Framing Myths

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
May 10, 2005
Posts
298
Loc
Australian Bush
Well I just thought I would start this and see where it takes us. Do you have a pet framing myth which you would like to others to ignore and why they are not so?
eg oils need to breath
my picture needs a thin frame as not to distract from the art.
etc etc etc
I searched the archives, under myths, on this but didn't find anything, but thought it might create some interesting discussions
 
I want this (original piece) DRY MOUNTED in order to "Preserve" it.

Well, the artist picked that (acidic, miscut) mat for this piece so I have to use it.

My drapes are fuschia pink, so I have to use that color in the matting.

shrug.gif
Rick
 
If I come to the end of my life having stomped out, eradicated and rooted out two things I will die happy:

1. Paintings need to breathe, so they shouldn't have a dust cover.

2. Squishing art between two pieces of glass is a viable and attractive framing option.
 
Dave if you check out the 5 yer old TFG thread I already suggested about Glazing oils and if you then go to :

http://www.thegrumble.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005201;p=1

and Follow it by Rebecca's post entitled "How I shocked BUDDY" you may get a fairly nice size list of commonly held framing beliefs that have been shown to be in error by some fairly reputable and Knowlegable people of the industry ( of which my name will not appear on any of the list.LOL). But these list/threads are by no means all inclusive.And some of the best correction may just come from relative unknowns who give very valid reasons for their beliefs ,other than "The Experts Say so".
BUDDy
PS not to be redundant but on the Oil glazing topic try any and all of the following ;

Oils behind Glass 08-20-2005 The Grumble
Decor Tips - oil paintings - Huh? 05-16-2005 The Grumble
Matting a painting on stretcher bars 01-27-2005 The Grumble
GLASS WITH ACRYLIC ON PAPER? 10-25-2004 The Grumble
because the experts said so 07-30-2003 The Grumble
photos on canvas board 02-04-2003 The Grumble
putting glass on oil paintings 12-07-2002 The Grumble
Archival mount for oil on paper 10-15-2002 The Grumble
to liner, or not to liner... 07-23-2001 The Grumble
Glassing needle art 02-08-2001 The Grumble
People that call themselves "Framers" 05-15-2000 The Grumble
 
Thanks Buddy,
I checked out the links from Framing Oils and this is why I started this thread, mainly as a way of getting people thinking, and talking. Its always good to have a valid "arguement" when a customer comes in and says....... which is only a myth. Sometimes we dont know its a myth and all being professional its good to know.

The thread was quite old and many have joined since then and As you quoted with good reason
Boy ! You peopel know how to make a guy happy. I never thought anything I 'd say would start a ball rolling.
But as usual we can count on Jim to put things in the right order. He hit it right on the head when he said,"If you don't understand why something is done a certain way, ASK QUESTIONS and find out WHY "the experts" say to do it that way. "
Most Rules do in deed have a reson for them .But blindly accepting them as mindless axioms is worthless.That's why we should go to all the classes we can and why I check the contents of all the post here and on HH regaurdless of their author.The more we hear the better our chances of understanding WHY.
BUDDY

So I am just bringing the thread out of the closet and giving it a new life.

Maybe we should email all these to Mythbusters
 
How about the myth that custom framers are too expensive and just a bunch of rip-off artists? This is something anyone can do, of course. It's only 4 sticks of wood and some paper!
 
"The artist/photographer/decorator told me to do it this way, so they must be right."

After all, they are in a related business, while you have just been engaged in a full-time hobby for 28 years.
 
I HATE that "but this is the mat the artist put on it" thing. I AM an artist, and I can tell you, what you buy a piece of art in has more to do with what was laying around the studio that fit, than to do with aesthetics.
 
"You've got to be kidding! That frame costs more than the picture!!!"
 
"I don't really need to advertize.........I have such a strong customer base, that word of mouth advertising is all I need."



John
 
lets see:
Non-glare glass protects the image.
Maple is a dark orange wood.
"Oak" is a color.
Regardless of the original condition the artwork should lay flat once in the frame.
There is a frame somewhere that looks as good as the one selected, only a lot less expensive.
The word "just" is allowable in a discussion of preservation framing.

Susan, That's not a myth. I can document it on almost a weekly basis.
faintthud.gif
It leads to the myth that all custom framing is expensive. My solution is to suggest they buy more expensive art so the framing will be closer in cost. :D
 
"I want a cheap frame and I'm sure the cheap ones only come in black (and they are very thin)."
 
Most of those mentioned are Myths Among Consumers, but some of the most pervasive are the ones we perpetuate ourselves - like the living, breathing oils.

The Myth of Acid-Free is one we seem to have trouble letting go of.

Also, "You need lots of spring clips to hold that picture securely in a metal frame."

And, "All plastic glazing is a giant PIA to work with."

Or, "Wall Buddies are too expensive."
 
I have to laugh.

The first two in this thread -

Dry mounting may negatively affect value, but it's hard to argue that Fusion 4000 doesn't preserve art by isolating it from ordinary foam core.

Thin frames so as not to detract from the art - A noted artist, who regularly has his art framed with me and has his customers come to me for framing, demands minimalist frames for that very reason. Who am I to argue?

Pat :D :D
 
"... I only paid $20 for this 24 x 36 poster, it shouldn't cost more than that to frame it!"

"... I'm telling you it's POSTER SIZE why can't you give me an exact quote over the phone?"

Do you sell invisible glass?
 
>The Myth of Acid-Free is one we seem to have trouble letting go of.

Could you elucidate on this point, please?
 
TheDoctah, let me guess ... Ron is referring to the:

Some glass is acid free and some isn't ... Do you have acid free glass?

no wait, "Acid Free" mats (It's near impossible to find some that aren't. Even "paper mats" are "acid free" today.) are good for your art.

oh never mind, I'm sure I have no idea what Ron meant!
 
