Care of your print and framing

All our prints are personally supervised by the artist and available via page "Print gallery".

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The quality is so remarkable people will often touch the unframed prints as if to re assure themselves and ask 'is it an original?'

Best quality, very collectable.

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Gordon Frickers career as an artist started in 1966 at Maidstone College of Art. He has been working as a painter (specializing in marine art) and Art Photographer… He is one of the few artists invited to exhibit at the European Parliament (by the chairman of the committee for Transport and Tourism). His work has been chosen by many famous companies and distinguished individuals, he is a member of the British Marine Federation. You can find his résumé on the C.V./résumé page. http://www.frickers.co.uk/about.html) a "formidable list of clients" ~ quote from Audrey Hinks of Gallerie Marine.

You have or want a good picture and you want to frame, to "get it right"?

We publish a separate text as a guide for our Cotton Canvas Heritage quality prints.

Choosing a picture frame

We recommend you consider the frame is sympathetic to the picture, the owner's temperament and the room it should be hung in. What does that mean?

Some guidelines include:

  1. Unfortunately some picture framers are more interested in the frame than the picture. This is a natural mistake watch out for this. It will devalue your picture. They use frames which over power the picture; not good.
  2. The latest fashions are for quite clean simple mouldings with the detail in the colour and texture of the moulding. This suits almost all periods of room from ultra modern to Georgian and older.
  3. The frame should help the impact of the picture, to look sophisticated, steer well clear of very narrow or highly original frames.
  4. Big ornate classic frames still have a place particularly in formal settings like offices were other pictures have been framed in that style or where special attention is desired for the picture. Our swept frames are hand made to special order.
  5. Avoid frames that are narrow or very dark; they generally look and are miserly.
    • 2.5" ( 62mm) works well for pictures up to about 20" x 32" (508 x 810 mm) then add on about 1 " (25mm) per foot (300mm).
  6. For a modern person and modern home, even a traditional picture (see "Trafalgar Dawn") will take a relatively clean uncluttered moulding and very pale mounting card. Whereas the same picture in a Victorian or older style of setting would take a much more ornate frame quite comfortably.

Card mounting.

  1. If there is to be a card mount, it should echo the main theme colours of the picture and often but not always be white, near white or of a significantly softer tone and saturation.
    • The latest fashions are for white or near white card mounts.
  2. We now use Artscreen in place of glass. It has many advantages including lighter and almost unbreakable in transit and claims better UV light resistance.

Never frame directly on glass. Consult an experienced picture framer for advice before framing your print. Ask for conservation quality framing, cheap frames devalue your and your collection.

Do discuss with your framer the various conservation methods of framing which can assist in maintaining the life span of your print. Be sure to have the picture framer explain their methods to you.

Prints should not be permanently secured to the mounting board. Only two methods of attaching the artwork to the mounting board are "museum" acceptable:

  1. The use of quality hinges attached to the print borders and mounting board.
  2. The use of Mylar or similar print pockets that are attached to the mounting board. The print is then slipped into these pockets. No adhesive of any kind touches the print and the paper is allowed to expand and contract without any adverse effects.
  3. A museum quality acid free masking tape along the top edge.

Improper mounting is responsible for much of the damage to art on paper. Deterioration and discolouration are caused by the use of common mat board. Insist on acid free 100% museum quality art board to be safe, including for the backboard. The smallest amount of unprocessed inferior mounting board or adhesive will contain acid that "bums" paper and could cause it to turn brown. It may eventually become brittle and even disintegrate when it is removed from the frame.

Confused? If we can help in any other way don't hesitate Contact Us.

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We have a selection of collector's heritage quality prints many of which make sets. The pictures can be fully framed and delivered, see "Print Gallery". You can order easily, safely on line using PayPal or bank to bank.

"Print Gallery"

Superior paintings and prints produce a special ambiance making a statement. The best photographs and other forms of interior decoration can enhance, they can't substitute for fine paintings and signed prints. To maximize your investment we recommend always frame discreetly but don't spare the cost.

This text will we hope help you care for your new and existing art work to maximize its value and your enjoyment. If you are in doubt, we can supply finished prints and paintings to most destinations usually for very reasonable prices. Carriage costs do vary even with in the British Isles and some people like to organize their own framing so here is a guide.

Handling our print: We have seen coffee spilt on one of our prints, not a good idea, irreversible and heartbreaking for us. Always have clean hands and use two hands to lift the paper so no traces of skin oil touch your print to breed stains. Ensure there is no risk of creasing and the edges do not get crimped.

Never touch or drag anything across the image area, if you leave a thumb- print or scratch the surface, you will leave a permanent mark that cannot be repaired. Never use pressure sensitive tapes on the paper.

If you hang or store prints over or next to a radiator, heater or fire or on a damp wall the combination of heat, soot, smoke and or damp can do extensive damage over a short period of time. Make sure you check there is no dampness on any wall where you are hanging our print.

Our heritage prints should have a have a 70 + year life. Light fades all works of art, all inks and paints; even ours that are produced from start to finish with best quality materials. Once framed, your new print should be hung in an area away from direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Over time sunlight or fluorescent light will adversely affect your print. Fading is not reversible. It is irreversible damage. How much light is the optimum? The measurement in terms of lighting is called foot-candles, and according to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the optimum is five foot-candles, which is roughly the equivalent of a 150-watt bulb, approximately four-to-five feet away from the piece that is being lit. Genuine picture glass, ultra violet protective Plexiglas, Conservation Clear or a similar conservation glass will reduce the possibility of light damage but any strong direct light source should be avoided.

Store prints, ensure they have been separated by acid-free tissue, without overmounts directly one on top of the other. Never store or leave prints flat on a floor - elevate them so that air can circulate underneath and around them.

Humidity is a major enemy to paper and prints. The chief danger is mould. Mould grows in excess of 70% relative to humidity. According to museum curators, 50% humidity is ideally suited for keeping fine works of art on paper. Always maintain proper humidity levels wherever prints are being stored or hung. If there are signs of mould consult a reputable picture framer.

Have you seen the info about print quality on our

"Print Galley" page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the Mounting and framing of any and especially our fine art print(s).

Why paintings?

Few things make a home or offices look more stylish than very good paintings.

The rooms are given uplift for people without their even looking at the paintings.

They convey authority and integrity to the rooms in a way which no other furnishings can, challenging the imagination of all who see them.

Fine paintings will arouse conversations and give pleasure and value every time you see them. If you commission Gordon Frickers you will be in safe, experienced hands.

Investment

With quality art consistently out performing the stock market, some people order 2 copies, one to show, the other as an investment to keep in store. You only need one or two art works in your collection to become sought after to pay for all and much, much more, be a winner: enjoy and good luck!

Over the past 20 years The Art of Gordon Frickers has on average increased in value by 250%

Any prints you order from us carry an impressive guarantee, for details

Visit our "Print Gallery"

Gordon Frickers © 26.06.05, updated 23.08.11

This document "Care of Your Print" is downloadable for free in three formats:

Provided it is not altered in any way it may be printed in any quantity for any purpose.
No other use is permitted without the written permission of Gordon Frickers.