About Mark Beach Expertise I can answer any questions about custom picture framing or any one of custom picture framing components, i.e. matting, glass, mounting and wood or metal frames. I can answer questions about proper framing techniques to preserve artwork. I can not answer questions about restoring artwork or the value of artwork.
Experience I have over eleven years experience in custom picture framing and nine years experience managing a frame shop. I have worked in every retail area of custom picture framing.
Education/Credentials I've trained under 3 indiviuals that have more than fifty years of combined expierence. I have attended several PPFA (Profestional Picture Framers Association) certified workshops.
Expert: Mark Beach Date: 5/4/2007 Subject: Preserving a page from a magazine
Question Hello,
I purchased a "collectable" advertisement page that originated from a
pop music magazine. I would like to frame it and want to do something
to keep it from yellowing. It was suggested to me to put it in a
special bag, but that would not display well. Other things I have
considered are laminating or spaying it with something clear. When I
suggested laminating I was told it would devalue the item. It's not
something that I am going to ever sell, I just want to preserve it, and
display it. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer Patrick,
In my opinion the best way to preserve your magazine page is by framing it with conservation materials. There is no magical spray to keep it from yellowing over time. The fact that it is printed on paper that is highly acidic will cause the paper it's self to break down. There are a couple of things you can do to slow down the process. When you frame your collectable make sure you mat it and that the mat is a museum grade matboard. All matboard that meets the requirements for museum grade will have a seal of some kind on the back of the matboard corner sample. Matting the artwork keeps the glass directly off the artwork, which is very important. Next use Conservation glass. Conservation glass blocks 97-98% of UV rays. Light of any kind is artwork's worst enemy. Insure your framer uses foamcore backing and not cardboard or any other backing that may be acidic. Custom framing with conservation materials will make your artwork look great as well as protect it and slow down the aging process. I will mention there is something that's called deacidification spray. It is expensive and the person that does the spraying needs to know what they are doing. It is not something you want to do yourself. I am not so sure the spray is really worth it. I think the jury is still out on the lasting affects of it, but you might mention it to the frameshop you take it too. Take your artwork to a reputable frameshop. Stay away from the big box stores that does framing as well as many other things. They are not experts when it comes to the preservation of artwork. I hope I have been of some help. If you need any clarification or have anymore questions please let me know.
