PRINTWhat’s in a frame?
Watch out for these framing faux pas
Charles Ludeke
Nancy Springer takes the cover off a frame before cutting it at Frame It Right. Professional framing can protect photos better than ready-made frames.
January 28, 2010 | 12:00 a.m. CST
A picture of the family dog is fine in a frame purchased for just a few bucks at Target, but Grandma might feel a little offended if her wedding picture gets the same treatment. Professional framing might seem intimidating, expensive or unnecessary but some pics require a little extra love.
Susan Leonard, owner and manager of Frame It Right on West Broadway, knows that retail stores seem more convenient, but she warns of the shortcomings of ready-made frames, which include anything found in aisles from Kohl’s to Hobby Lobby.
One of the mistakes people make is using the cardboard insert that comes with most of these frames, Leonard says. The insert is supposed to stand between the picture and the frame backing, but the acidic cardboard can break down and cause the picture to discolor. Glass can be another culprit — it takes years off of a picture’s life.
“If the glass has no preservation quality, the print will fade very quickly in sunlight and even fluorescent lights,” Leonard says. Current printing practices produce photos in need of more protection than before. “The dyes used today are not as strong, and they fade quicker, too.”
The conservation glass found in frame shops contains a special coating that offers UV protection. The glass can cost a little extra at Frame It Right, but Leonard finds that many customers make the upgrade for the sake of preservation: She says it’s a popular purchase.
Leonard also warns customers when it comes to placing the picture directly against the glass. For Grandma’s sake, use matting. Professional matting is a better option because it can be customized by size and color, but a retail mat can do the same job.
Kevin George, a framer at Great Hang-ups, knows all the benefits of professional framing but advises his customers to decide what their own needs are.
“For something they just want to buy in a standard size and put up quickly, it is fine to get a ready-made frame,” George says. Professionals understand the cost issue, so they don’t urge customers to custom frame every birthday party picture.
But Frame It Right does offer a hands-on approach that waives the labor costs of frame assembly and allows customers to be part of the process. For a 16-by-20 frame, the customer would save roughly $30 and still take the frame home that day, Leonard says.
So maybe those pictures of your New Year’s Eve party might not merit professional framing, but for the memories you want to preserve, don’t hesitate to drop by your local frame shop. If your memories are priceless, a few extra bucks might be worth it.
Twitter
Facebook
