[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"app-navigation":3,"blog-category-resources":138,"posts-6-10-resources":141},{"tree":4,"leafs":137},[5,30,47,64,77,133],{"uid":6,"label":7,"to":8,"children":9},"MTM0","Custom Frames","/ctg/custom-frames",[10,14,18,22,26],{"uid":11,"label":12,"to":13},"MjI3","Custom Wood Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/wood",{"uid":15,"label":16,"to":17},"MjI2","Custom Metal Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/metal",{"uid":19,"label":20,"to":21},"MjI4","Canvas Floater Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/canvas-floater-frames",{"uid":23,"label":24,"to":25},"MjI5","Stretcher Bars","/ctg/custom-frames/stretcher-bar-frames",{"uid":27,"label":28,"to":29},"MjMw","Frame Samples","/ctg/custom-frames/frame-moulding-samples",{"uid":31,"label":32,"to":33,"children":34},"MjMz","Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic",[35,39,43],{"uid":36,"label":37,"to":38},"Mjk0","Non-Glare Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/non-glare",{"uid":40,"label":41,"to":42},"Mjky","Standard Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/standard-glass-acrylic",{"uid":44,"label":45,"to":46},"Mjkz","UV Filter Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/uv-filter",{"uid":48,"label":49,"to":50,"children":51},"MjMx","Matboard","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board",[52,56,60],{"uid":53,"label":54,"to":55},"MjY0","Custom-Cut Matboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/pre-cut-mats",{"uid":57,"label":58,"to":59},"MjM2","Full Sheet Matboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/full-sheet-mat-boards",{"uid":61,"label":62,"to":63},"MjM1","Matboard Color Samples","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/mat-board-samples",{"uid":65,"label":66,"to":67,"children":68},"MjMy","Foamboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board",[69,73],{"uid":70,"label":71,"to":72},"Mjg5","Custom-Cut Foamboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board/custom-foam-board",{"uid":74,"label":75,"to":76},"MjM3","Full Sheet Foamboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board/full-sheet-foam-boards",{"uid":78,"label":79,"to":80,"children":81},"MTM1","Framing Supplies","/ctg/framing-supplies",[82,107,120],{"uid":83,"label":84,"to":85,"children":86},"MTM1-group-0","Assembly & Mounting","/ctg/framing-supplies/assembly-and-mounting",[87,91,95,99,103],{"uid":88,"label":89,"to":90},"MjQz","Adhesives & Glue","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/adhesives-glue",{"uid":92,"label":93,"to":94},"MjQy","ATG Tape","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/atg-tape",{"uid":96,"label":97,"to":98},"MjQw","Hinging Tape & Tissue","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/hinging-tape-tissue",{"uid":100,"label":101,"to":102},"MjQx","Photo Corners & Strips","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/photo-corners-strips",{"uid":104,"label":105,"to":106},"MjM0","Picture Frame Spacers","/ctg/framing-supplies/picture-frame-spacers",{"uid":108,"label":109,"to":110,"children":111},"MTM1-group-1","Hanging & Finishing","/ctg/framing-supplies/hanging-and-finishing",[112,116],{"uid":113,"label":114,"to":115},"MjQ0","Hanging Hardware","/ctg/framing-supplies/picture-frame-hanging-supplies",{"uid":117,"label":118,"to":119},"MjQ2","Cleaning Supplies","/ctg/framing-supplies/cleaning-supplies",{"uid":121,"label":122,"to":123,"children":124},"MTM1-group-2","Protection & Storage","/ctg/framing-supplies/protection-and-storage",[125,129],{"uid":126,"label":127,"to":128},"Mjk4","GalleryPouch™ Art Bags","/prod/gallery-pouch",{"uid":130,"label":131,"to":132},"Mjc4","Photo Storage Boxes","/ctg/framing-supplies/backing-and-protection-supplies/clear-bags-and-storage-boxes",{"uid":134,"label":135,"to":136},"Mjgx","Sale","/ctg/picture-frames-discount",{"MjI3":10,"MjI2":14,"MjI4":18,"MjI5":22,"MjMw":26,"Mjk0":35,"Mjky":39,"Mjkz":43,"MjY0":52,"MjM2":56,"MjM1":60,"Mjg5":69,"MjM3":73,"MjQz":87,"MjQy":91,"MjQw":95,"MjQx":99,"MjM0":103,"MjQ0":112,"MjQ2":116,"Mjk4":125,"Mjc4":129,"Mjgx":133},{"id":139,"name":140},"dGVybTo0Mg==","Resources",{"posts":142,"total":272},[143,157,170,183,196,208,220,232,247,259],{"id":144,"title":145,"uri":146,"content":147,"excerpt":148,"date":149,"modified":150,"categories":151,"image":154},"cG9zdDoyODQ0","All About the Dye-Sublimation Printing Process","/resources/all-about-the-dye-sublimation-printing-process","\n\u003Cp>Metal prints are all the rage, but it is one type in particular that has taken the art and home décor world by storm: dye-sublimation metal prints. These prints are made using a process that has been around for decades but has only recently been applied to photography and artwork. The result is a crystal-clear print that has a radiance you can’t achieve with standard printing methods and materials.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These metal prints may look like magic, but it's real - and it's all thanks to the wonder of science.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Dye-Sublimation Printing?\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dye-sublimation, as mentioned in our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/what-are-metal-prints\">post explaining metal prints\u003C/a>, has been around since 1957 when it was invented by French researcher Noël de Plasse of the textile company Lainière de Roubaix. The process, initially developed for textile printing, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/brief-history-dye-sublimation-printing-dr-justin-hayward-hayward/\">led to the founding of the company Sublistatis SA\u003C/a>, which was dedicated solely to monetizing this new process.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Sublimation is type of phase change in which a solid transitions directly into a gas; the reverse is called deposition. With dye sublimation, specially made inks are able to sublimate — i.e. turn into a gas — directly into a substrate, commonly textiles or plastics. This causes the dye to become part of the finished piece, unlike other printing processes in which the ink sits on top of the substrate.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are \u003Ca href=\"https://www.smitherspira.com/industry-market-reports/printing/dye-sublimation-printing-to-2023\">several important parts of the dye-sublimation\u003C/a> process:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Graphics software\u003C/strong>: Before the item is printed — no matter what it is being printed on — the image is uploaded into professional graphics software for editing.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Printer\u003C/strong>: A special printer capable of printing the sublimation inks onto transfer paper is required.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Ink\u003C/strong>: The ink is perhaps one of the most important parts of this process. There are two major types of inks, including aqueous dye sublimation ink and solvent dye sublimation ink, but other categories (eco-solvent ink, for example) are growing in use.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Transfer/sublimation paper\u003C/strong>: You cannot print directly onto the final substrate. Instead, the special printer will print the image onto transfer paper, which holds the ink until it is placed into the heat press.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Substrate\u003C/strong>: The substrate (i.e. what the final image will appear on) must be able to accept sublimation ink. The most common substrates for dye-sublimation are textiles for garments, along with polyester, non-cotton polyester blends and polyester-coated semi-rigid plastics and other “rigids” (i.e. metal). Many other substrates can be printed on, however, provided they have the right coating.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Heat press\u003C/strong>: The heat press is the final stage of the dye-sublimation process. The substrate and transfer paper, with the image printed in reverse on the paper, are secured in the press. After some time in the press, the image is transferred to the substrate.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Metal prints for home décor are just the latest use for the dye-sublimation process. It’s far more common in the garment industry — according to \u003Ca href=\"https://www.smitherspira.com/resources/2017/march/market-trends-in-dye-sublimation-print\">Smithers Pira research\u003C/a>, it comprises 75% of the dye-sublimation market — as its long-lasting, high-quality appearance is perfect for clothing that has to live through wearing, washing and drying.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other industries making use of this special printing process include visual communications, which includes marketing signs, tradeshow and event graphics, and promotional materials such as mugs and hats. Technical industries are using dye-sublimation for accessories and parts, while the home décor industry has used it for specialty fabrics for windows drapes and curtains — and now, artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Take Care of and Display Dye-Sublimation Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the dye-sublimation process, the resulting metal print is a nearly permanent and durable piece of artwork that has much less chance of damage, scratching and fading. That doesn’t mean you should just leave them alone, though: you still need to clean, store and display them properly.