hello everyone!

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Melanie

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Posts
7
Location
Carleton Place, ON
Hi, I'm new and this is my first post! You guys (and grls) seem like a great bunch of people. I'm pretty new at the framing game and just opened a store out of my home. I just have a question, hopefully someone can give me a quick answer..... When I'm assembling my frame, how much space should be between the frame points and the art package, should it be tight or a little loose? I just finished a job and the art package just fits inside the rabbet (guess i should have checked that first!) so I don't have room to leave any space and it's pretty tight. Any suggestions?

Thanks for you time everyone!
 
Hi Melanie,
Generally, your frame should be the size of your art package plus 1/8 inch. The fit around should not be tight to allow for expansion. The frame points should be snug against the package but not so tight against your backing that you might crack the glass.
 
o.k, thanks! There is enough room between the package and the frame. I will make sure it's not too snug against the glass. Thanks again!
 
You guys (and grls) seem like a great bunch of people.
Click to expand...
Boy, we've got her fooled!

Welcome to The Grumble, Melanie.
 
If you don't mind a bit of pain and blood you can use a sharp chisel or knife and shave a bit off of a long and short side to give a bit of room to the package.

When I shoot my art in I make sure my staples are pressing just a bit against the foam core. I don't want the package slipping down after it has been on the wall a while.

Welcome to the G!
 
Sometimes it is tempting to press a snug-fitting mat into its frame, especially when it takes just a little push to get it in there. But don't do it. Instead, take a minute to trim it to fit properly.

If tightly fitted, the mat may become wavy in a short time. Paper (and board made of it) does not compress, it cockles; and it doesn't stretch, it shreds.
 
I think you are right PhotoKris.

On those occasions, I use flex points. They will hold the package into place while allowing a little give. If you angle in regular points to get a bite in the wood, you are in effect wedging the package in and you lose the ability for expansion and contraction even though you have the 1/8 in space.

I hope that makes sense. I wish I could draw you a picture.
 
Welcome!
 
Hi everyone! Ya PhotoKriss I was speaking about the back of the frame. I am using flexpoints, and I've angled them slightly so they bite into the wood. They are slightly compressing the foamcore that the print is mounted on. So does that sound o.k?
 
Yes that is OK.

You could also take your exacto knife and cut a bevel off the edge of the foam core so you have room for the points if there isn't alot of room. This way you won't compress the foam core too much and risk cracking the glass if it is a full fit.
 
Welcome, Melanie!

...Or, you could use brads and angle them slightly through the fom-cor. They'll recess completely into the surface so when you put your dust cover on they won't protrude.The advantage of using brads over a point gun is that wood varies in density within the same stick of moulding and you have complete control of the pressure being applied to get a snug fit.


Dave Makielski
 
Welcome!
You can also use a rolling pin or any kind of roller to press down the edges of the foam core.
I use a 1 1/2 in. wood dowel.
 
I to wish to welcome you Melanie! however I think even with the amended answer to your original question some of our very helpful group may still be missing the thrust of your question. If you absolutely must squeeze a package into a frame where the backing is leaving very little room for the points and it is something like Fome board you may indeed wish to compress the edges of the mount board to gain a bit more room in one of the above mentioned methods.( i personally kept a wallpaper seam roller for just that purpose) however in the normal installation I think most would agree that you would do better to not press the package so tightly against the glass. As silly as it sounds a little bit of rattle is more desirable IMHO to smack up against the glass installation . It sounds better but if you check some of the threads concerning spring clips and leather or non -porous mats you may discover that too tight of installation may cause humidity to collect where the mat meets the glass and if your really to aggressive you can even crack the glass or split the rabbet.

Did I understand your question better ? or am I just running on at the mouth? either way i hope I helped. and an even bigger help may be the Search section , even the "before 2004" search.
BUDDY
 
Thanks Buddy! I think you definetely got my point! I had a look at it again to see if the other suggestions might work and I think that just rolling the edges will work fine, it just needs that extra little bit to not be too tight! Thanks again everyone. I love this site!
 
Welcome to the Grumble, Melanie. This site can be quite addicting - just a warning. ;)

I've used my marble rolling pin to compress the edge of the foamcore (before assembling the frame package). I also like Doug's idea of a wooden dowel and Buddy's suggestion of a wallpaper seamer.
 
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