The artist framed it like this, so it must of been how he/she wanted it...not they framed it as cheap as possible that is why it is falling apart.

I bought museum glass and I still see a reflection.

Acrylic is impossible to use...you just don't know how to use/handle it.

If I drymount this photograph to a piece of foamcore or matboard it won't warp/bend.

Coroplast is expensive.

I have never had an issue with Fedex or UPS. They are always on-time. If you are the one out there that has been fine, you must have pleasant dreams.

We are never out-of-stock...no need, you can all guess who that is about.

Patrick Leeland
 
The customer will handle his/her framed piece with care, carry it right-side-up, not leave it in a hot car on the way home, and hang it on both of the proper-sized hooks we gave them.
party.gif
Rick
 
The customer is always right.

---------------------------------
Not sure how to respond to a customer's questions or actions?
Check out my new ultimate customer response system. I call it the 8 box.
(because it was easier to make it square than round)

Caution may not be suitable for younger people!
http://www.thegallery.us/8ball/
 
It does if you are covering up a minor boo-boo! (not that I have ever done this personally, but I read about it once...)
 
"Acid-free means the same as conservation and preservation." -- NOT!!! (sorry, I needed to scream that!)
 
Janet, here is the real quandary: For every civilian I've encountered who thinks that framing is really expensive and framers (actually ALL business owners) are rolling in money, I've met one who will ask, "You can actually make a living at this?"
 
Originally posted by TheDoctah:
>The Myth of Acid-Free is one we seem to have trouble letting go of.

Could you elucidate on this point, please?
The term "acid-free" has been bastardized to the point of meaningless-ness.

Even the cheapest decorative matboards are buffered today to be "acid-free," though it's a temporary condition.

There are "acid-free" adhesives that will still leave a permanent residue or leach through the paper to ruin the art. But, hey, at least they're not acidic.

As Bossy Ellen points out from time-to-time, ammonia is "acid-free."

"Acid-free" has little or nothing to do with being "conservation-quality", permanent or reversible, light-fast or low-fat. Yet it's a term nearly all of us use in our conversations with each other and with our customers.
 
Scratch-resistant plexi is NOT a myth - try Acrylite OP3 AR. It doesn't even scratch with steel wool. Just make sure you install it with the Abrasion Resistant side out.

Pat :D
 
Customer myths,

Let me roll my print and wrap a rubberband around it so it won't get damaged.

1/4 shiny gold metal frames with no mats around the artwork is not tacky.

My Interior designer knows how this print should be framed.
 
While I thought Dave wanted things FRAMERS MYTHICLLY belived to be true about their craft,I couldn't resist replying to Artisteric's post "Fancy matting takes away from the art being framed and actually becomes the art..."

It is true that it is an ART to produce fancy mats that enhance the art without over powering or competeing with it. But there just aren't many Framers who are capable of acheiveing those goals. However the name Brian Wolf among others does come to mind, and make most of envious while we try to emmulate his ability.IMHO.
BUDDY
 
If I learn to bend over those flexy naily thingies, and I remember to clean the glass on one side at least.... I'm a framer.

If my mommy pays me to do the above, I'm a prophessional picter framor.
kaffeetrinker_2.gif
 
Towels, bedding, underwear and mats should all be white.
 
Home based businesses have lower operating expenses.

"I'd like to use one of those invisible frames..."

Ten different pieces of art each framed uniquely should get a 'volume' framing discount.

"You don't need a deposit because you have my artwork!"

All signed and numbered prints are investment quality and will appreciate in value.
 
"It won't be hanging near a window/that room doesn't get much light, so this antique watercolor by my great-grandmother won't fade."

"Ansel Adams dry mounted his phtotgraphs, so if it was good enough for him..."
 
Originally posted by Matoaka:
"You've got to be kidding! That frame costs more than the picture!!!"
Oh yes, my favorite too!

This moron, sorry, gentleman, rushes in, with a $10 painting bought in Moscow.

He heads straight for the $50 / ft 22 KT gold leaf frames and choses it for his painting! When I tell hi the price, he starts his diatribe about the $10 dollars he spent!

So I tell, him about the $10 posters that some people bring in and still frame in $1000 frames. He leaves very defalted, good riddance.
fire.gif
\

PS: Please excuse any typos, just had an eye operation....
 
"Can you cut 40 mats for mew at $4 each, they are for a church!!"

"Can I also have 40 frames at $10, they are also for the same church"

"and foamboard too!"

I guess I'll just let the church pay for my rent and fixed costs....
 
"The frame has to be oak (fill-in the blank - dark wood, light wood etc) because everything else in that room is oak."

Had a first time customer bring in 10 prints and a chunk of wood stained the color of her walls which was barely a disernable color - like unfinished wood. She wanted to match the frames to the walls.

I told her I thought she would be happier if we matched the frames to the prints.

She said, "Oh -- well okay. I trust your judgment." Gee I wish they were all that easy.
 
If a customer brings in their own tape meassure they can read it...6iIi7 it is 6 and 2 lines long.

Only artists use those L frames (floater frames).

Latice work is an acceptable way to frame in a frame shop.

Atg or artist white tape is acceptable to hold art in a mat.

Why do you need two mats? You are only going to cut a whole in one, can't you just charge me for one? (Backing mat and face mat).

I took a class at the community college/arts center for two hours and I could frame it for $50.00 and it would be just as good as what you are charging me $200.00 for, you are a jip.

Do you use one of those $12.00 handsaws to cut your frames, cuz that is how I do mine and they kick a$$!

I like this topic...I am not sure if I amm off base, but having fun.
Patrick Leeland
 
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