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clean Your Metal Print\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Everything in your home, including your new metal print, will collect dust, while curious fingers will leave oily smudges. Neither dust nor fingerprints will do long-term damage to the print, but they detract from the print’s luster. Clean your metal print on a regular basis with a microfiber cloth and any all-purpose household cleaner (or even simple dish soap and warm water).\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If your metal print needs to stay in storage before display, slip it into a GalleryPouch bubble bag to protect both the print and other artwork. Some metal prints may have sharp corners, so it’s important to be careful when storing it with delicate, paper-based art.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Display Your Metal Print\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can display your metal print anywhere inside your home but note that even though metal prints are resistant to fading, they will eventually lose some color vibrancy. Like any artwork, it’s wise to keep them out of direct sunlight. Dye-sublimation metal prints are not suitable for outdoor display, unless the printer has specifically outlined this use.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Enhance your print’s natural allure with the right picture frame for dye-sublimation \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/info/metal-print-framing.html\">metal prints\u003C/a>. There are several excellent picture frames for metal prints that complement their vibrant colors, bringing an extra touch of sophistication to an already sleek and chic piece of artwork. Frame your print in a two-toned metal frame or make a statement with the bold, wide \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/nielsen-profile-99.html\">profile 99\u003C/a> — and let us know how it looks!\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>Metal prints are all the rage, but it is one type in particular that has taken the art and home décor world by storm: dye-sublimation metal prints. These prints are made using a process that has been around for decades but has only recently been applied to photography and artwork. The result is a crystal-clear […]\u003C/p>\n","2018-05-10T09:00:44","2023-01-30T15:35:46",[152],{"name":140,"slug":153},"resources",{"url":155,"label":156},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Frame-Destination-Blog-Dye-Sublimation.jpg","dye sublimation metal prints",{"id":158,"title":159,"uri":160,"content":161,"excerpt":162,"date":163,"modified":164,"categories":165,"image":167},"cG9zdDoyODM4","What Are Metal Prints?","/resources/what-are-metal-prints","\n\u003Cp>One of the latest trends in high-end art and home décor is the metal print: a photograph or other piece of artwork printed on a metal substrate (see \u003Ca href=\"https://displate.com/\">Displate\u003C/a>). While this seems straightforward, there is some confusion as to what a metal print is and isn’t, and how it differs from traditional photo prints.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dye-Sublimation Metal Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When people refer to metal prints, they are most likely referring to prints made through the dye-sublimation process. It is not new: dye-sublimation was discovered in France in 1957 by Noël de Plasse, a researcher at textile company Lainière de Roubaix, who noticed that some solid dyes could transition to the gaseous phase without ever becoming a liquid. This was dubbed “transfer printing,” and it is used extensively to print on textiles, paper and other materials to create fabrics, banners, signs and even household items such as mugs.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Printing photographs on metal, most commonly aluminum, is a newer application of this process. Roger Laudy, a professional printer and owner of Image Wizards in Kentucky, is said to have developed \u003Ca href=\"https://www.the-dispatch.com/story/business/2014/10/21/image-wizards-changes-the-view-of-printed-photography/31035053007/\">the technique for creating metal prints\u003C/a> through dye sublimation in 2003.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most popular brands that create metal prints with the dye-sublimation process include Laudy’s Image Wizards, ChromaLuxe® and Unisub®, the last two of which are brands under the Universal Woods company. While each specific company may put their own spin on creating dye sublimation metal prints, the core process is the same.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To make a metal print made with the dye-sublimation process, the image is first printed in reverse onto sublimation paper using special inks. After the print is cut to size, it is secured on top of a coated aluminum sheet in a heat press. The heat and pressure cause the ink to turn into a gas and bond to the metal.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UV Metal Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another method of printing photos onto metal is UV curable inkjet printing. In this method, an image is directly printed onto aluminum with special inks, which cure under UV light. This deposits the ink on top of the aluminum substrate — rather than combine with it, as in dye-sublimation — so there is no sheen to the ink as in other metal prints.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are other types of prints that may be referred to as metal prints, but they are actually misnomers. A metallic print is simply a photo printed on metallic paper, which features multiple sheets of paper and laminate, often Mylar.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Hang Metal Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Metal prints can be treated like any other framed photo print, except they are a little bit longer-lasting. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/picture-frames/hanging-picture-frames-in-the-bathroom\">Metal prints are ideal for bathrooms\u003C/a>: they are waterproof, and because no glazing is necessary, there’s no risk of moisture buildup underneath the glass or acrylic.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While they are durable, metal prints should not be hung in direct sunlight — any dye will fade in intense UV light, though perhaps not as quickly as regular photographic paper. Certain ChromaLuxe® metal prints, however, are specifically designed to be hung outside in direct sunlight, thanks to their special UV coatings.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Framing Metal Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Because metal prints created with the dye-sublimation process are durable, scratch-resistant and won’t degrade like regular photo prints, they don’t require all of the normally recommended protective materials in a complete frame package, such as mat board and glazing.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But you can still dress up a metal print with the right metal or wood frame. Your print may arrive with a hanging block, which is a piece of wood or metal featuring a small hole that allows you to hang an unframed metal print; whether the metal print has a hanging block determines if you’ll need a backing board when ordering a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/info/metal-print-framing.html\">frame for a metal print\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If the metal print has a hanging block — which can make it over a half-inch thick — two-toned metal frame profile 37 and frame profile 94 are great choices to display them. For metal prints without a hanging block, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/nielsen-profile-97.html\">metal frame profile 97\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/nielsen-profile-99.html\">frame profile 99\u003C/a>, with their shallow rabbets, are ideal for those thin metal prints.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Metal prints can be beautifully framed in either wood or metal — after you have your print, it’s simply a matter of choosing what you like best!\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>One of the latest trends in high-end art and home décor is the metal print: a photograph or other piece of artwork printed on a metal substrate (see Displate). While this seems straightforward, there is some confusion as to what a metal print is and isn’t, and how it differs from traditional photo prints. Dye-Sublimation […]\u003C/p>\n","2018-04-26T09:00:22","2023-01-30T15:40:23",[166],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":168,"label":169},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Frame-Destination-Metal-Print-Frames.jpg","what are metal prints",{"id":171,"title":172,"uri":173,"content":174,"excerpt":175,"date":176,"modified":177,"categories":178,"image":180},"cG9zdDoyNzQ2","Bottom-Weighting and the Golden Mean","/resources/bottom-weighting-and-the-golden-mean","\n\u003Cp>When framing artwork with mat board, one of the typical questions is about mat border size. Specifically, how wide should the borders of the mat board be? Framers, artists and art lovers all have different opinions. Some like single mat boards with four equal borders, while others love the look of double or even triple mat boards. There is also another classic style of framing art, which is the subject of this blog post today, the bottom-weighted mat board.