Protecting Your Artwork Investment

Paper Art & Document Conservation

Protecting Your Artwork Investment - Paper Art & Documents

Don't put off taking steps to protect your art investment. Immediately after purchasing is the time to start. If it came to you in an archival art sleeve - great. Just keep in mind that you should try to replace the art sleeve approximately every year.

What are the other options?

FRAMING and MATTING

If you plan to frame it, there are a lot of inexpensive mat and frame sets ready to go in popular sizes in your local craft and hobby store, and even your local discount store or Ebay. Here is a situation where the phrase "you get what you pay for" really is true. Yes, it's very inexpensive to go this route, but in the end, your art isn't as well protected as it could be.  If the frame and mat set is made in China, if it says "Acid Free" or "Lignen Free" that may not really mean it is truly an acid free or lignin free product. That is not to say that the companies are intentionally lying, but just that often due to a lack of knowledge of English, they may just copy USA Made products' wording and packaging.

If you are not bothered that the original artwork could (and probably will) be damaged by using lower quality products, then go ahead. I have done this for some items myself. You will spend in the area of $20 and up.

If you really care about the artwork but you just can't spend the $150 or more that professional framing will cost, then consider buying the cheap frame but get a new mat cut - avoiding the mat included in the frame and mat package. Getting a custom mat cut at the frame shop usually runs from $5-$10 but depends on the type of matting material you desire. Ask for 'Conservation Grade' materials. Most professional frame shops do use this type but it's good to ask to be sure.