Our Most Popular Blogs of 2022
At the very core of what we do here at American Frame is the belief in the power of art and its potential to transform, beautify, engage, enhance, entrance, intrigue and fulfill. Everyone—from professional artists and museum curators to collectors, homeowners and even kindergarteners—has art well worth framing. It is our passion to help present that art beautifully, and always in the best light.
That is why we continue to bring our best collection of tips, framing techniques and artist insights to our community of artists and art lovers. To take full advantage of the informational and inspiring posts we’ve shared along the way, we welcome you to check out some of this year’s favorites.
Custom Framing and Matting 101
Novice and experienced creators alike understand the relevance of framing needs within their craft. But not all artists, photographers or individuals with specific framing needs are highly attuned to the ins and outs of custom framing applications. By becoming more familiar with these details, you curate the insight to maximize the quality of your framed work and save time and money in the process.
Here, we break down some basic elements of custom framing and matting to help clarify these important aspects.
Is Custom Metal Framing Right for Your Photography?
Deciding how to best present and protect your works of photography is an important consideration. The question often starts with identifying which type of framing material is ideal for your piece. After all, every photo is its own unique expression, and each one deserves a frame worthy of its beauty. So, how do you know if custom metal picture framing is the right choice for your photography? Read more here.
Priceless Pieces of Advice for First-Time Custom Framers
If you’ve just been introduced to the concept of custom framing or you’re interested in trying the DIY route, there’s lots to know and plenty of ways to get discouraged. Rest assured, however, that American Frame has dedicated itself to making this experience as accessible and pleasant as possible. To support first-time framers in navigating the process so you can feel confident and satisfied with the outcome, here are some valuable pieces of expert advice.
Choosing the Right White
From Porcelain and Pure to Polar, Frost, Ice, Igloo and every tint of white in between, there’s an entire palette of white hues to explore when choosing a mat board for your custom framing project. White may be the most popular shade of matting, but any artist or color professional will tell you that there’s nothing basic about this neutral shade. In fact, variations of white are both numerous and wide-ranging. There’s more to white than what you may see at first glance.
So, what really matters when it comes to distinguishing your whites, and how do you choose the right one? Here are some helpful considerations to keep in mind as you choose the ideal shade to complement your framed work.
Selecting the Right Materials: When to Use Archival Framing Products
Given the importance of preserving one’s works of art or photography, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the role framing treatments play in this effort. Not all frame types and materials feature the same level of protection for effectively preserving a work’s essence and quality. That said, the framing products you choose should depend on the specific project at hand, your overall budget and your goals for displaying and preserving the piece. Read more about choosing the correct framing products for your project here.
Framing Art Yourself - Pros and Cons of DIY Framing
As an artist, you’re often simultaneously a visionary, a promoter, a marketer, a social media influencer, a traveler, a dreamer, and so much more. It may be time to add “custom framer” to your long list of titles.
Hanging your masterpiece allows it to be seen and enjoyed by many. In order to do so, you need a frame. DIY framing is much easier than you may imagine, so we encourage you to consider learning to frame for yourself. The fundamentals of picture framing are easy to learn and fun to practice. Read more about the pros and cons of them here.
American Hardwoods Collection: American Strength Embodied
Innate organic beauty and strength—this is the hallmark of a solid wood frame grown and produced on American soil. Both infinitely versatile and individually unique, there’s a striking and simplistic quality to natural hardwood mouldings. It’s one of the many reasons why our American Hardwoods collection is so special to us, and why it continues to be popular among our valued community of art professionals and appreciators.
Take a closer look at the distinctions that define an American Hardwoods frame, as well as what you can expect from choosing this collection of domestically crafted mouldings here.