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Bottom-Weighted Mat?\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A bottom-weighted mat board simply means that the bottom border of the mat board is wider than the top border. This \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/mat-board/the-seven-most-popular-mat-board-styles-defined\">mat board style\u003C/a> is common among traditional framers, as its practice has been in use since Victorian times.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-post-2746 wp-image-2749 size-medium\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"alignleft\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/Bottom-Weighting-01/Bottom-Weighting-01.jpg\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_292,h_342,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661445205/blog/Bottom-Weighting-01/Bottom-Weighting-01.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-2746 wp-image-2749\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661445205\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cstrong>    Bottom-weighted mat board\u003C/strong>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003C/div>\n\n\n\u003Cp>While it’s not entirely clear why or how the practice of bottom-weighting mat boards began, some framing professionals suspect it started because of the high ceilings common in Victorian homes. Pictures were hung at an angle high on the wall, making it easier to view. However, tilting the artwork made it appear as though it was off balance; to correct this illusion, people began framing their artwork with a wider bottom border.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another explanation of this mat board style is simply that the optical center is higher than that of the geometric center; in other words, where your eye is drawn is actually above the actual center of the space. It is related to the golden mean, also known as the golden ratio, a popular concept in art.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Meaning of the Golden Mean\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The golden mean exists when two quantities have the same ratio as the ratio of their sum and the larger of the two quantities, expressed as a formula:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/Bottom-Weighting-02/Bottom-Weighting-02.png\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_95,h_51,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661445203/blog/Bottom-Weighting-02/Bottom-Weighting-02.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-2746 wp-image-2750\" data-format=\"png\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661445203\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003C/figure>\u003C/div>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also related to the Fibonacci sequence and the golden spiral, which uses the golden ratio as its growth factor, the golden mean has been used in art and architecture as well as in math. Piet Mondrian’s famous Composition in Red, Blue and Yellow — and in fact the many works based on this theme — exhibit the golden ratio, as does da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Artists began basing their work off this concept, believing it created art that was more aesthetically pleasing.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignright wp-post-2746 wp-image-2751 size-medium\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/SimilarGoldenRectangles/SimilarGoldenRectangles.png\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_600,h_550,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661445201/blog/SimilarGoldenRectangles/SimilarGoldenRectangles.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"Golden Ratio\" class=\"wp-post-2746 wp-image-2751\" data-format=\"png\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661445201\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cstrong>Visual representation of the golden ratio\u003C/strong>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This pattern has been found in nature, too, which makes it all the more fascinating: the seeds on pine cones follow this spiral, as do the smallest seashells and the largest galaxies. Everywhere you look — under the sea and up to the stars — you can find an example of the golden mean.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Golden Mean in Bottom-Weighted Mats\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The golden mean is great for creating artwork, but how does it fit in with creating mat boards? The answer is simple: you can use the ratio, which can be expressed as 1.618, to determine the correct size of the mat board. This ratio will show you how much larger the area of the mat board should be than the artwork itself. For example, if you have artwork that is 8 x 12, simply multiply the length and width by 1.618 to determine the size of the mat board.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Then, to determine the bottom width of the mat board, you need to find the optical center. To do this yourself, you can use a piece of paper as big as the mat board.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Place the print (or a sheet of paper the size of the print) in the top-left corner of the temporary mat board.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Measure to find the vertical and horizontal middle of the remaining mat board, i.e. the mat board not covered by the print.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Use a straightedge to draw a line from the right side of the board where the drawn horizontal line ends to the bottom left-hand corner of the artwork. Where this line intersects the vertical line is where the lower right-hand corner of the print should be.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Once you’ve positioned your artwork, you can measure how wide the bottom border should be.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/FrameDestination-Bottom-Weighting-Diagram/FrameDestination-Bottom-Weighting-Diagram.jpg\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_2076,h_561,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661445196/blog/FrameDestination-Bottom-Weighting-Diagram/FrameDestination-Bottom-Weighting-Diagram.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Bottom Weighted Mat for Framing\" class=\"wp-post-2746 wp-image-2753\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661445196\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This method may not look “right” with all artwork, and some may say that the mat board is too wide or the bottom border too big. Play around with these methods — and the golden mean — to see what kind of bottom-weighted mat board works best.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\n","\u003Cp>When framing artwork with mat board, one of the typical questions is about mat border size. Specifically, how wide should the borders of the mat board be? Framers, artists and art lovers all have different opinions. Some like single mat boards with four equal borders, while others love the look of double or even triple […]\u003C/p>\n","2018-02-08T09:00:44","2022-11-17T12:49:51",[179],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":181,"label":182},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FrameDestination-Blog-Bottom-Weighting.jpg","",{"id":184,"title":185,"uri":186,"content":187,"excerpt":188,"date":189,"modified":190,"categories":191,"image":193},"cG9zdDoyNzM0","Float Mounting vs. Floater Frames: What’s the Difference?","/resources/float-mounting-vs-floater-frames-whats-the-difference","\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/FrameDestination-Blog-FloatMountVsFloatFrame-001/FrameDestination-Blog-FloatMountVsFloatFrame-001.jpg\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1024,h_536,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661445083/blog/FrameDestination-Blog-FloatMountVsFloatFrame-001/FrameDestination-Blog-FloatMountVsFloatFrame-001.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Float Mounting vs Floater Frames\" class=\"wp-post-2734 wp-image-2735\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661445083\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When it comes to framing artwork, there is a lot of lingo to learn: rabbet, hinging, moulding and points, to name a few. Two terms that are often confused — and often incorrectly used interchangeably, when in fact they are very different things — are float mounting and floater frames.