Crafts Online Picture framing, and care of your frames

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Online Picture framing, and care of your frames
Buying picture frames and photo frames online. What to look out for, how to look after your framed pictures.

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If you need a spacial frame for your picture, with or without a picture mount, and you are ordeing online you will find two types of supplier. Those who can make a custom frame for you to the sizes you require (made to measure) and those who don't.

When ordeing online it is normal to givethe size of the picture you need the frame for. The framer will always include an allowance for expansion and contraction, the picture is not supposed to be a tight fit, neither is it meant to be a loose enough fit so that it rattles about.

Styrene safety glazing is always a consideration, specially if the picture frame will be in a childs room, or a public area.

You should be supplied with all the fittings to hang your picture, as well as instructons on its care.

A mount, or window mount (in the US this is called a mat) helps protect the artwork, picture or photo, and spaces it away from the glazing in the picture frame.

It is also important that the framed picture is hung properly, not over a radiator for example (or any place with excess heat), not in bright direct sunlight (UV glass is available to combat 98 to 99 percent of the damaging ultraviolet light if required).

CFL lamps (energy savers) can also damage your artwork. because they have high levels of UV unless you have special lamps with UV filters. Another case where you might want to consider extra UV protection is for older or valuable items, particularly paper art, ephemera, fabric art, cross stitch orother framed items that cannot be replaced.

Acrylic picture glazing (styrene) gives around 50 percent UV protection in its standard form.

Normally the framed picture is hung on one hook (although most framers will recommend you hang your picture on two hooks) There is a rocket-scientist explanation of why this is on Moonshine's web-site and the picture framers knowledge base, so dont go thinking they are just trying to sell you more picture hooks then you need.

Look for a picture framer who is a member of the LIFEsm (the Local Independent Framing Expert system mark), these exist in the UK and the US. Check that your online framer has a good reputation (feedback or genuine customer testimonials are a help) and states clearly the framing standards they use.

If ordering online make sure you remember that a"working day" is usually monday to friday and does not include weekends or public holidays. Look out for a framer who also offers to help if you have a specific delivery deadline,.

Framers like Moonshine can supply you with custom size frames in a range of materials., even metal. Oak, Beech and Ash are often difficult for inexperienced framers to work with, but expert framers will be able to offer you these timbers which give your frames that certain extra something. This company also has a range of specially produced "driftwood" style picture frames, designer frames, and they also supply TV companies, artists, corporate customers, schools, colleges etc. A good reputation counts.