Grandma’s Vintage Print Gets a Refresh

While on a trip home to Minnesota, I found a vintage print that belonged to my grandmother! As a framer, I knew it needed some conservation work and a fresh presentation. So, I took it back to my Seattle shop for the full treatment:

A vintage print handed down within the family has unknown origin, but remains sentimental.

Both the matting and the frame had seen better days.

The original black floral frame had myriad scratches and dings, which stuck out against the dark background. The grey mat was warping right out of the frame due to moisture, adding to the dingy look.

The backside of the frame, complete with paint splatter from some unknown past project.

The first order of business was to take everything apart to see what could be salvaged (if anything), and to take stock of any unexpected findings.

In addition to the normal fitting nails we often see, I found this interesting makeshift solution.

I found one of my grandma’s sewing pins was helping hold in the backboard! Old pieces like this can have hidden discoveries waiting inside…

This was the back side of the backboard!

…Like this! When I flipped over the backboard I realized it was a repurposed poster from a Wisconsin county fair! I hate that the year was cut off but suspected the ad is from the late 1950’s or early 1960’s.

Remnants of old tape cling to the edges of the vintage print.

I removed the artwork from the old frame and then began carefully dislodging the tape from around the edges. Luckily, most of the tape was old enough that the adhesive had dried out and flaked off easily.

I removed everything I could, leaving only small amounts of tape remnants in a few places.

Here we see the print by itself, with the matting and tape fully removed. Notice the lighter band that runs through the middle of the art - this was caused by a slit in a nearby window causing light to hit the artwork in just that specific spot. The bleaching of the paper unfortunately cannot be reversed; but it is a good reminder about the importance of UV-protective glazing and not hanging art in direct sunlight.

Clear corners are used for securing the print to the new backboard. This solution is 100% reversible and avoids adding any new tape or adhesive. They are hidden under the new mat for a seamless look.

You can also clearly see the foxing line around where the old mat was. Foxing lines are caused by acid present in the surrounding mats. This highlights the importance of using acid-free materials, especially anything that will come into contact with your artwork.

A new mat on the vintage print hides some of the damage.

All cleaned up and ready for the trip back home: acrylic can safely be shipped through the mail if packaged correctly.

And here is the final product! A new black frame was selected that had a similar, subtle floral scroll pattern. The new off-white mat brightens up the composition and hugs the old foxing line, maximizing the image.

This sweet and sentimental piece was finished off with Optium Museum Acrylic, providing ongoing 99% UV protection as well as a no-glass look for optimal viewing pleasure. Lastly, the shatter-proof acrylic makes the trip back home even safer. Grandma would be very proud!

Beware: Proper Hanging Hardware

There is more to fine art picture framing than just aesthetics, proportions, and color theory; we are engineers who need to consider how to combat one of art’s great enemies: gravity. A beautifully made frame with matching mat and fillet are not very useful if they end in a pile of glass on the floor.

Here is a great example: A client used the wrong hanging orientation on their artwork, damaging the hanging hardware and risking an accident. The D-Ring hangers were originally mounted vertically for two hooks or for hanging on a picture rail. The later addition of a wire pulled the D-rings towards the center, twisting the metal almost apart. Yikes!

Do you have a question about the best way to hang a heavy piece of art or a mirror? Bring in your piece for a consultation, or send some photos to info@baasframingstudio.com and we’ll be happy to help!

Standard Wire orientation is a must for most framing projects: the gentle angle of the D-ring mimics the direction of the wire while it is hanging on the wall, thus relieving tension in the hook itself. For picture rail hanging systems, the wires must be directed straight up to attach to the picture rail itself.

Here you can see the difference: the D-Ring on the left is normal. The D-Ring on the right was not hung with proper wire orientation and the pressure has pulled the D-Ring out of shape. This can be dangerous if the hook fails all together.

Moral of the Story: when in doubt give us a call or email! We are more than happy to discuss the best options for safely hanging your art. We guarantee all our frames will have the proper hanging hardware and wire orientation. No bent hooks here!

MORE Best of 2023

So many unique framing projects in 2023, we couldn’t stop at just 6! Enjoy an encore of framing masterpieces!

We created a protective clear acrylic box for this antique ceramic statue from China. A linen base and hidden mounting pin complete the elegant and secure presentation for a precious object. Definitely one of our favorite pieces of the year!

Gilded gold frame and velvet liner on an engraved book plate from Davidson Galleries. (Browse their incredible collection to find more gems like this!) Museum Glass and a delicate filet were added to refurbish this vintage presentation.

A leather printing plate in the shape of a dragon was a memento of a client's travels in Indonesia. The heavy leather was sewn to a linen backboard and we used a deep, textured wood frame to create dimension and Museum Glass for crystal clarity.

This wild and wonderful Frank Kozik print in an acid yellow mat and lipstick red "Gaudi" frame from Roma Moulding was a winner! Nothing subtle about it, which is perfectly psychedelic.

We worked with a new client to frame an autographed copy of To Kill A Mockingbird and a facsimile of the title page. A custom Conservation Plexiglas box holds the book securely without tape or glue. Flax linen and a walnut frame complete the look.

Created for the popular Magic: The Gathering card game, this illustration is all about duality and opposing forces. We extended the concept into the framing with a spliced mat and two-tone iridescent metal frame...Magical! Artwork by Kaja Foglio.

Framing Textiles, Jerseys and Fabric Art

Presenting textiles, fabric art pieces and items of clothing is a specialty of ours. Each project is unique and requires thoughtful decisions about how to best attach the fabric item to a backing (usually a mat board or fabric-covered panel). Sports jerseys might be folded to best display the logos and numbers while minimizing overall size. Heavy items such as woven rugs and heavy embroideries may be sewn or pinned for extra support. Our framers have years of experience in selecting the appropriate method for your piece, and will share details with you during the design session.

Traditional textile from Eastern Europe with fringes in a poplar frame with grey finish. Conservation or Museum glass protects vintage pieces from light damage.

Once the textile is attached, it can be presented in a frame with our without glass. Often glass is recommended because dust and light can damage fabrics over time. Signed jerseys are particularly vulnerable to light damage. If the piece is large, UV Plexiglas is a great choice to reduce weight and provide protection. Custom plexi boxes with clear sides are another option for special pieces where a frame is not desired, or the item can’t fit into a frame.

Basketball jersey with double matting and inset photo. Team colors added a nice design touch.

Military dress jacket in silver leaf shadowbox frame. A true family heirloom, protected by Museum Glass.

Why Use Conservation or Museum Glass?

As framer’s, we see the effects of UV light on artwork, color photographs and textiles every day. Unfortunately, once the damage is done, there is no way to reverse fading caused by light. The best way to protect your treasures is by selecting Conservation or Museum Glass when designing framing. If the piece is already framed, but you suspect it may be fading, we can help you to determine the best course of action and replace the glazing if needed. Just bring it in for a consultation!

Fabric items like this Tibetan cap are highly vulnerable to fading caused by UV light. The deep blue fabric mat can likewise fade over time. We selected Museum Glass for maximum protection and minimum glare.

One question we are frequently asked is: what is the difference between Conservation and Museum Glass? Conservation Glass filters out 99% of the harmful UV rays that cause light damage and looks like regular glass: clear and shiny. Museum Glass also filters out 99% of UV light, but has the added feature of being clear and virtually non-reflective because of a special coating. It allows artwork, objects or textiles to be viewed at every angle with very little glare interference. Both products are also available in acrylic options, with the Optimum Museum Acrylic being the highest quality glazing on the market.

If you own art, photos or prints of high value or personal significance, we’re happy to consult with you to make sure you have protected them properly!