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The confusion lies in their names, as they both use the word “float.” The word is used in both terms to describe the effect they produce: one is a type of mounting technique that “floats” the artwork off the mounting board inside the mat, while the other is a special type of frame for canvas artwork where the art appears to be \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/ctg/custom-frames/canvas-floater-frames.html\">floating inside it\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Float Mounting: An Overview\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Float mounting does not refer to a frame but to a certain type of mounting technique. The standard \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/info/picture-frame-mounting.html\">methods of mounting artwork\u003C/a> uses a mount board or uncut mat board with no window to which the artwork is usually attached with \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/ctg/framing-accessories/photo-mounting-supplies/hinging-tape-tissue.html\">hinging tape, tissue\u003C/a>, spray adhesive or dry mounting. Although \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/ctg/framing-accessories/photo-mounting-supplies/photo-corners-strips.html\">photo corners and strips\u003C/a> may also be used, they will be visible. Note that using permanent adhesives in mounting artwork is not archival, and they should only be used with replaceable prints and items.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the standard mounting method, the mat board, which has been cut slightly smaller than the artwork to reveal an opening in the center, is placed over the print. This covers a portion of the artwork’s edges.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, for some artwork — such as those with an important signature in the corner or unique edges, such as a worn-down document or a deckled watercolor — covering the edges is undesirable. To display the entirety of the artwork, framers will opt to float mount the piece. This means that no parts of the print are covered: either there is no mat board, or the mat board opening has been cut larger than the artwork itself. A typical float space around the artwork ranges from 1/4\" to several inches depending on the look desired.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In order to add more interest, some framers will \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/mat-board/float-mounting-artwork-on-uncut-mat-board-blanks\">float mount on uncut mat board blanks\u003C/a> instead of mount board — instead of just black, white or cream, the standard mount board colors, you can use a variety of eye-catching hues to draw the eye and complement the artwork and its striking edges.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Floater Frames: An Overview\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A canvas floater frame, also called a floating frame or float frame, is a style of picture frame specifically for stretched canvas artwork, available in both wood and metal. When using this frame, the edges of the artwork — generally canvas on stretcher bars — does not touch the inside edges of the frame, making it look as though the art is floating within it.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The canvas is attached to the frame on the back with offset clips, which are simply screwed into the stretcher frame. Though it looks like magic, assembling and hanging this type of frame is just as easy as standard wood and metal frames.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Combine Float Mounting With Floater Frames?\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No: while they have similar names, they are not the same thing. One is a technique and one is a product, and they’re also not used with the same types of artwork. Float mounting is used with photographs, charcoal and pastel artwork, prints, and documents, while floater frames are used with stretched canvases. Canvases cannot be mounted or matted, and prints cannot be attached to floater frames.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re going for a distinctive, ethereal style for your prints and canvases, try your hand at some framing magic — float them!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Written by \u003Ca href=\"/info/mark-rogers-author.html\">Mark Rogers\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/c_lpad,dpr_2.0,q_auto/v1/media/wysiwyg/Mark_Rogers.jpeg?_i=AB\" alt=\"Mark Rogers\"> Mark Rogers is the President and Co-Founder of Frame Destination. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mark has become a leading authority on framing techniques and best practices, and has earned a reputation for his innovative approaches to custom framing and frame services for photographers and artists.\u003C/p>\u003Cbr>\n\n","\u003Cp>When it comes to framing artwork, there is a lot of lingo to learn: rabbet, hinging, moulding and points, to name a few. Two terms that are often confused — and often incorrectly used interchangeably, when in fact they are very different things — are float mounting and floater frames. The confusion lies in their […]\u003C/p>\n","2018-01-11T06:30:09","2025-04-07T10:10:51",[192],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":194,"label":195},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FrameDestination-Blog-FloatMountVsFloatFrame-001.jpg","Float Mounting vs Floater Frames",{"id":197,"title":198,"uri":199,"content":200,"excerpt":201,"date":202,"modified":203,"categories":204,"image":206},"cG9zdDoyNzEy","5 Holiday Gifts for Photographers and Artists","/resources/5-holiday-gifts-for-photographers-and-artists","\u003Cp>If you’re an artist, you know what you like to use in your craft: the paintbrushes, canvases, paint and other art supplies that make your art yours. Around the holidays, you may get the same art supplies year after year, none of which may be suited to your work. While it’s thoughtful, gift-givers may not know what is actually the best gift for artists and photographers.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Professional Picture Frames\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>It seems as though artists and photographers would have dozens of frames laying around for their work, but it may not be the case — they are often too busy finding new clients, creating art, retouching photos and making prints to order the frames in which their artwork will live. Artists that sell their work will appreciate a set of professional \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/picture-frames/ready-made-picture-frames.html\">ready-made picture frames\u003C/a> to get them started in the new year. If you’re not sure which types of frames they like, buy a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/gift-card.html\">gift card\u003C/a> to let them shop for frames themselves.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Cozy Photography Gloves\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Usually a standard holiday gift, gloves for photographers are actually of a different breed than your typical chunky mittens. Photographers need their dexterity and the use of their fingertips, and thick gloves, while warm, don’t allow them to take shots or use their equipment exactly the way they want.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Gloves for photographers should be snug but not restrictive and allow photographers to use their fingers on touchscreens and tiny buttons without having to take the gloves on and off. Some photography gloves can flip open to reveal fingertips, but others, such as the \u003Ca href=\"http://www.freehands.com/power-stretch-5-finger-liner-unisex/\">Freehands Power Stretch gloves\u003C/a>, have touchscreen-capable fingertips.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Colorful Pantone Water Bottle\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Perfect for the graphic designers in your life, this \u003Ca href=\"https://www.pantone.com/pantone-drinking-bottle\">stainless steel water bottle\u003C/a> comes in five official Pantone colors, including Pantone’s Color of the Year 2017: “Greenery.” Whether they’re sitting behind their desk creating art or out on the road, creatives will love the subtlety of this grab-and-go style water bottle. The color standards company has also created a set of ornaments to jazz up your Christmas tree, and with eight available colors, you can pick one for each family member.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>3D Printing Pen\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"http://the3doodler.com/\">3Doodler printing pen\u003C/a> doesn’t replace regular pens — primarily because it’s not a typical pen. The 3Doodler is like a freehand 3D printer, allowing you to draw in the air and create a 3D shapes, scale models and miniatures. The 3Doodler is available in three models, including the 3Doodler Start, which is geared towards children; Create, which is primarily used by hobbyists; and Pro, the most advanced model for professional architects, engineers, artists and designers. Artists that have typically stuck to two-dimensional drawing and painting can easily transition to 3D modeling and sculpting — and they may even find a new passion!\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Drones for Photography\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Drones are one of the trendiest and most popular gift items for anyone, not just artists, and they can open up a whole new world of opportunity for photographers. Drones allow you to soar through the sky and take awe-inspiring shots of the world below or simply discover an angle you’ve never experienced before. Starting at $500 and up, a drone is a gift for someone particularly special in your life — and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on their face.