Picture framing and the making of picture frames for memorabilia

In picture framing, the making of custom picture frames for memorabilia (rather than photo frames) to display single or multiple art, papers and even three dimensional objects, is most commonly referred to as memorabilia picture framing. This specialized picture framing caters to customers' requests to picture frame whatever memento, souvenir, heirloom, keepsake or tangible memory we may have gathered during the course of our lives and in the field of any imaginable human endeavour. The list of objects we have framed  ... for customers over the years is endless and varies to lightweight papers to heavy railways iron pegs and indigenous masks.

While the type and size of memorabilia that needs framing varies, the care, attention, skill and concomitant cost this type of picture framing involves does not. The proper, correct and safe method of picture framing memorabilia is to entrust your memories to a skilled and experienced picture framer. We say this because many customers don't want to pay a picture framer and try to do memorabilia picture framing themselves.

There are far too many non-specialist paper and craft supplies stores advertising tools, materials and products for matting and framing without providing any training or skilled advice. One popular hardware chain store even advertises picture framing classes offering lessons on how to frame textiles and other embroideries with adhesive tapes and acidic backings !! Well this method may be enough for cheap prints or instant camera family photos but it's a no-no for anything precious, irreplaceable or valuable in any way.

We must stress that incompetent or incorrect framing is often worse than not framing something at all. Signed, autographed documents must safely, carefully and gently handled to avoid damage. Rough or sudden hand movements may result in folds, creases, rips or fingerprints which can all depreciate the resale value of collectibles. Most crucial of all is the mounting of collectibles within and inside the picture frame.

Non picture framers or amateurs may use damaging media such as blue-tack, pins, glue or sticky sprays to mount the picture. This is even more pertinent when antique, fragile, historical and very valuable items need to be framed. In these cases the picture framing often needs to be of conservation grade and also, reversible. This means that the the material used within the picture frame must conserve, not degrade, an item and more importantly, that said item be easily and non-destructively, be capable of being removed, should this need arise.

The mounting method (or how the item or artwork is mounted or held inside the frame) is crucial and usually requires museum-quality pastes or, at the very least, archival tapes or adhesives. For heavier items, non-acetic silicone and stainless steel clamps and wires are often used. Epoxy resins and Araldite are often used by framers but these are only suitable for unimportant, commercial, replaceable or disposable items which are of or have no intrinsic value.

As for the picture frames used to hold memorabilia, these are usually made of normal timber mouldings. However the rebates and inside of the frame may have to be sealed or lined with conservation board to prevent lignin or acid contaminations to the artwork. Customers sometimes buy snap-like frames, or plastic holders that will have you “easily slide your photo” in. These products aren't really suitable for signed or autographed photos.

There's the possibility that art or document might scratch, rip or tear while sliding it into place. So these get-by, slide-in products are best avoided. A specialist fine arts conservator or professional museum curator may need to be consulted should the customer require it or the need arise. It is not uncommon for, say, sport memorabilia consisting of a football jumper and a small few photos to cost $400 $600 to be picture framed.

At other times it might just be a star card collection from Baltimore sports memorabilia that one might have bought online.  Customers should ask their picture framer for photos or extant examples or framed memorabilia so as to gauge the framer's skill and value-for-money before making a decision.

To know about picture framing costs without memorabilia requirement go to our Custom Picture Framing Prices Estimator page. than you for reading this post "Picture framing and the making of picture frames for memorabilia.".