You’ve matted and mounted your artwork, positioned it on the wall and finally hung it proudly. But when you step back to take a look at your handiwork, you notice something: your reflection. It’s a common problem in framing and hanging artwork, diploma frames or photos, one that the museums have overcome thanks to precise lighting and high-quality glazing. We’ll look at three ways to reduce reflections on framed artwork — from the simplest option to the go-to solutions used by the pros.

Option 1: Eliminate the Glazing

The simplest option to eliminate reflection is to avoid the use of any glass or acrylic glazing in picture frames. The obvious advantage of this is a lower overall cost, as you are omitting a major part of the framing package. And with no glazing, there is little chance of reflection.

Unfortunately, this option has serious drawbacks. Because the artwork has no defense against curious fingers and atmospheric pollutants, dust and grime gather on the artwork itself, which can prove more difficult or impossible to clean. You also have less protection from UV radiation, which can more quickly fade and damage artwork.

Additionally, if the artwork itself is glossy, you still may see reflections with improper lighting.

Option 2: Adjust the Lighting

Assuming you are going to use glazing, the second least expensive option is to combine regular glazing — i.e. glazing without any built-in reflection control — with proper lighting. Gallery lighting is accomplished by positioning lighting directly above the artwork and fairly close to it, forcing the light to hit the artwork at a steep angle. This angle allows you to only see reflections if you are looking up toward the art from beneath it. Your options here are to purchase picture frame lights, which can be attached to the wall behind picture frames. Or if you have appropriate lighting already in place, you can simply adjust where you hang the frames.

Option 3: Choose Non-Glare Glazing

Not many people will undergo lighting renovation just to avoid reflections in picture frames. An alternative is to purchase specialty non-glare acrylic or anti-reflective glass glazing. The non-glare acrylic glazing features an etched surface on one side that helps reduce the reflection. However, the etching results in a loss of sharpness that is proportional to the distance between the artwork and the glazing; it is most apparent when using double mats. Because of this loss of sharpness, non-glare acrylic glazing is not suitable for shadow box framing.

Anti-reflective glass, on the other hand, uses a special type of coating to reduce reflection — but without the loss of sharpness seen in non-glare acrylic. ArtGlass Water White Anti-Reflective glass provides the full protection of glazing while making the glazing look practically invisible. Because it combines the best of both worlds — no reflection and superior clarity — it has a price point to match.

How you choose to reduce the glare on your picture frames depends on your budget and the importance of protecting the artwork itself. Whichever way you choose, you won’t have to worry about all that glare. 

Updated March 10, 2022

You’ve matted and mounted your artwork, positioned it on the wall and finally hung it proudly. But when you step back to take a look at your handiwork, you notice something: your reflection. It’s a common problem in framing and hanging artwork, diploma frames or photos, one that the museums have overcome thanks to precise […]

Acrylic has three qualities that make it an excellent substitute for glass in picture framing. It is shatterproof, lightweight and an excellent thermal insulator. Acrylic does require some special care and handling. Listed below are suggestions for cleaning and caring for acrylic.

Cleaning:

Reducing Static Charge:

Before removing the protective cover, dampen a soft cloth with water and wipe down all the edges. After removing the protective cover, you can use an acrylic cleaner such as Brillianize Acrylic Cleaner & Polish applied to both sides of the acrylic to reduce static electricity.

Acrylic has three qualities that make it an excellent substitute for glass in picture framing. It is shatterproof, lightweight and an excellent thermal insulator. Acrylic does require some special care and handling. Listed below are suggestions for cleaning and caring for acrylic. Cleaning: Never use glass cleaners that contain ammonia. Never use paper towels to […]

Acrylic is a type of glazing that can be used in place of glass for picture framing. It is often referred to by the brand name of Plexiglas. While glass picture frame glazing may be traditional, acrylic glazing offers many of the same features (UV-filter, non-glare) as glass with a few added benefits. It also has its own unique draw backs. Here are the pros and cons of framing with acrylic so you can decide if it’s the right framing material for your next project.

