archival tubes can be used to store rolled photographs. If you prefer, you may request that the artist ship photographs in an archival box or tube. Please note there is a labor charge included in the cost of substituting long-term storage for standard shipping materials.

Storage Resources:

Gaylord Archival

Talas

Please note, A. K.'s  archival photographs are from limited editions. Photographs that are damaged in shipment will be replaced. Photographs that are damaged or lost after intact delivery cannot be replaced with an exact duplicate. Precedence provides that the option would be to purchase from remaining stock, if such is available. Please frame or properly store your artwork to prevent damage and consider if your insurance will cover loss.

Additional Thoughts on Glazing

Glazing is the glass or acrylic transparent barrier that protects each art photograph in its frame. UV protection is a must. If you have control over your lighting options and art placement, standard UV glass will suffice. If you may optionally ask your frame shop to upgrade to a higher grade or different type of glazing.

If a glare or reflection problem cannot be satisfied by adapting the lighting or display location, you may opt for non-glare or anti-reflective glass. These types of glass are either etched or coated to compensate for lighting problems. If you choose one of these, A. K. recommends the anti-reflective glass which uses a thin film to control reflections with less than 1% reduction in light transmission.

If the artwork is going to be transported, or if there is other risk of glass breakage, you may opt for acrylic picture glazing. Be sure to choose acrylic glazing with anti-static properties to minimize the attraction of dust. Acrylic scratches more easily than glass, so take care to clean it in accordance with manufacturer's instructions available from your frame shop.