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  • Light Size

    How to choose the correctly sized light for your artwork.

    Frame Size Light Size
    8" - 14" 7" - 8"
    12" - 24" 7", 14½", 16"
    25" - 37" 14½" - 16"
    37" +30"

  • Illuminating Information

    How do I select the correct light?

    Creative Tips

    Consider the following in conjunction with our suggested size guide:
    — What are your focal points?
    — What characteristics of an item or area do you wish to accent?
    — Does the area or subject have a certain theme or color hue which you wish to illuminate?
    — Will you be rotating your artwork mix?

    • Incandescent lighting will provide a smoother and softer light.
    • Halogen lighting provides a bright white and sharp light.
    • Do not hang artwork in direct sunlight.
    • Portraits should be hung individually.
    • Position artwork at eye level, approximately 59" to 63" from the floor.
    • If you are positioning artwork over furniture, then measure 6" to 12" above furniture.
    • Equally space your artwork and sort by size for a gallery style interior design. Typically, 3" to 5"
      apart for smaller works and 6" to 10" apart for larger works.

    Electrical Design

    We recommend hiring a qualified and licensed electrician to incorporate lights directly into the electrical system of your home.

    Cord Covers

    Here are some suggestions to utilize when covering up your light cord:

    • Purchase a cord cover at a hardware store. Cord covers are typically available in white, alabaster and polished brass.
    • Hire a licensed electrician to install a recessed outlet behind the artwork.
    • Follow a few simple steps to install a cord cover:
      1. Clean wall surface.
      2. Measure and cut cover for proper length.
      3. Insert cord.
      4. Peel liner from cord cover and place on wall.
    • Cord covers can be painted to coordinate with existing wall coverings.
    • Decorating with plants, vases, home décor items and furniture placement are additional options
      which may be used to disguise light cords.
  • Framing Your Photographs

    Protect Your Memories

    Your most precious photographic memories should be given the same treatment and protection that a piece of fine artwork receives.

    Some of life’s most precious memories are captured in the photographs that we take: a child’s first birthday, your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary party, your daughter’s wedding portrait. Yet, more often than not, we display these memories by simply placing the photo in a frame or sticking them on the pages of a self-adhesive album. While this treatment is appropriate for most snapshots, your truly special photos, especially those with historical merit or those that may be irreplaceable, deserve so much more. That’s where your custom framer can be of assistance. Special Characteristics of Photography The very nature of your photographs will dictate how they must be framed. Some photos are printed on papers which do not take well to regular heat-activated mounting techniques. Others, especially antique photos, are very sensitive to alkaline-based framing materials and therefore must be mounted and matted using special non-buffered boards.  All photos should be framed using at least one mat made of conservation quality artboard. This will ensure that the photo emulsion does not touch the glass. If it does, temperature and humidity changes may cause it to stick. This can potentially ruin the image. An acid-free, lignin-free, and groundwood-free artboard will protect the image from damage that can be caused by these impurities. Bring the Memories to Life Photographs can really bring back the memories and feelings of a special time. Why not add an extra element to your memories by placing a treasured memento in a shadowbox presentation with the photo? For instance, a photo of your son’s high school graduation can be brought to life when paired with his mortarboard and tassel. Or your daughter’s dance recital portrait will do a grande jeté when framed with her ballet shoes and a program from the event. These are just a few examples that can help to enliven your still shots. Ask your custom framer to help you find the special touch that will bring your picture-perfect memories to life! Lacquering - vs - Glazing Many times, a photographer will recommend that you lacquer a photo in order to protect it. This process is accomplished by applying coating directly onto the photographic image. The lacquer seals the photo against dirt, moisture, and in certain cases, ultraviolet light damage. While this does protect the photo to an extent, it also causes a permanent change to the image. In years to come, the lacquer may yellow or crack, thus ruining the photograph. A protective measure that is more in keeping with the methods of Conservation Framing is the use of UV-blocking glass. Tru Vue ® Conservation Series ® Glass featuring TruGuard ® UV Protection effectively blocks a minimum of 98% of the most damaging ultraviolet light rays. And like all other glass, it helps protects the framed items from outside impurities which might otherwise damage it.

    This information was provided for your assistance courtesy of Tru Vue®.

    Tru Vue® manufactures a complete line of Conservation Series® Glass featuring TruGuard® UV Protection that work together to protect your framed valuables. For hanging and shipping oversized artwork, we recommend ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet products. ACRYLITE® is a registered trademark of CYRO Industries.

  • Conservation Framing

    What is Conservation Framing?

    Specifying Conservation Framing is an important form of insurance for your valuable artwork, keeping it as lovely as it is today for your enjoyment for years to come. As consumers, we bring our valuables in to be framed for a number of different reasons. Sometimes we frame an item to create an attractive decoration for our home. On the other hand, sometimes we frame the very things we value most — whether that be commercial or sentimental value — in order to protect them from damage. What is Conservation Framing? Put simply, Conservation Framing employs the use of materials that have been proven to protect and maintain art in as close to its original condition as possible. When should I ask for Conservation Framing?

