Frequently Asked Questions

Custom framing involves more than merely inserting a print into a picture frame off the shelf. Custom framing involves the selection of mats, frames, and the proper arrangement of any objects you wish to frame. It also incorporates the proper glass and backing to protect the artwork. A significant advantage to custom framing is it affords the customer the ability to participate in a unique framing design for photos, keepsakes, momentos, certificates, and personal items to suit the client's personal tastes and decor. A significant advantage to custom framing with us is the conservation techniques we use to prolong the life of your artwork and keepsakes.

Do you send your work off or is the framing done on the premises?

Our framing is preformed in house. Each project is assigned a work order number, which allows us track the progress of the job and maintain the art or the objects on site. For more information on our custom framing, please click on the link to our framing services: FRAMING

Are there special circumstances that require artwork to leave your shop?

Rarely, but we will discuss it with you first. A few examples would include art cleaning and restoration, or reproduction.

How can I keep a picture from fading?

The best way to keep art from fading is to avoid exposing it to "any" form of light. However, people purchase and frame art for the express purpose of displaying it. Thus, it would be impossible to enjoy artwork if it is locked away in a dark closet, hidden from light.

So what do we do?

Avoid exposing art to the harmful effects of light. The most important way to protect artwork is to avoid direct or reflected sunlight from a window or a door and from indoor lights. Direct sunlight will fade colors in a very short period of time, causing permanent and irreversible damage. Direct sunlight will fade newsprint in hours. In addition, direct sunlight will deteriorate the paper any artwork is printed on. Another source of damage originates with UV light. Most people have no idea of how damaging the effects UV light can be. UV (Ultraviolet) light is a spectrum of light we cannot see. One source of UV light is in sunlight, either direct or reflected. Another source, one many people never think about, is in fluorescent lights. Exposure to fluorescent light can fade printed art in a matter of only a few years. Our approach to minimizing the effects of UV light damage consists of using glass or special acrylic glazing designed to eliminate up to 98 percent of harmful UV rays. Since it is impossible to screen out 100 percent of the harmful UV light, the best way to prevent your artwork from fading is to avoid exposure to sunlight and use a glass or acrylic that offers a significant degree of UV protection. For more information on the options available to you for dealing with faded prints and mats, please click on the link to our re-framing section: RE-FRAMING, GLASS REPLACEMENT, & MAT REPLACEMENT.

Can you clean old paintings and art?

Yes, we can clean old paintings and art. There are various degrees to which art can either be restored or cleaned depending upon the nature of the damage. Clouded varnish, dirt, and smoke are the usual culprits that cause paintings to become dirty. Restoring paintings by cleaning is the logical step most owners would seek to do themselves. However, wiping paintings with rags, blasting them with compressed air, or using a liquid solvent will damage your artwork. Therefore, we discourage our clients from cleaning their own artwork. In fact, cleaning artwork is not something we will attempt to do ourselves. It takes many years of experience to safely clean original artwork, we trust the professionals we employ to do our cleaning and restoration. The art conservators and artists who do our cleaning and restoration work of original artwork have countless years of experience. For more information, please click on our links to art cleaning & art restoration: ART CLEANING & ART RESTORATION

Why is custom framing so expensive?

Custom framing is not as expensive as most people think. It involves using only the highest quality materials the industry has to offer in order to insure your artwork lasts for many years. Frame, mats, and glass purchased from local discount or department stores do not offer the highest quality materials necessary to preserve your art for years. Your beautiful fine art, needlework, keepsakes, wedding invitations, or hard-earned degrees and certificates should be framed in a manner that does them justice, and in a manner that prevents their deterioration over time. Your custom framed artwork is a permanent investment in the décor of your home or business, which will outlast many of your other accessories.

Custom framing requires the expert skills of trained individuals to design and complete a project that not only protects your artwork, but enhances its appeal, once it is hung on the wall for your enjoyment. Each piece of framed art is a one-of-a-kind creation that you will never see in a department store, discount store, or furniture store. Mat colors, frames, and designs are all selected with the assistance of a trained staff who provide the necessary time to create just the right combination for each piece of art we frame.

When you are ready to prepare your fine art or treasured heirlooms for display, custom framing is the best answer.

What is conservation framing?

As the term "conservation" implies, it involves various steps in the framing process designed to conserve or prolong the life of your artwork. The process must be totally reversible to be considered conservation framing. By reversible, we mean, the artwork or the objects can be "un-framed".

Our conservation framing employs the highest quality products available to slow down the inevitable deterioration of artwork taking place as a result of environmental factors. To overcome these environmental factors, we utilize special techniques and procedures to protect art. Generally speaking, the main components of conservation framing involves mounting the artwork in such a manner that it is protected from the influences of acid, shielded from the influences of UV light, and allowed to have air circulation around it, while protecting it from dust. The elements involved consist of the frame, foamboard, the glazing, mats (if mats are used), if mats are not used, then a spacer, to separate the artwork from the glazing, hinging and backing. The mats, foamboard, hinging, glazing and backing must consist of 100% acid free material that is of conservation quality. The hinging is a specialty product that is acid free and reversible with water. Pressure sensitive adhesives are never used on paper. We avoid these, because with time, the adhesive will migrate into the paper and result in damage to the artwork. Over time, the pressure sensitive tapes can release the art, causing it to fall.

Conservation framing involves a high degree of protection, designed to offer long-term preservation. This method of framing is highly desired for framed art, such as family photos, historic documents, limited edition art, original art, or important memorabilia. There is no denying, that with time everything deteriorates due to environmental exposure. However, conservation framing will slow this process and allow you to enjoy your artwork for many years. To see some of the methods we use for conservation framing, please click on the link to our conservation framing sections: CONSERVATION FRAMING

Can you protect my family heirlooms?

We can protect your heirlooms to a certain extent. First, the protection depends on the materials and the condition of the family heirlooms you want framed. Technically, we slow the deterioration process, but can't reverse any damage which already exists. Our framing process utilizes the best materials the industry has to offer. For example, this would include Conservation UV glass or UV Acrylic, which blocks the fading effects of UV light by 98%. We also utilize all acid-free materials, which include: mats, tapes, and foamboard and backing paper. Often, an overlooked part of protecting the framed heirloom is the acid migration from the wood frame itself. This migration makes it way to the mats, and then to the heirloom. To prevent this migration, we line the inside of the frame with a protective material. Of equal importance in protecting your heirlooms is the manner in which they are handled during the framing process. We handle the items with cotton gloves to prevent the transfer of body oil onto them. We pride ourselves in doing the very highest quality framing. The completed frame must be maintained or displayed in a controlled environment away from direct sunlight, humidity, and intense heat. The proper environment will add many years of longevity to the heirlooms.

Do you sell artwork?

Yes, we have a wide and diverse selection of art for sale. We offer antique art, limited editions, open edition prints, originals oils, antique art, and work by local artists. For more information, please click on the link to section on art for sale: ART FOR SALE

Do you take in items on consignment to sell?

Yes, we offer a number of items by local artists and antique dealers for sale in our shop. If you have something that you wish to sell, please contact us. We will discuss our requirements and the commission structure we offer. For more information, please click on the link to consigned sales: CONSIGNED SALES

Do you frame more than just pictures?

Yes, our shop frames a number of items, ranging from needle art, to coins, to military mementos to jerseys and family keepsakes. For some examples of our completed projects please click on the link to our completed gallery: GALLERY

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.

If you have additional questions, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you.

If you wish to explore our other services and products, we encourage you to browse the links to the left.

cindysframing@coastalnow.net