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>If you’ve got an illustrator, painter, photographer, graphic designer or creative in your family or circle of friends, give them a gift they will use and cherish all year long. And if you ARE an illustrator, painter, photographer, graphic designer or creative, make sure to get the gifts you really want by sharing this list when dropping hints this holiday.\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>If you’re an artist, you know what you like to use in your craft: the paintbrushes, canvases, paint and other art supplies that make your art yours. Around the holidays, you may get the same art supplies year after year, none of which may be suited to your work. While it’s thoughtful, gift-givers may not […]\u003C/p>\n","2017-11-22T14:18:14","2018-08-13T09:56:12",[205],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":207,"label":182},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FrameDestination-Blog-Gifts-for-Artists.jpg",{"id":209,"title":210,"uri":211,"content":212,"excerpt":213,"date":214,"modified":215,"categories":216,"image":218},"cG9zdDoyNjc4","Using Gallery Lighting to Illuminate Your Framed Artwork","/resources/using-gallery-lighting-to-illuminate-your-framed-artwork","\n\u003Cp>A home is not a museum — there aren’t any guards to protect the valuables, and the house wasn’t built only as a way to display artwork. But even though you may not have all the bells and whistles of a museum, you can still light up your artwork professionally with a few gallery lighting techniques.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Gallery Lighting?\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gallery lighting, also called museum lighting, refers to the method used to illuminate artwork in a professional setting. Museums use this type of lighting to illuminate artwork not only so that the viewer has a clear, unobstructed view of the sculpture, painting, print or photograph — it is a way to \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/how-to-get-rid-of-reflections-on-picture-frames\">get rid of reflections and shadows on picture frames\u003C/a> — but so that the artwork’s most important features are highlighted appropriately.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Lighting the right way is actually its own field of study — the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.ies.org/\">Illuminating Engineering Society\u003C/a> was founded over a hundred years ago to address these very issues. They take into consideration the five “controllable qualities of light”: intensity, movement, angle, distribution and color, as well as the types of lights available. The Smithsonian American Art Museum, for example, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr_ivgCI9VU\">created a video\u003C/a> featuring the different ways in which light was used to enhance the gallery’s contents. Its complexity is surprising, with a series of halogen floodlights and incandescent spotlights precisely illuminating a sculpture — and the result is striking.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use Gallery Lighting at Home\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While it may not be entirely possible to control all five qualities of light in your own home, you can still create a dramatic effect by keeping a few tips in mind.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Choose to highlight a specific piece or the whole room.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unlike the rooms of a museum, which are built for the sole purpose of displaying artwork, the rooms of your home are built to be lived in. You may choose to have a room whose purpose is more geared towards displaying artwork, such as a study — this means that you have more of an opportunity to light for the objects, not the people in them.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you have a sculpture, you can choose to mount spotlights in various locations to highlight the piece, which may make the lighting in the rest of the room a bit darker. You could also choose to strategically place table or floor lamps around the room to \u003Ca href=\"http://www.christies.com/features/How-to-light-your-artworks-6683-1.aspx\">create layers of light\u003C/a> rather than lighting the artwork alone, says lighting consultant Harry Triggs. Alternatively, if you have one large painting in an often used living room, you may choose to mount a row of ceiling lights above it — the painting will still be illuminated, but you can still see the rest of the room clearly.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Select the type of light fixture.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are numerous light fixtures used in museum lighting, including ceiling lights, track lights, wall washers and picture lights.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ceiling lights, which can be recessed or surface-mounted, light from above. When using ceiling lights, ensure that the angle is at 30 degrees — any less, says \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-light-art\">lighting expert Doug Russell\u003C/a>, and you’ll get shadows. Any more, such as 45 degrees, and you’ll get glare on the picture frame.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Track lights offer similar advantages to ceiling lights, but they are more adjustable and easier to install. They may not have the same clean, professional look as recessed ceiling lights, but they are more suited to homeowners that don’t want to renovate their house simply to light artwork. The same rules in terms of angles apply: 30 degrees, no more and no less.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Wall washers are more dramatic, illuminating the entire wall rather than a single piece of artwork. This is particularly useful if you would like to highlight artwork in a room that still needs to be adequately lit, such as an office or living room. A wall washer can be placed at the floor or ceiling — and, since the entire wall is lit, you don’t have to worry about keeping that one piece of artwork indefinitely.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Picture lights are one of the most common ways to light artwork at home. They attach to the top of the picture frame itself, casting light downwards. While they can truly bring attention to the artwork and come in a range of colors, styles and sizes, you must be careful of the type of light and its intensity so as to not damage the artwork, as the light source is very close to the artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Pick the type of light.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>UV light is a known enemy of artwork, causing some of the most severe damage over time. Even though you may keep your artwork out of direct sunlight, many types still emit UV rays and create heat. Instead of using standard incandescent light bulbs, opt for LED light bulbs, which emit less UV light. Halogen bulbs are often used, but they do emit heat and can damage artwork if they are used for long periods of time. You could also choose to frame your artwork with \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/tru-vue-conservation-clear-glass.html\">UV-filter glazing\u003C/a> to further protect your art.\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>A home is not a museum — there aren’t any guards to protect the valuables, and the house wasn’t built only as a way to display artwork. But even though you may not have all the bells and whistles of a museum, you can still light up your artwork professionally with a few gallery lighting […]\u003C/p>\n","2017-10-02T09:10:29","2024-04-22T14:21:24",[217],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":219,"label":182},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FrameDestination-Blog-Gallery-Lighting.jpg",{"id":221,"title":222,"uri":223,"content":224,"excerpt":225,"date":226,"modified":227,"categories":228,"image":230},"cG9zdDoyNjcx","Buying, Storing and Framing Charcoal or Pastel Artwork","/resources/buying-storing-and-framing-charcoal-or-pastel-artwork","\n\u003Cp>Even though it is one of the most delicate art media, charcoal is featured in some of the oldest artwork in the world. It was used in the famous Chauvet cave paintings in France, for example, and many artists still use the medium to sketch thanks to its softness and ability to be easily erased. True pastels are not as old as charcoal — they were \u003Ca href=\"http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/papo/hd_papo.htm\">first used in the Renaissance\u003C/a> — but still remain one of the oldest media.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Modern charcoal comes in a variety of types, in including \u003Ca href=\"http://www.trueart.info/?page_id=289\">vine, compressed and pencils\u003C/a>. Vine charcoal is made by simply burning wood, most commonly willow or linden, and is characterized by its irregular shape, fine particle size and consistency — it most resembles the charcoal used in its earlier days. Compressed charcoal uses a binder, which makes it harder and less easy to erase, and charcoal pencils use compressed charcoal wrapped in paper or wood.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Whereas charcoal is available only its distinctive black, pastels, made with pigment, binder and chalk, offer a wide range of colors. Depending on how much chalk is added, they may be soft, which is easier to blend but dusty, or hard, which is less likely to erase or smudge but produces finer details.