    Value is, at best, a subjective thing. If it’s worth framing, it’s worth protecting. Use Tru Vue’s Conservation Quality Glass featuring TruGuard ® UV Protection on everything you have framed.

    How can I be sure that I am getting Conservation Quality? Let your framer know that you want Conservation Framing employed on your project. Specifically, request the following: 1. Specify TruGuard ® UV Protection Glass. Ultraviolet light rays are one of the most dangerous elements that your artwork can encounter. It will not only cause your colors to fade to a mere shadow of their former glory, but will cause the materials themselves to begin to break down right in the frame. Conservation Quality picture framing glass is specially formulated to protect framed works of art from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. By specifying Tru Vue ® Conservation Series ® Glass, you are insuring that at least 98% of these most damaging light rays are filtered out before ever coming into contact with your valuables. 2. Specify Conservation Quality Artboard. Ordinary pulp-based matboard contains acids and lignins, which, over a period of time, damage the artwork they come in contact with. When going over your artboard options with your framer, ask him or her to show you only conservation quality artboard. Conservation quality artboard is free of all acids, lignins and other impurities found in ordinary “pulp” board. The result is an inert or pH neutral board which will cause no damage to the artwork it encases as time goes by.  3. Request a careful adherence to proper conservation techniques for mounting the artwork (sometimes called “hinging”) and sealing your artwork.

    The framer you patronize should be fully versed in the specifics of conservation hinging. Be sure to impress upon him or her how much the piece means to you, and demand that proper conservation standards be upheld.

    But even if a piece has value of a more personal nature, it may deserve Conversation Framing. Most pieces we bring to a framer should be framed with conservation in mind. As a rule of thumb, if the item you are framing is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind photograph, document or piece of memorabilia, or if it is an original work of art or a limited edition, it should be framed using conservation techniques and materials. The cost premium for Conservation Framing is marginal — and certainly well worth it. Where do I go to receive Conservation Framing? The framer that gave you this information did so because he or she believes in and practices Conservation Framing. It is important that you entrust your valuable framing projects only to a trained professional who cares about the conservation process, has experience and the necessary skills and techniques, and who is committed to using high quality conservation materials throughout your entire project.

    This information was provided for your assistance courtesy of Tru Vue®.

    Tru Vue® manufactures a complete line of Conservation Series® Glass featuring TruGuard® UV Protection that work together to protect your framed valuables. For hanging and shipping oversized artwork, we recommend ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet products. ACRYLITE® is a registered trademark of CYRO Industries.

  • Custom Framing

    What A Proffesional Framer Does for You

    This will tell you a bit more about the many jobs that a professional framer performs when it comes to your treasured works of art and precious memories.

    When you have a piece of art, a photograph or an item that you want framed, you have several options as to how to go about getting it done. With a photo, you can easily buy a ready-made photo frame at almost any store. For a poster or print, many retail stores offer standard poster frames that are available in a variety of colors and sizes to fit your décor. As an alternative, you could also visit one of the many "do-it-yourself" framing centers where, with the help of employees, you can cut your own mat and build your own frame.

    With all these options available, why are you in a custom frame shop?

    Designing Your Framing Package

    Although a good artistic eye is something that can't be taught, there are certain rules of custom framing which lead to good design that can. When followed, these guidelines, well known to your custom framer, produce a beautiful, well-balanced framing presentation that enhances the work of art without overpowering it.

    For example, did you know that the width of the mat border should never match the width of the frame? This tends to draw the eye away from the art they surround. Or that a poorly placed decorative element, such as a French line, can detract from the beauty of the finished package?

    Good design based on commonly accepted framing principles is one of the many reasons to custom frame.

    Protecting Your Artwork

    Perhaps the best reason to custom frame your personal and well-loved works of art is that a professional picture framer has the skills and materials necessary to preserve and protect them as closely as possible to their original condition. Acid- and lignin-free mat and mount boards contain no impurities which can damage the art they surround. Special UV-filtering glazing such as Tru Vue® Conservation Series® Glass featuring TruGuard® UV Protection can be used to protect art from the irreversible damage caused by light exposure.

    Professional picture framers have the training and skills required to use these materials to beautifully present your treasured items in a way that will not only enhance their appearance, but also protect them for your enjoyment for years to come.

    Why A Custom Framer?

    If you were planning to build a new home for your family, would you ask the person working in the lumber department of your local home improvement store to draw up the plans? Or, if you were sick, would you ask the checkout person at your drug store to diagnose and treat your illness? Probably not.

    The same reasoning applies to your decision to use a custom framer's services. A professional picture framer is a person who has been formally educated to know how to preserve, protect and beautify works of art, regardless of their known value. Many hold the professional degree of Certified Picture Framer or CPF. This notation can only be used with one's name after a rigorous, standardized test has been passed. CPF is to framing as Dr. is to medicine.

    This information was provided for your assistance courtesy of Tru Vue®.

    Tru Vue® manufactures a complete line of Conservation Series® Glass featuring TruGuard® UV Protection that work together to protect your framed valuables. For hanging and shipping oversized artwork, we recommend ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet products. ACRYLITE® is a registered trademark of CYRO Industries.