Art Care

Removing and Inspecting Your Print

Care of your art print should begin when you remove it from the cylinder in which it is shipped. Remember, you are handling a paper product, and mishandling can lead to ugly dents or creases.
Remove your rolled print from the shipping tube, place it on a flat surface and gently unroll it. Placing a hand on the bottom surface and one hand or a flat heavy object, such as a book, one on the surface of the top portion of the print, and another on the surface of the bottom portion will allow it to stay flat so you can view and inspect it. (It may not remain flat, but left alone, it will gradually flatten).
Always handle prints with clean and dry hands.
To lift a print, hold the top corners, each with one hand and allow the print to dangle. Never hold along the sides.

Storing Your Print

If possible, lay your unframed print flat and store in a dry place away from sunlight.
When re-rolling your print to store or take it to the framer, roll gently and smoothly and avoid applying any pressure or rolling too tightly as these may result in dents.
Unframed prints may remain stored in the shipping tubes for a few weeks or longer. It is easier to flatten out a curled print than to eliminate dents and creases.
If you are storing valuable original prints, it is best to store them between sheets of acid-free foam core or mat boards.
Prints may also be stored in clear plastic sleeves.

Framing Your Art Print

ALL ABOUT FRAMING AND HANGING

You may decide on custom framing for your print or you may elect to do your own framing. Unless you have some framing skills, custom framing is generally a better option than buying a frame and doing it yourself.

An experienced framer will be able to offer a wide range of frame choices and framing options and will be able to guide you in combining the right elements. A professionally framed print will generally look better and last longer.

• Some tips on beating the high cost of custom framing
• Try do-it-yourself framing if the print you purchased is inexpensive, already matted, and is a standard size. You can buy standard size frames in art supply and home decor stores. Popular custom sizes are: 11x14, 16x20, 18x24, 24x30 and 24x36.
• A discount or wholesale framer will offer the best framing deals.
  Try one of the framing franchises in the mall or a ""Garden Ridge"" store when they have a sale on custom framing.
• Take more than one print to your framer when you go and negotiate a quantity discount.

FRAMING YOUR OPEN EDITION PRINT

Choosing a Frame
In choosing the framing for any work there are some important principles to bear in mind.

The type of framing selected for a work should be compatible with, and dependent upon, the work itself, not with the surrounding decoration of a room. If the artwork goes well in a room and the frame goes well with the artwork, then the frame will go well with the room.
The frame should never be more important than the picture it surrounds. When you look at a framed picture, the art should attract your attention before the frame does. Remember, the art is the star of the show. The frame should complement the subject matter, tonal value and size of the picture.

Consider these points when selecting framing for your art:
Consider first the color scheme of the art. Frame colors don't necessarily have to match color in the art the way we expect mats to match, but they should blend with the overall coloration of the art. Determine if the art has more warm or cool colors. For example, a picture that is predominantly light blue and lavender may look great with a silver frame. A picture of an orange and yellow sunset, however, lends itself more to gold.
If the art is bold, a bold frame color generally is best. These bold colors include the primary hues as well as bright gold, lustrous black and rich wood tones.
Art with strongly contrasting colors - like red, white, black and yellow - can handle a frame that contrasts with the art. However, when the artwork colors are subtle - white, cream and peach colors, for example, - an 'unsubtle' frame choice can be distracting. Likewise, if art has a muted color scheme, the frame finish should be muted, too. Muted frame finishes include pastels, gray shades and pale gold. If the colors in the art are subtle, a bold frame color would command attention and detract from the softness of the art. Frame mouldings in gold, silver and wood tones often are seen as neutrals and can go with almost anything.

Consider next the style, subject, and era of the art.
Choose frame colors and style that best suit what the art is.
For example, a classically rendered biblical painting suggests a ""period"" frame or a slightly ornate frame, probably gold or silver (depending on the dominant color scheme of the painting), but definitely not a colorful frame.
A print of folk or country art may suggest a wood frame with a rustic or distressed finish.
A print of a clown will lend itself to a more colorful presentation.
A contemporary print or abstract art or photography may require a simply treated, plain wood frame.