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Issues With Dry Art Media\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the greatest strengths of charcoal and pastel is also their greatest weakness. They are not only easily erased by the artist, but by anyone or anything that touches it — even a heavy breath may disturb the fine particles. Artists who create charcoal or pastel artwork that is intended to be sold may use a fixative to seal the materials, but this can often change the appearance of the work in terms of saturation and hue.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you have bought charcoal or pastel artwork and the artist has not sealed it, it is not recommended to use a fixative yourself as they are made with toxic chemicals that pose a serious health hazard. Hairspray has also been suggested as an alternative fixative for at-home use, but the chemicals in hairspray cause the artwork to yellow over time.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Store & Frame Charcoal and Pastel Artwork\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While you wait for a new wood or metal frame to arrive, ensure that you store the artwork correctly. Charcoal and pastel drawings should be stored face-up and flat in an \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/c/archival-photo-storage-box-acid-free.html\">acid-free storage box\u003C/a>, preferably not on top of one another. Each work can be covered with a glassine sheet — not plastic or paper, which can both disturb the artwork — if necessary, held in place with acid-free tape to a substrate such as mat board. Handle the artwork as little as possible to avoid smudging, and touch only the corners.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Mounting\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Because charcoal and pastels are one-of-a-kind pieces of art, you should not use any permanent \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/info/picture-frame-mounting.html\">mounting methods\u003C/a>. Instead, mount the artwork using T- or V-hinges or acid-free photo corners to the backing board — not the mat board — to ensure minimal movement.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Matting\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A mat board can be a particularly helpful tool thanks to the bevel. Typically, mat board is cut with a standard bevel edge, meaning that it is cut at an angle to expose the mat board core. However, cutting a reverse bevel on a mat board — in which the bevel faces inward, and only the straight edge is visible — creates a channel into which dislodged dust from the artwork can fall, remaining hidden from view.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you prefer not to use a mat board (or want to \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/mat-board/float-mounting-artwork-on-uncut-mat-board-blanks\">float mount the artwork\u003C/a> instead), use \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/ctg/framing-supplies/picture-frame-spacers.html\">frame spacers\u003C/a> to ensure there is enough room between the glazing and the artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Glazing\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Glazing is almost always used with charcoal or pastel artwork to protect it from damage. Glass is recommended over acrylic with media such as charcoal and pastel, as acrylic builds up a static charge that can disturb particles in the artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Earlier, artwork may have been framed right up against the glass — it certainly seems to make sense that framing pastel and charcoal works against the glass would prevent any dust from falling. However, the space between the glazing and the artwork prevents mold growth and humidity; while some argue that moisture can help “bind” dust, professionals confirm that there should always be a space between the glazing and the artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Handling\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When putting together the frame, move it as little as possible. Each time you jostle the frame, especially flipping it over repeatedly, bits of the charcoal and pastels will become dislodged.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Charcoal and pastel are popular and commonly used, but they may be less often bought, framed and displayed at home due to their fragility. While they may require a little extra care, a few extra steps and different techniques can make framing them just as easy as a photograph.\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>Even though it is one of the most delicate art media, charcoal is featured in some of the oldest artwork in the world. It was used in the famous Chauvet cave paintings in France, for example, and many artists still use the medium to sketch thanks to its softness and ability to be easily erased. […]\u003C/p>\n","2017-09-01T08:04:02","2023-05-15T14:53:59",[229],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":231,"label":182},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Frame-Destination-Blog-Charcoal-Pastel-Artwork.jpg",{"id":233,"title":234,"uri":235,"content":236,"excerpt":237,"date":238,"modified":239,"categories":240,"image":245},"cG9zdDoyMjcy","5 Tips for a Successful Gallery Show","/resources/5-tips-for-a-successful-gallery-show","\n\u003Cp>Do you dream of being the star of a gallery show’s opening night? Welcome to the club. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, most artists dream of seeing their work showcased in an art gallery. Yet landing a gallery show can be mystifying. Who do you talk to? What should you expect? How do gallery owners decide what shows to put on? How does the show actually happen once they say yes?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To help take some of the mystery out of the process, Mark previously reached out to our friends at \u003Ca href=\"https://15thstreetgalleryboulder.com/\">15th Street Gallery\u003C/a> in Boulder, Colorado, and asked them for a few tips that could help hopeful artists land a gallery show.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Choose Your Gallery Wisely\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not all galleries are the right fit for every artist. When you’re shopping your show, it’s important to research the galleries you approach by visiting in person, exploring the website or speaking to the curator by phone. Having this intel beforehand will keep you from pitching your show to a gallery that isn’t a good fit for your art — or one that simply doesn’t put on artist shows.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In fact, my take is that it’s worth the effort to create a digital or paper checklist if you’re looking at more than one gallery. With checklist in hand, investigate the following:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>• Does the gallery look like it has the space and proper aesthetic to complement your art? (There’s no point in approaching a gallery that clashes with your work.)\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>• What kind of art or artists do they specialize in?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>• How often do they change shows?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>• How far in advance is their show calendar booked?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>• Do they accept artist shows or are they strictly curated?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Know your priorities … and the gallery’s.\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another important aspect of selecting, being selected by, and working with the right gallery is to make sure your priorities and goals align. Do you want to sell or simply display your art? Does the gallery sell or just display art? If you’re interested in selling art, how much commission are you comfortable with and how much does the gallery take? \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_HotTakes_Callout4/FD-Blog_HotTakes_Callout4.png\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1024,h_172,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1701898200/blog/FD-Blog_HotTakes_Callout4/FD-Blog_HotTakes_Callout4.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-2272 wp-image-7959\" data-format=\"png\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1701898200\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Frame Destination customer and Painter \u003Ca href=\"http://rogerwinter.net\">Roger Winter\u003C/a> encourages aspiring artists with this advice, \"Work every day. Be honest to yourself. Don’t compromise.\"\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once you’ve identified your priorities and found galleries with the same intention, carefully curate a custom portfolio and present it to them. If the gallery prefers to show the works of local artists, play up your local angle and present any pieces you have that showcase your local ties. If you’re most interested in art sales, choose pieces that have the most commercial promise for your portfolio. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/catching-the-eye-of-a-curator\">Artwork Archive\u003C/a> has additional tips for curating an eye-catching portfolio.