facts standards + matting

D_Derbonne

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Jul 12, 2001
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Middleburg, FL
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semi retired
I'm giving a quote on framing some World War II era documents and need to find text to support the use of double mats.
I know that is the correct way to do this but need text to support it.
I tried the FACTS website but it isn't easy to find specific info on there.

I am trying to include some educational info on framing for these guys to present to the board of directors (local Shrine Club) since another framer has questioned the need for double mats.


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Actually, if I recall correctly, the standard says a minimum of 4-ply from the glazing?

How big are they? A large area would need a larger gap so the "bend" would not casue the glazing to touch.
 
Deb i am sure Ron,Jim or Nona will answer the FACTS questions and weather they say it is REQUIRED ?NEEDED or not. However the more precautions you taake to preserv an item IMO the better the framing is. From everything I have ever learned ,remembered or was taugt the further you move a item away from the glazeing the better ,until ypu get to a point that it is fuzzy looking which shouldn't happen with the proper C/P glazeing.

So Two mats are definetly better preservation then one but you could concievably get AWAY with just one.
BUDDY
 
Standard Guide for Maximum Preservation Framing (FACTS)

10.00 Spacing

10.01 All artwork shall be separated from the glazing by window mat(s) and/or spacer(s). This separation shall allow for normal expansion or bowing of the artwork. The minimum space shall be one 4- ply matboard (0.045 inch; 2 mm).

10.02 All artwork shall be a minimum of 1" (25 mm) away from wood surfaces, including wood frames, fillets and liners.

10.02.1 An exception to 10.02 shall be for artwork on stretched canvas, such as oil paintings.

10.03 Exceptions to 10.02 shall be for : (a) wood frames when the entire rabbet area is lined with an impermeable barrier such as glass or metal; and (b) strainers/stretcher bars completely covered in the same manner.

http://www.artfacts.org/standards/frm_2000.html
 
Thanks, Cliff. I dug out some books and it looks like 2 mats are needed for larger pieces.
Guess I'm confused...again.

I will just quote from the books I have from PPFA.

By the way, one of the books states that for simplicity and versatility a straight edge and a sharp knife are the best tools for cutting a mat.

No new fangled equipment is needed!
 
Thanks Dermot, you must have posted while I was posting.

Welcome back!
 
The MCPF program offered by PPFA is the latest, most specific standard on this. A minimum of 1/8" air gap is specified for the MCPF.

The FACTS standard is given as a minimum, which may be assumed to be for a small frame with flat contents. If the FACTS standards are ever rewritten, I imagine the 4-ply minimum might be expanded to give recommendations for larger frames. A 24" x 36" watercolor on paper could easily cockle more than 1/16" with humidity changes, and 1/4" may be recommended.

Also, friable media such as pastel and charcoal require more than one 4-ply thickness. For these artworks, I begin with 1/2" spacing for small items, and make more gap for larger frames.
 
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