Study the art to determine the most appropriate finish.

Another consideration in selecting your frame is the choice of the mat.
A frame color may look great if the frame is all that surrounds the art, but it may become a poor choice when it's combined with the mat you've selected. Pay attention to the overall design to ensure a cohesive presentation that transitions well from the art outward.

As you select your frame moulding, keep in mind the appropriateness of the moulding scale. By scale we mean the width and depth of the moulding profile. A moulding that is too narrow can make the frame look skimpy, while a frame that is too wide can overwhelm the art it surrounds. Most of us are accostumed to using wide frames for large pictures. We also might use wide frames for small pieces that have bold colors, shapes or textures. Try to maintain a sense of balance between the print and the frame width.

Although we always hammer the point that art should be framed primarily to enhance itself and not to match the decor of the room in which it will be displayed, we cannot ignore that framed art is also an accent that can bring a room to life. While your framing should not necessarily blend in with everything else in the room, you should tie it in to the overall effect the decor evokes.

Selecting the right frame for your print is only the first step. Now we get technical and look at the other steps involved.

Matting
Matting is recommended in framing most prints. Technically speaking a mat ia a protective housing for works of art on paper. It comprises of a multi-ply paper board that overlays the artwork with a window cut out of it that allows the art to be seen. The primary function of a mat is a practical one. It protects the print by separating the print from the glass. If there is condensation, the print might stick to the inside of the glass if they are touching. But a mat has a decorative quality too, adding dimension, color, texture and shape that greatly enhances the artwork. Indeed, matting has become an art in itself.

Choose matting that complement the picture. The rule of thumb is to choose a mat color that picks up on
the a color in the art. Sometimes it is best to avoid picking up on the dominant color since the preponderance of that color may overwhelm.
A single mat may suffice in most cases, but adding a second mat (double matting) can add depth to the framing and allow the addition of a second color.
For artwork where the background is white, try a dark colored mat. For a print with dark tones, try lightening it up with a light mat. Experiment!

Mounting
Dry mounting or any other form of permanent bonding is recommended for prints that do not require matting, such as posters or for prints on thin flimsy paper. Dry mounting or permanent mounting will prevent buckling or warping of your framed print over time. The print will hold its form permanently.
Note: Original prints or limited edition prints should never be permanently mounted as they will lose some of their value.

Fitting and Backing
A custom frame is a neatly sealed ""package"". It has been designed so that every part fits perfectly, so that nothing is loose. Fitting involves cleaning the glass to perfection, without dust or foggy areas. It involves securing materials behind the artwork so that it doesn't rattle within the frame. It involves placing a protective ""dust cover"" on the back. To do this correctly may take considerable time. Fitting is a very important - although hidden - part of custom framing.

Now that you've taken home your beautifully framed print, the final word is about hanging and caring for your framed art.

Hanging Art
Use frame hangers to hang your framed print. They will do the least damage to your wall and they are designed to safely hold up framed art. Be sure that the hanger will bear the weight of the particular framed print.
If the frame to be hanged is large and heavy, use two hangers spaced about 6"" apart and distribute the weight evenly.
Avoid hanging artwork too high or too low. Art should be placed at a level where it is comfortable to see.

FRAMING AND HANGING LIMITED EDITION AND ORIGINAL PRINTS

Professional conservation framing is recommended for all limited edition and original prints (as well as for any other valuable paper items that you wish to preserve, such as certificates, letters etc.)
Conservation framing is a specialized type of framing which utilizes the highest grades of materials and forms of non-permanent mounting that preserve and will not alter the original properties of the artwork.
When paper comes in contact with regular matboards and backing, it will, in time, become stained with the acids present in the board. A professional framer will cut a mat from acid-free matboard. Your framer will also make hinges with acid-free material so that the artwork ""floats free"" on top of an acid-free backing. The matting and mounting are the two most important elements in conservation framing but there are others that make up the total ""conservation package"".
It is costly but it brings a special blend of craftsmanship, skill and patience which will bring out the best in your artwork and you will have the reassurance of having the finest quality conservation material to protect your 'investment'.