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Work Together On Great Framing\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once your show has been scheduled, work with the gallery to get all your pieces mounted and framed in a way that matches your vision, enhances your art and complements the ambience of the gallery itself.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some galleries offer professional framing services. If the gallery exhibiting your work does not, you can easily and affordably give your pieces a cohesive, gallery-ready look with high-quality \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/diy/diy-picture-framing-for-beginners\">DIY framing\u003C/a>. You can even purchase durable bubble bags and frame corners to protect your art during transport to the gallery or to the new owner’s home after a piece has been sold.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To ensure your art is protected no matter the environment, use conservation-grade framing materials, such as pH-neutral matting, UV protective glazing and archival hinging for works on paper. Using archival frame materials doesn’t just protect your work, but actually adds prestige to your art.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Promote the event.\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Galleries normally do some work to promote the event. However, depending on the size of the gallery and how often they put on shows, this can range from an email blast to a limited mailing list all the way to a nicely designed poster, formal press release and announcements to the local arts scene and media.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ask the gallery what types of promotions they do and how you can help them. Share the calendar listing and event on your social media. Ask local art groups, event websites and publications if they have a free calendar you can get your show listed in.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If the gallery prints posters or flyers for shows, work with them to select a compelling image that represents your work and the show. Then ask them for some extra flyers and take them to your favorite haunts and popular spots in town.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My extra special tip: Consider making your own event online and inviting your friends or sending an email to your local community. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Enjoy yourself!\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Your art is hanging in a gallery show, so enjoy it! On opening night, circulate and talk to all the guests. You probably have a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/how-to-write-an-artist-statement\">written artist statement\u003C/a> that describes who you are as an artist, your inspiration and the type of work you do. For a gallery show, cull that down into an “elevator pitch” of just a couple sentences. I admit that I’ve always hated this part — mainly because I didn’t know what to say. Now I have my pitch committed to memory, plus an extended version on \u003Ca href=\"https://joelycrogers.com\">JoelyRogers.com\u003C/a>:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>“I create food illustrations using colored pencils that I sell on \u003Ca href=\"https://fineartamerica.com\">Fine Art America\u003C/a>. My favorite subjects are anything related to growing, harvesting, preparing and serving food.”\u003C/p>\n\u003C/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While your show is up, feel free to stop by a few times to see it in its glory and bring some friends who might have missed the opening. Check in on sales, but don’t pester. Appreciate the fact that you have a successful gallery show and keep a memento — like a flyer or calendar listing — to help you remember the event.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just think, there are fans out there who aren’t aware of your wonderful work. Don’t make them wait another moment to discover you!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated October 17, 2023\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>Do you dream of being the star of a gallery show’s opening night? Welcome to the club. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, most artists dream of seeing their work showcased in an art gallery. Yet landing a gallery show can be mystifying. Who do you talk to? What should you expect? How do […]\u003C/p>\n","2016-09-14T10:43:39","2023-12-07T12:42:28",[241,244],{"name":242,"slug":243},"For Professionals","for-professionals",{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":246,"label":182},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FD-BlogHero_IMG-5TipsForShow.jpg",{"id":248,"title":249,"uri":250,"content":251,"excerpt":252,"date":253,"modified":253,"categories":254,"image":256},"cG9zdDoyMTA0","Book Review: Art Inc.","/resources/book-review-art-inc","\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Art Inc. by Lisa Congdon\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Lisa Congdon wants your dream of becoming a working artist to come true. And her book, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Art-Inc-Essential-Building-Career/dp/145212826X/ref=sr_1_1\">\u003Cem>Art Inc.\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, is all about how to make to that dream a reality. This cute little book contains seven jam-packed chapters focused on the business aspects of being an artist. She starts by urging you to embrace yourself as an artist then continues with vision mapping and goal-setting. From there, she moves on to selling and promoting your work, and then discusses how to go after different income streams. Finally, she closes with advice on how to manage the ebb and flow of success, including downtime – a very important part of being an artist. The book also features interviews with nineteen artists who discuss their business practices, and contains an extensive resources section.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Initially, I had planned to do a chapter-by-chapter review, but the book has so much information that I decided to pick a small section to focus on. I chose “Building Your Vision and Accomplishing Goals” from Chapter 2 – Getting Down to Business. In this section, she outlines a four-step process for creating a vision for your art business and setting goals to achieve that vision. Since I’m an artist, I thought this would be a great experiment.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>I have been creating art since I was five years old, so a solid 41 years, and have tried just about every art medium and subject. These days, I mostly focus on art related to food. I have a website and would like to eventually do more with my art, but have been too busy with my real job, i.e. Vice President of Frame Destination, for the last 11 years to figure out any long term goals related to it.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Step One – Build Your Vision Map\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Lisa says, “The first step in setting goals is to make a vision map for where you would like your art career to be in three to five years.” How to do it? She says to write your name in the middle of a piece of paper; I suggest mixed media paper, so you can paint on it if desired, and draw a circle around your name. Then, select a few vision statements, draw an equal number of lines extending out from the circle’s edge, and write a vision statement on each line. I made my vision statements as ambitious and free of judgement as possible.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>My Vision Statements:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Get published in an art or food magazine\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Teach an online class on culinary art journaling\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Boost traffic to my website\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Sell prints through my website\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Sell my illustrated Simple Summer Salads cookbook on my website\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Exhibit at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Create an online portfolio featuring my food illustrations\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Put a mini e-zine on my website featuring my food cartoons\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>According to Lisa, the finished vision map should resemble a sun. I actually turned mine into a flower, which is more appealing to me than a sun. You can draw on an inspirational photograph, or even do it in Photoshop or another digital editing program, like I did.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www3.framedestination.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc.jpg\">\u003Cimg data-public-id=\"blog/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc.jpg\" class=\"alignleft wp-post-2104 wp-image-2113\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_500,h_358,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661476518/blog/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Frame Destination - Book Review Art Inc\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661476518\" data-seo=\"1\">\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Step Two – Articulate Your Values\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Lisa urges the reader to clarify their values from the start by using statements like “Selling my work will feel good as long as I…” or “I will feel good about my success as long as I…” She says “Clarifying your values will help you clearly communicate what your business is about to galleries, customers, collectors, suppliers, or potential clients.”