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: 5/3/2007 Subject: inexpensive yet durable frames.
Question I have an art exhibit coming up and I am on a limited budget. First of all what kinds of frames do you recommend that I buy?
The actual art work is on 18x24 inches. If I mat it, what would be the dimensions be then? Also,what would be the dimensions of the frame?
Answer Rose,
Based on my experience many artists use metal frames to display their artwork for exhibitions. They are generally less expensive and very durable. I recommend using a 15 profile Nielsen metal frame. They are inexpensive and they will give your artwork a very professional look. There are a couple of other companies that make metal moulding and any of them would be fine, I am just more familiar with Nielsen mouldings. Most any frameshop will know what you are talking about if you tell them you want to look at a 15 profile Nielsen metal moulding. Here is another thought; metal frames are vary easy to put together yourself. So it is possible to purchase all your supplies from a frameshop and assemble them saving the labor charge. Most frameshops should be willing to show you how to assemble the frames. One hint if they aren't then that is probably not a shop worth doing business with. From your question it sounds like you have some fairly large pieces of artwork. Which brings me to another advantage of metal frames, because of their strength they allow you to use a much narrower frame. For example if you have an 18" x 24" piece I would use a mat no smaller than three inches. That will make your frame size 24" x 30". If you were to use a wood frame you would need at least a two inch wide moulding to support the weight of the glass; however with a metal moulding you could use a 1/2" wide moulding. Just to give you more than one option readymade wood frames are less expensive than custom made wood frames. These frames are sometimes referred to as open back frames. Ask about them when you visit the shop you choose. It is worth checking into. Rose, thank you for your question. If you need any clarification or have any more questions just let me know. I wish you the best on your exhibit. I hope it goes very well for you.
