Framing and display

Works on paper

For art pieces I recomend that works on paper use rag paper (100% acid free) mat board. Many boards say acid free but the cheap ones refer only to the backing paper. Don't be fooled. After a few years the acid from these boards will leave a burn mark on your papers. 100% rag board cost twice as much and often have a pure white core. The cheaper boards often have a brownish core.

I normally have a window mat and a backing mat hinged at the top. The art is hinged to the backing from the top only with japanese mulberry (kozo) paper that is torn to size and adhered with wheat paste.

Behind the backing is a secondary foam core board, also acid free. Again, the good stuff cost about twice as much.

The frames themselves are made from metal or wood. I try not to use the vinyl stuff. Clip on frames are never used because they leave the glazing edges exposed. In the case of glass, you can get cut. For plex, the glazing could bow a bit at larger sizes.

After it is all framed up, there are special tapes made to seal the back of the painting from bugs and dust. Wood frames have it easy because you can use paper tape with a moisture activated adhesive. Metal requires special tapes.

For glazing I use plexi for most types of mated work.

Works on paper made of charcoal or chalk pastel

In lew of a mat, wooden or plastic spacers can be used to make a shadow box. This puts more distance between the glazing (glass or plexi) to prevent the dusty material from jumping from the paper to the glazing via static electricity.

For small pieces, glass is recommended because it has no static charge. For large pieces, plexi is recommended for safety reasons.

Paintings on canvas or panel

No glazing is required because this will allow the piece to breath. A frame of some type is only needed if you are concerned about protecting the edges of the painting or for aesthetics. For some paintings built from light strainers or stretchers, the frame can add some rigidity to the structure.

Often, a paper backing is adhered to the back with water soluble tape. This allows the painting to breath and protects the back from collecting bugs and dust.