J & S Picture Frame Warehouse- Saskatoon Framers simply offers the best selection of materials to preserve your treasures, keepsakes and works of art in Saskatoon . Quality is paramount at J & S - all work is completed with superb craftsmanship, expert advice and friendly service. Nationally acclaimed local artists trust J & S with their original artworks...why trust your memories to anyone else? J & S Are your Trusted SASKATOON FRAMING EXPERTS
Here they share their first Trusted Tip
Why use matting in custom framing?
What is matting?
The mat or matting is the border you often see around a picture underneath the glass. In gallery settings, white mats are often used in framing in galleries, but in framing that you might see in someone's home, the matting is often coloured or textured to compliment the image. Matting is not solely used for aesthetic reasons in picture framing, it also has a practical and important function. Mats help to keep the artwork "healthy". It lifts the glass off the artwork. This allows the artwork to "breathe" as we say, and helps prevent any buildup of condensation that may lead to the development of mold or mildew.
Having the glass lifted away slightly also prevents the glass from adhering to the artwork. This is especially important with items such as photographs. The surface of photographs contains a gelatin like substance. Over time and with fluctuations in temperature and humidity, this gelatin surface begins to soften and becomes glued to the glass. Often these photos are one of a kind and are difficult to replace and costly to restore. Paintings (oils, acrylic, spray paint art, etc.)should never have glass sitting directly on them as a similar problem is likely to result; the glass will damage the surface of the painting and the glass will stick to the artwork. Works such as pastels and charcoal drawings should also have a mat as the dust from these mediums will continue to shed.
Needleworks will give off-gas, and a haze of the image will appear on the glass. It is also important for these carefully crafted items to breathe to prevent the wools and threads from rotting, allowing them to be treasured by the next generation.
In this instance - pictured below , Letraset transfers were used on the name on this certificate. This item was framed by another company (without matting) about 15 to 17 years ago. When the glass was removed to reframe it, part of the name lifted off the certificate, ruining this official document.
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You can find them on the Saskatoon Directory in the Trusted Photographers and Framing Category - they are your Trusted Saskatoon Framers!