Long Term Frame Maintenance
The biggest perk of using high quality materials in anything is that they are designed from the ground up to last you longer. It’s the attitude we have towards our custom framing, and the same attitude we have to the Artefact range here.
The best part of having a standard frame made from those same materials is that when they do get damaged, they are designed so you can replace any one element whilst reusing the rest. Simply pop into your local picture framer (us if you’re in Auckland!) and they can easily swap something out instead of trashing the entire frame and starting again. This is the key to long term use, and is another of the many small steps we should all be taking to minimise the amount of things heading to landfill.
So long as you care for it properly, there are lots of options available to you:
Clean your frame regularly: We’ve written a whole other article on how to properly clean your frames which you can check out HERE. Cleaning your frames will help ensure they look great for longer. The last thing you want is dust and grime building up.
Get a fresh mat board: Over time, the mat may get dented or grubby if you’re changing out the prints regularly, or maybe you want to get a different colour to suit a specific print. So long as you’ve cared for the frame itself, you can easily just get the mat replaced at any picture framer around the country and it will look fresh and new.
This will cost anywhere between $15 and $80 depending on the size of the frame and the pricing of your local picture framer. Some may even be able to cut it while you wait!
Always bring the frame and original mat with you so they can ensure they cut the perfect size.
Be sure to ask for an archival mat (just like what we give you). Most custom picture framers will use them as a default, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
Put on a fresh hanging system: Sometimes it can be worth replacing the hangers on the back after a long time (we’re talking well over 10 years here) just to ensure everything is fresh and will keep your frame safely on the wall.
Move your d-rings: If you unscrew your d-rings every time you change your print, you may want to put in fresh holes occasionally to ensure the d-rings are firmly attached. To ensure the wood doesn’t split, pilot the holes before putting in the screws, and make sure the new holes are at least 10mm away from the existing ones.
It’s easy to get new glass: If you scratch up or break the glass, this is easily replaced so long as everything else is undamaged. Please DO NOT remove the glass yourself. Our frames are designed so the glass doesn’t rattle around, and it will not fit out over the pins in the frame as a result. The glass will break if you force it out. Leave this to a professional framer, who will remove the pins and replace them for you after the new glass has gone in.
A damaged frame is not a death sentence! If the frame has been damaged, do not panic! Sometimes they can be repaired. Take it to your local framer (or us if you are Auckland based) and see what the options are. If the damage is too severe, they can easily cut a new frame for you and put it back together utilising the existing glass and boards. Also, ask your framer if they donate their old frames. Depending on the condition, we often save them for artists to come and re-use when they’re trying to work to a budget.
Feel free to get in touch with us any time if you have a question about how to keep your frame nice and clean, or if you live locally and want to have a chat in person feel free to drop by any time! You can find our contact details HERE.