There are special considerations when framing limited edition or original work. The objective should be to preserve the artwork in its original condition.>br>

1. Always handle prints with clean hands as natural body oils can do permanent damage to fine art paper

2. Always use two hands to lift paper so the edges do not get crimped or dented.

3. Never touch or drag anything across the image. A thumb print or scratch will leave a permanent mark that can't be repaired.

4. If you are storing your print unframed for a long period of time, store it between acid-free papers and in some type of folder.

5. Do not store print near heat or next to a radiator. Keep it in a dry, clean environment.

6. Never cut the margins of the print or fold the edges of the paper.

7. Do not permanently mount the print. Acid-free hinges should be used to secure the print against acid-free backing material.

8. Glass or another form of transparent sheeting should be used to protect the face of the artwork from dust, moisture and insects. The artwork should not touch the surface of the glass, however, since moisture condensation inside could stain the artwork or cause mold growth. Separate the artwork from glass by an acid-free mat or some other form of separation.

9. A dust cover attached to the back of the frame is necessary to protect the print from polution and insects and to keep it clean. Kraft paper provides a suitable dust cover.

10. Avoid hanging your valuable print in direct sunshine or over a radiator or frequently used fireplace.

11. Finally, a good idea may be to check your framed print every five years or so. Inspect for light damage, mold growth, insects, loose hinges etc. "

Decorating Tips

More and more of us are integrating art into our home decor.
Some of us opt for a particular decor style, say, an African inspired interior in which we may combine objects, fabrics and artwork that reflect the culture. Or, a contemporary decor style may be your preference, and your art choices may tend more toward abstract forms, photographic art and poster art. Others of us may favor a more traditional look that features artwork that is more timeless and classical in theme and style.

While certain works of art coordinate with particular decorating styles, and while some themes work well in specific rooms, there are no hard and fast rules. As home decor becomes increasingly flexible, so are your options for placing art - you can put anything you want in any room of the house. Just make it work for you.

Although there are no set rules about decorating with art, there are some basic considerations, regardless of the style or mood of the decor, that will help you to achieve a more organic feel and look.

Room Design Tips

Be Conscious of Scale.
Make sure the picture you're hanging is to scale with the wall it is hanging on. A large framed work that may be appropriate for a high ceilinged town house could look out of place in a tiny apartment. Conversely, on a large wall, a small picture or a group of small pictures could look insignificant.
A picture should also relate in scale with the furniture it is hanging over. The rule of thumb is that it should be at least half the width of the furniture. If the piece is not large enough, consider surrounding it with supporting pieces.
Certain parts of the home are traditionally sites for large works of art - for example, the wall above the sofa. Again, if you can't find that large piece to fit the bill, consider a grouping of two or more pieces.

Height is a Crucial Issue.
Whenever a picture is to be hung alone, the focus should generally be at eye level. But, of course, eye level is not a constant. It is ralative to where you are either standing or sitting. In a sitting room, pictures should be hung a little lower than, say, in a hallway where you are primarily standing.
Hang pictures no more than 12 to 16 inches above a piece of furniture.

Hanging on a Stairway Wall.
To climb a staircase can be a positive pleasure if the walls are lined with interesting pictures. Consider hanging them in parallel rising lines so that on each rise of the stair, the eye falls naturally on another picture. Make sure the most striking ones are not wasted: hang them at the top and bottom of the staircase.

Hallways.
Larger pieces may not work well in narrow hallways because you don't have the right viewing distance from which to enjoy them. Try smaller pieces. Small pencil or charcoal sketches, mini-prints, photographs, or small etchings will work well here because they demand a shorter viewing distance.

Mantlepiece.
The wall above a fireplace is a traditional location for displaying art. The fireplace is such an emphatic place that it always attracts notice, and anything displayed above it is assured of immediate attention. Often just one large picture is displayed centrally above a fireplace. The picture or pictures hung above the mantlepiece do not have to fill the space completely but they do have to balance the bulk below the mantlepiece.

Unusual Places.
When considering where to hang pictures, do not rule out the less traditional locations in the house. Even the bathroom can provide a suitable space for decorating with art. Kitchens, archways, above doors are some of the unexpected places where art may be placed.