Matting Guidelines
These are the basic bullet points outlined in How to talk to your framer:
- Use “Museum Board” or archival, 100% rag, lignin free mat board for both the window and back mat
- Mount your artwork using photo corners or edge strips, if possible
- If hinges are desired/needed, have a conservator apply them using proper materials such as Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.
- Glaze with UV filtering plexiglass rather than glass.
- Hang your art with proper wiring and D-rings.
Should I hang it?
Art was meant to be seen and enjoyed but, of course, the act of displaying our art also opens it up to the hazards of light exposure, exposure to fluctuating temperature and humidity and to mechanical damage. Take the steps necessary to minimize these dangers and there is no reason you shouldn’t display your art.
Proper framing will protect your art from the worst of light exposure. A properly sealed window mat and frame will create a safe and stable microclimate that will protect from minor temperature and humidity changes. Safe and strong hangers and plexiglas glazing will protect from impact.
Taking this a step further, you should consider hanging your art where it will not be in direct sunlight. Avoid exterior walls which can transfer cold, heat and moisture. Also avoid walls with plumbing running through them or which are directly below areas of plumbing such as bathrooms, just in case of leaks.
And for artwork that is especially valuable or vulnerable to light damage you may want to do what museums do: rotate your art on and off exhibit.
The following types of artwork are the most vulnerable to light and should be given careful attention: watercolors (including hand colored lithographs); hand written documents (look for the brown colored iron gall ink); color photographs (the image material in these is dye rather than pigment); and Japanese woodblock prints.
How do I store it?
Your photographs and your art on paper and parchment should be surrounded by archival materials whether hanging in a frame or sitting in storage.
When your artwork is in storage, simple rules apply:
- Store your art in a folder large enough to provide a margin around the edges of your art that is at least a centimeter.
- Either put each piece of art in a separate folder or protect each item from rubbing against the others by interleaving with archival paper.
- Three dimensional objects should be stored in boxes that fit the object. If there is a wide margin around the object, place a spacer there to keep the object from sliding around.
- Folders should be stored flat in a box or in a drawer. This will cut down on light exposure.
- Artwork should be stored in a location that provides stable temperature and humidity year round. This, unfortunately, means that most basements and attics are out unless they have been installed with a proper HVAC system.
