Conservation Framing

Conservation framing is preparing an item for display in a manner that preserves the item, keeping it as unaltered as possible while protecting it from degradation. Ideally, anything done to the artwork or object should be completely reversible, allowing the artwork to return to it's original condition prior to framing.

Conservation framing makes use of various materials and techniques depending on the piece to be framed. Most often, conservation framing involves conservation grade materials including rag boards (100% cotton, acid and lignin free boards), conservation matboard, Alphamat matboard (a brand name board manufactured by Nielsen and Bainbridge composed of alpha cellulose*, light-fast pigments, and Artcare MicroChamber Technology*), conservation grade glazing (glass or acrylic), conservation grade backing boards, and a variety of conservation mounting methods.
 
At M2 Gallery, we are proud to offer only conservation quality matboard including the Bainbridge Artcare line of matboard used in many museums today. We are also proud to use TruVue conservation clear glass as our standard for custom framing.



*Alpha cellulose - Plant, usually wood, pulp that has been purified, removing lignin and other potentially damaging substances, leaving an almost pure cellulose which is of neutral pH.

*MicroChamber Technology - Zeolites are little molecular traps (microchambers) that capture airborne pollutants and turn them into an inert substance. When manufactured into matboards, gasses that are released by aging wood frames or other acidic materials (sometimes from the artwork itself) will not be floating free to harm artwork. Whereas most framing materials that are conservation quality are more preventative, this material is preventative and proactive. Nielsen and Bainbridge has developed this technology and it is widely used in museum framing today.

Conservation framing techniques are more than just UV protecting glass. In a shadowbox display such as this, true conservation framing includes all materials used inside the frame including glass, mats, mounting boards and the way in which each object is mounted.

At M2 Gallery, we take pride in providing true conservation framing so that your cherished artwork or treasured heirlooms are displayed and preserved in the best manner possible.

  The Acid Free Misconception 

Many people who know very little about custom framing have at least heard the phrase "acid-free" and have been led to the conclusion that these materials are best for their artwork. While "acid-free" materials are better than acidic materials, there are some things people should know about the description "acid-free."

Technically, "acid-free" means material having a pH of 7 or higher. Cardboard and similar materials were used for many years in framing. These boards are highly acidic and cause severe damage to artwork over time (what is known as acid burn or acid transfer). Some regular matboards today are described simply as "acid-free" when actually the boards only have only an acid-free core, acid-free backing paper, and a buffering agent to neutralize the existing acids.

While these boards are better than nothing, the boards still contain lignin which over time results in a more acidic board. Also, these "acid-free" boards often have acid in the surface paper, which outgasses and often overwhelms the buffering agent over time.