Pros of Using Acrylic Glazing

There are several reasons some people prefer to frame with acrylic. Some of the top benefits include:

Many of these qualities make acrylic a favorite among galleries as the visuals are better and the light weight allows for easier hanging of large pieces. It’s also a good choice for framed art in high-traffic areas since if it gets bumped or falls it won’t shatter.

Cons of Using Acrylic Glazing

Acrylic glazing isn’t perfect though. Here are some cons to keep in mind when considering acrylic glazing:

Depending on your needs and the level of frame maintenance you prefer, these cons could be deal breakers in some cases.

Acrylic Glazing Options

Acrylic glazing has emerged as a true alternative to glass glazing, meaning all the same treatment options are available regardless of the material.

Popular acrylic glazing options include:

In the end, one type of glazing isn’t necessarily better than the others. It depends on your individual wants and needs for each framing project.

References: “Caring for your art: A guide for artists, collectors, galleries and art institutions” by Jill Snyder.

Acrylic is a type of glazing that can be used in place of glass for picture framing. It is often referred to by the brand name of Plexiglas. While glass picture frame glazing may be traditional, acrylic glazing offers many of the same features (UV-filter, non-glare) as glass with a few added benefits. It also has […]

When you’re an artist, you may often leave artwork out in the studio or stored safely away. Sometimes, however, your studio or the materials and location you select to store your artwork can have detrimental consequences on your art in the long term.

The Studio Environment

If you create your artwork in a studio, it’s important to ensure the environment itself doesn’t cause damage.

Follow these steps to reduce harm caused by the environment to your artwork:

Weatherproof your studio: No one wants to enter the studio to find that a hole in the roof let in water that destroyed the collection. Changes in temperature and humidity due to drafty windows can also quickly cause damage.

Reduce the light: Studios are often brightly lit, with lots of windows or lighting. However, direct sunlight can fade and damage art. Control direct daylight with blinds, shutters, or UV-treated acrylic film.

Clean the air: Minimize impurities with air filters. Air pollutants, which range from dust to VOCs emitted from paint or plastics, can cause artwork to deteriorate.

Keep the studio clean: This may be difficult for artists who work better in chaos, but clutter is an invitation for bugs, causes a fire hazard, and contributes to airborne dust and debris. Make sure that you set all of your clean art supplies away when not in use, keeping the room clear of clutter.

Regulate temperature and humidity: Keep your studio well ventilated, as high levels of humidity can cause irreversible damage to artwork. Install controls to ensure the temperature and humidity levels stay at safe levels.

There are plenty of tools and environmental controls to help keep your art safe from harm while in storage or the studio:

The Storage Materials for Artwork

Artwork that must be put away must be stored properly to ensure it stays in pristine condition.

To prevent the loss of precious artwork or photographs, it’s important to set yourself up for storage success with the right materials:

Select archival or museum-quality products: Archival and museum-quality generally means that the materials are acid-free and suitable for long-term storage. Frame Destination, for example, carries a number of museum-quality framing and storage materials, such as acid-free photo storage boxes and acid-free tissue.

Check the labels: Make sure that no known damaging materials were used in the product, especially plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other unknown plastics should be avoided, according to the Library of Congress. Safe plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET). Our protective clear bags and print sleeves are made from plastics such as polypropylene and polyester.

Gain knowledge: Learn about the compatibility of materials you combine and what various environmental factors cause the most damage to framed pictures and other artwork.

Find the right archival storage materials to keep your artwork safe, and make sure your studio is in the right condition for artwork that’s out in the open. There is plenty you can do in your studio and in storage to protect your artwork from damage.

When you’re an artist, you may often leave artwork out in the studio or stored safely away. Sometimes, however, your studio or the materials and location you select to store your artwork can have detrimental consequences on your art in the long term. The Studio Environment If you create your artwork in a studio, it’s […]

Frames can make or break a piece of art. There’s a reason why art galleries choose certain frames for their collections — even a priceless Picasso would look cheap in a frame from a discount store.

You don’t have to have an art gallery budget to make your art look priceless, though. Canvas frames and floater frames are designed to mimic the look of fine art in a gallery, but for a fraction of the price.

What Are Floater Frames?

