Pure Framing

Bespoke Picture Framing Services

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Conservation Framing

Pure Framing provides conservation and museum level framing services from Guild Certified Framer, Jo Ronald. Based in Carmarthenshire, providing picture framing services throughout South and West Wales.

The new 'Four Levels of Framing' from the Fine Art Trade Guild

In January 2021 the Fine Art Trade Guild updated their framing standards from five levels to the new “Four Levels of Framing” (link to the updated page). Museum Framing is now called “Level 1” Framing, and Conservation Framing is now called “Level 2” Framing. However, many customers or potential customers will be more familiar with the original terms, so these have been kept on this page for clarity.

Why would you choose Conservation Framing?

The Conservation Framing or Museum Framing options are for you if you have artwork, prints, photographs, textiles, documents and objects that you want to provide with a high level of protection.  When you have something to frame that is original, irreplaceable, collectable and/or of historical, financial or sentimental value, you want to be sure that the frame is designed and built to not only look great, but also to offer a high level of protection for the item that is being framed. It is for this reason that you would opt for Conservation Framing or Museum Framing standards.

What is in the Conservation Framing Package?

Conservation Framing and Museum Framing are the highest two standards of framing specified by the Fine Art Trade Guild. All of the materials used in the framing package, and the techniques used within the frame are of the highest standards available and include:

  • The Mounts used in the framing package are of Conservation or Cotton Museum standard so that the risk of pollutants from the paper being transferred to the subject being framed is minimised (old photographs will require un-buffered cotton museum board as the silvers in the development process can react with alkaline buffered boards).
  • The method of attaching the item to the mount is fully reversible, and only conservation standard tapes and adhesives are used so that the item can be taken out of its frame in as close to its original condition as possible in the future if required.
  • The frame is glazed with a glass or acrylic as appropriate that has a UV protective filter built in to minimise damage such as fading from sunlight and artificial lighting.
  • The glazing, window mount, artwork and undermount can be taped together in a package to provide a stable environment, minimising atmospheric changes and ingress of pollutants.
  • The back of the framing package can be sealed to afford further protection.
    A moisture resistant backing can be included if required.

The list below illustrates the type of damage that Conservation Framing provides protection against under “Normal Conditions” as specified by the Fine Art Trade Guild.

  • Wear and tear from direct physical forces.
  • Moisture / humidity
  • Pests (such as insects)
  • Moulds
  • Contaminants (atmospheric pollution)
  • Fading and damage from UV light
Fine Art Trade Guild - Normal Conditions

Normal Conditions Within the Guild standards means: out of direct sunlight, within a temperature range of 10-25°C and relative humidity between 40% and 60%

Note that no framing will provide protection indefinitely and all framed work of value should be checked by a professional framer every five years for any problems that may be starting. The environment that a frame is displayed in / stored in will affect the framing package over the years, and I can provide information about this when you collect your framed artwork.

Do you need the services of a Professional Conservator before your work is framed?

If the piece that you would like to have framed or re-framed is stained or damaged, we can discuss whether you would like to consider using the services of a professional conservator before having the work framed. I can put you in touch with the correct type of conservator during your framing consultation if you would like to have remedial, restoration or cleaning work done before I frame your artwork or object.

These are some of the reasons why you might want to use a conservator:

  • It is an old or historic piece that has been damaged over time through damp, mildew, physical forces or pests.
  • It has been framed a long time ago when framing materials were not as developed as they are now and there is staining / damage from acidification from the materials used.
  • It has been incorrectly framed in the past causing damage to the piece.

I have contacts for conservators who specialise in:

  • Paper
  • Photographs
  • Fine Art
  • Textiles

Please note that I put you in touch with the conservator directly for you to get the work done.  This would be a separate transaction directly between you and the conservator and not part of the framing service.

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