Acid-free--A term used to describe adhesives,
papers, matboards and other framing supplies that have no acid
in them. Acid-free materials should be used when framing works
of art on paper. Matboards, mounting boards, tapes, envelopes
and other framing materials all are available in acid-free varieties.
Some have been chemically treated to remove impurities; others,
such as those made of 100 percent pure cotton rag, never contained
acid and are generally the best choice for framing fine art.
Bevel--Generally refers to the 45-degree
angle on the window opening of a matboard that has been cut
with a mat cutter. When such a cut is made, the core of the
matboard is exposed. A standard bevel, which leaves the core
of the matboard showing around the window opening in front,
is cut from the back of the matboard. Unless otherwise specified,
it is this cut that framers generally mean when they refer to
the bevel.
If a mat is cut with a reverse bevel, the 45-degree
angle cut slants away from the surface of the matboard so the
matboard core is not seen from the front. A reverse bevel often
is used when a visible bevel would be a distracting element
in the design. A reverse bevel is usually cut from the front;
however, if the mat cutter head is reversed, this bevel also
can be cut from the back.
A straight cut refers to a window opening cut
straight up and down on a 90-degree angle so that no slanted
bevel results.
Conservation
framing--Using materials and techniques in the framing process
to ensure artwork is not damaged by framing. Hinging the artwork
instead of mounting it, using high-quality acid-free boards
and mats, and glazing with conservation glass or acrylic are
generally accepted procedures used to help preserve artwork.
The same procedures are sometimes referred to as "preservation
framing."
Dry mount, dry mounting--The process of
using dry adhesive to mount paper artwork or photographs to
a board, using high heat and a dry mount press. This is a permanent
process that is commonly used on rolled posters.
Dust cover--A protective paper sheet (usually
kraft paper) attached to the back of the frame to protect the
contents from dirt. The dust cover often is attached with ATG
tape laid along the frame edges; a variety of glues also may
be used to attach the dust cover.
Foam-core board--A lightweight, plastic-centered
board sold in large sheets. Foam-core board is used as a mounting
board, as a backing board, and as a spacer in deep frames or
shadow boxes. Foam-core board also is used in routine mounting
of needlework and paper art.
Fillet-- A very thin moulding used as
an accent in framing inside another moulding or liner. It is
sometimes used under the glazing at the edge of the mat window
opening.
Fitting--The process of putting together
the pieces of the framing package: the joined moulding, glass,
mounted artwork, matting, backing board, dust cover and hardware.
Fitting includes cleaning the glass and checking the entire
job for flaws before closing the frame.
Joining--The process of putting together
mitered sticks of moulding to make the frame. Joining requires
applying glue to each corner, carefully placing the segments
in the vise or joining machine, and then attaching the corners.
If placed in a vise, the corners can be nailed by hand. If placed
in a power joiner such as an underpinner, the segments will
be held together by staples or wedges inserted by the machine
from underneath. The nails are important because they hold the
corner together firmly until the glue dries. However, glue is
most important to provide a strong joint that will not separate
easily.
Liner--A moulding, usually fabric-covered,
used inside the outer moulding in a frame design. A liner is
not completely finished, so it would not be used as the only
moulding for a frame. Liners often are used in place of mats
on framed oil paintings.
Matboard--A paper or rag board used over
artwork to separate it from the glass. Matboard generally is
made up of three layers: the face paper, the core and the backing.
Matboards come in a wide variety of thicknesses (plys), colors,
textures and compositions, and many acid-free matboards are
for conservation framing.
Matboards can be carved, cut or painted to add
decorative elements to the frame design. Various colors and
textures can be stacked, spliced and combined in numerous ways.
Matboard usually has a whitish material in the
center so that a white line (bevel) shows when it is cut. However,
some matboards also have black or colored cores, resulting in
a colored bevel when they are cut. Cores may be the same color
as the face paper or a contrasting color. Colored-core matboard
expands the design possibilities for framers.
Moulding--The material used to build a
frame. Mouldings can be wood, metal, plastic or laminate.
Nonglare glass--A glazing, usually etched
on one or both sides, that eliminates reflections and glare
from room lights.
Poster--This art medium comes from the
ancient practice of "posting" messages in public places.
Used for advertising or other communication needs, posters were
designed to communicate quickly and graphically. Posters are
still used for that purpose today--movies, concerts, plays and
other public events all are promoted with posters.
However, posters also are produced strictly as
decorative art, usually inexpensively on inexpensive paper.
Posters are almost always photomechanical reproductions; there
is always graphic type on a poster, which is the primary difference
between these and open edition reproductions.
Vintage posters--those printed 50 to 100
years ago are highly collectable and have investment value.
These often are very large and very graphic, with subject matter
ranging from entertainment events to advertisements for products
such as tobacco, wine and household items. Many early poster
artists have become very famous.
Profile--The shape or design of the moulding, including
all carved or grooved elements
Rabbet--The groove under the lip of the moulding that
allows space for the mat, glass, art and mounting board.
Signed and numbered--At the bottom of
each print in an edition, the artist pencils in his signature
and numbers the print. The numbering appears as one number over
another, for example, 15/30. This indicates that this was the
15th print to be signed and that there were 30 prints in all.
Stretcher--A support frame made of wood
onto which the canvas of oil paintings or needleart can be mounted.
V-groove--The process of cutting two close,
facing bevels into matboard so they form a "V" when
the board is taped back together.
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