\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>This took some thought because up until the past few years, my art has been mostly private aside from occasional showings to family or friends. The value statement that arose from my thinking was, “I will feel good about showing and selling my work if I can provide high quality products at a reasonable price, and have fun doing so.”\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Step Three – Set Intermediate Goals \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Lisa defines intermediate goals as ones that are small enough to complete within a few weeks to several months. She says, “Think about the big goals from the vision map, and set one to three intermediate goals that will work toward achieving them.” She said they should be concrete and produce a tangible result. I took two of my vision statements and broke each one down into two intermediate goals.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\u003Cstrong>Sell prints and other products through my website\u003C/strong>\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Set up a shopping cart on my website\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Upload images or documents that I want to sell\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\u003Cstrong>Teach an online class on culinary art journaling \u003C/strong>\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Create an outline for a class\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Record some practice videos\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Step Four – Develop Small Actionable Tasks \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The final step in this exercise requires you to create several smaller tasks for each intermediate goal. Lisa suggests making them extremely detailed and specific. She says, “Make sure each task is something you can complete in a few hours so that you have a sense of accomplishment each day.” So for my “teach an online class on culinary art journaling” intermediate goal, I created the following tasks.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Check out some online art journaling classes\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Research ecommerce platforms for digital downloads\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Ask people what kind of culinary art journaling class they’d be interested in\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Review my journals to see what I could use in a class\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Get more familiar with iMovie.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>I really enjoyed this exercise. The vision map helped me create a clear picture of what I’d like to accomplish with my art in the next five years. Doing the intermediate goals and small actionable task lists gave me a structure that feels doable and manageable.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>In summary, if you are already a working artist and satisfied with your income stream, this book probably isn’t for you. But, if you are ready to take that leap from hobbyist to professional artist or are already a professional looking for new ways to sell your work, I strongly suggest buying it. My only criticism of the book, and it’s a small one, is her use of a dark orange background for the artist interview sections. The book’s cover and a lot of headers inside have that same orange, so I think she was trying to create a feeling of unity. However, the orange background made the artist interviews extremely difficult for me to read. I purchased the paperback; perhaps the eBook has different formatting.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Happy art-making! And, please don’t forget \u003Ca href=\"http://www.framedestination.com\">Frame Destination\u003C/a> when you need frames for all those prints you start selling. We can do custom sizes up to 40” x 60” inches and offer mat boards, mount boards, glass and acrylic glazing, and all types of framing supplies.\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>Art Inc. by Lisa Congdon Lisa Congdon wants your dream of becoming a working artist to come true. And her book, Art Inc., is all about how to make to that dream a reality. This cute little book contains seven jam-packed chapters focused on the business aspects of being an artist. She starts by urging […]\u003C/p>\n","2016-08-05T11:49:13",[255],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":257,"label":258},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Frame-Destination-Book-Review-Art-Inc-1.jpg","Frame Destination Book Review Art Inc",{"id":260,"title":261,"uri":262,"content":263,"excerpt":264,"date":265,"modified":266,"categories":267,"image":269},"cG9zdDoxNzc2","Inspirational Art Quotes","/resources/inspirational-art-quotes","\n\u003Cp>I confess…I am an absolute quote junkie. Quotes have been a source of enlightenment, comfort, and inspiration for me since I learned to read, and I have amassed a large, diverse collection of them over the years. One of the cool things about having a picture frame business is that I get to share my favorite ones related to art, creativity, and inspiration with a larger audience. Each week I choose a new quote for the sales receipts we send out to our customers and then create an image based on it for our social media. These are a few of my favorite art-related quotes with images. Feel free to share them.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>1. \"Every artist was first an amateur.\"\u003C/strong> - Ralph Waldo Emerson\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>2. \"Creativity takes courage.\" \u003C/strong>- Henri Matisse\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>3. \"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.\"\u003C/strong> - Thomas Merton\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>4. \"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.\"\u003C/strong> - Pablo Picasso\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>5. \"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.\"\u003C/strong> - Edgar Degas\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>6. \"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.\"\u003C/strong> - Henry Ward Beecher\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>7. \"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.\"\u003C/strong> - Emile Zola\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>8. \"Art speaks where words are unable to explain.\"\u003C/strong> - Mathiole\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>9. \"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.\"\u003C/strong> - Twyla Tharp\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>10. \"You don’t take a photograph, you make it.\u003C/strong>\" - Ansel Adams\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>11. \"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.\"\u003C/strong> - Banksy\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>12. \"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.\"\u003C/strong> - Pablo Picasso\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>13. \"Art must be an integral part of the struggle. It can’t simply mirror what is taking place. It must go beyond it and be a living force of the revolution.\"\u003C/strong> - Amiri Baraka\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>14. \"Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.\"\u003C/strong> - Pablo Picasso\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>15. \"Art is the only serious thing in the world. And the artist is the only person who is never serious.\"\u003C/strong> - Oscar Wilde\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>16. \"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.\"\u003C/strong> - Francis Bacon\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>17. \"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.\"\u003C/strong> - Pablo Picasso\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>18. \"To be an artist is to believe in life.\"\u003C/strong> - Henry Moore\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>19. \"Art is not freedom from discipline, but disciplined freedom.\"\u003C/strong> - John F. Kennedy\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>20. \"The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.\"\u003C/strong> - Jerzy Kosinski\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>I confess…I am an absolute quote junkie. Quotes have been a source of enlightenment, comfort, and inspiration for me since I learned to read, and I have amassed a large, diverse collection of them over the years. One of the cool things about having a picture frame business is that I get to share my […]\u003C/p>\n","2015-12-21T11:13:51","2024-07-03T02:26:05",[268],{"name":140,"slug":153},{"url":270,"label":271},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/top-inspirational-art-quotes.jpg","top inspirational art quotes",87]