Floater frames get their name because of the optical illusion they create: the canvas looks as though it is “floating” inside the frame. This effect occurs because the inside edge of the frame is ½-inch from the side of the canvas, both protecting the canvas and giving it an appearance that is unlike any regular frame.

Floater frames at Frame Destination range from 1 7/8 inches to 2 3/16 inches deep, which are perfect for gallery wrap canvases that are between 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches deep.

For example, the F141 canvas floater frame is 2-1/8 inches deep, providing a recessed appearance for the 2-inch tall S280 and S150 stretcher bar frames. In addition, this frame is available with a black inside and gold or silver face, which further emphasizes the floating look.

Floater frames are available in wood and metal as well as a variety of colors, including black, white, bronze, gold, silver and natural wood hues, and widths — from stately 2 1/4-inch wide wood floater frames to ¼-inch metal floater frames that let the artwork shine.

How to Order a Canvas Floater Frame

Ordering a canvas floater frame is easy: pick a frame, select a color and then enter the size of your canvas. To determine the correct floater frame size, enter the size of your stretcher bar frame, measuring the straight sides from corner to corner. With standard finished floater frames, we add one inch to the canvas size to allow for a 1/2-inch gap around the canvas. If you prefer a smaller gap, which may be better for flatter canvases, simply adjust the size of your canvas: if you have a 16 x 20 canvas, for example, you may enter 15-1/2 x 19-1/2 so that the floater is cut 1/2-inch smaller, resulting in a 1/4-inch gap along the sides.

Each floater frame comes completely assembled with glue and V-nails, along with mounting and hanging hardware. If you’d like to see what you get before you invest, order a sample set: you can order corner or straight sets of color frames or a selection of black and white frames to find the perfect match.

Can Non-Canvas Photos Use Floating Frames?

Turn almost any photo into a canvas by ordering a canvas through a specialized printing company. You can also print a photo on canvas with a regular printer, though you’ll need to follow some specific steps to stretch the canvas so that it will work with a floating frame.
Regardless of how you create the canvas, a floater frame is a sophisticated and impressive way to feature your art — for now and for years to come.

Frames can make or break a piece of art. There’s a reason why art galleries choose certain frames for their collections — even a priceless Picasso would look cheap in a frame from a discount store. You don’t have to have an art gallery budget to make your art look priceless, though. Canvas frames and […]

Today, let’s talk about mat board window openings. It may not sound like an exciting topic, but understanding how to calculate mat board window opening sizes is a crucial skill for DIY picture framers.

The mat window opening, also known as the exact mat opening, is the opening that is cut in a mat board through which the image can be viewed.

mat window opening example

Standard mat window openings are cut slightly smaller than the actual image size — this is called “cropping” the image. The opening is smaller in order to cover the edge of the image or any surrounding white border if it is a print. This is both an aesthetic (it looks better) and a practical choice; you don’t want the image to fall through the window opening if it’s cut too large!

Standard, off-the-shelf frames that come with mats usually crop ¼ inch on all four sides. Frame Destination cuts our popular size mat windows 1/8-inch smaller than the image to allow for maximum exposure of your image without a loss of detail. For images that are larger than 18” x 24”, our standard crop is ¼-inch.
Example: Your image measures exactly 8” x 10”. This is the actual image size, exclusive of any white borders, if it is a print. If you choose an 8” x 10” mat in one of our popular sizes, the actual window opening size will be 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”, which crops 1/8-inch of the image on all four sides.

Example: Your image measures exactly 8” x 10”. This is the actual image size, exclusive of any white borders, if it is a print. If you choose an 8” x 10” mat in one of our popular sizes, the actual window opening size will be 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”, which crops 1/8-inch of the image on all four sides.

mat window dimensions

If you prefer less or more cropping of the image, check the “customize this preset frame size” box and select your preferences. You can also always contact us for advice on the best mat window opening size for your artwork.

Today, let’s talk about mat board window openings. It may not sound like an exciting topic, but understanding how to calculate mat board window opening sizes is a crucial skill for DIY picture framers. The mat window opening, also known as the exact mat opening, is the opening that is cut in a mat board […]