What Is a Shadow Box Frame? 

A shadow box frame is not your typical frame; it's a three-dimensional display case designed to showcase objects, collectibles, and memorabilia. Unlike traditional flat frames, a shadow box frame has depth, allowing you to create visually captivating arrangements by positioning items at various depths within the frame. The result is a captivating display that draws the viewer in, making it ideal for preserving and celebrating items with sentimental value.

The Magic of Depth 

One of the primary reasons why shadow box frames are so beloved is their ability to create depth and dimension within a single frame. This unique feature allows you to place multiple objects or layers within the frame, providing a three-dimensional effect that captivates the viewer. Whether you're displaying a collection of seashells, medals, or a combination of photos and memorabilia, the depth of a shadow box frame adds a sense of drama and intrigue to your display.

Versatile and Customizable

Another remarkable aspect of shadow box frames is their versatility. These frames are highly customizable, making them suitable for a wide range of items and occasions. At Frame Masters, with our extensive experience since 1969, we understand the importance of tailoring your frame to your specific needs. You can choose the size, shape, and depth of the frame, as well as select from various materials, including wood, metal, or acrylic. Additionally, our experts can guide you in choosing different matting and background options to complement your items and personal style.

Preserving Memories

Shadow box frames are often used to preserve and display cherished memories. Whether it's a wedding bouquet, a child's first pair of shoes, or a collection of travel souvenirs, these frames offer a protective environment to safeguard your keepsakes from dust, moisture, and physical damage. This preservation aspect is vital for ensuring that your precious items remain in excellent condition for generations to come. 

Aesthetic Appeal

Beyond their practicality, shadow box frames are aesthetically pleasing and can become a stunning piece of decor in any space. The combination of depth, arrangement, and choice of frame materials can transform your keepsakes into captivating focal points. Whether you want to hang it on a wall or display it on a shelf, a well-crafted shadow box frame can elevate the overall look and feel of your room. 

Overall, shadow box frames are a true masterpiece. They offer a unique and visually engaging way to preserve and display your most treasured items and memories. The depth, versatility, and aesthetic appeal of shadow box frames make them a top choice for anyone looking to turn their cherished objects into works of art. At Frame Masters, a trusted name in the industry since 1969, we are dedicated to helping you create these stunning showcases, ensuring your precious memories are preserved and celebrated for years to come. With our decades of expertise, we guarantee that your shadow box frame will be a true masterpiece, worthy of your most cherished keepsakes.

Plexiglass, also known as Acrylic Glass, has received its share of bad publicity, due to cheap imported materials during the past 50 years. However, with the emergence of new technology we now have a superior competitor to Glass.

It is fabricated in two different ways: It is either Extruded or Cast. Cast Plexi glass is superior and a little more costly than Extruded. Both varieties are available in various thicknesses.

Plexiglass is significantly more durable than Glass and is the ideal choice if you are considering transporting/moving your picture frames.

It is the only choice when you are framing an oversized art. Picture framing glass is only available in limited sizes. Cutting and handling a large piece of glass can not only be dangerous, but it is also very challenging. It can be a little lighter than glass depending on its thickness.

Acrylic is transparent and offers excellent Optical Clarity. Glass has a green tinge. Manufacturers have also managed to create a product that is Abrasion Resistance to a varying degree. Obviously, you get what you paid for!

Plexiglass is available with up to 99% UV-filtering properties, that safeguards your valuable pieces from harmful ultraviolet radiation. This feature makes it an excellent choice for framing artwork that will be displayed in well-lit areas. We recommend that you should never display any valuable art under direct sunlight. The heat created within the frame will almost certainly damage your treasured art.

Old Non-Glare option is still available. You can even purchase one which filters out 99% of the U.V. lights. The main drawback is the fuzziness. It distorts light just like it’s glass version.

Museum Plexiglass offers valuable features including 99% U.V. Filtration, Clear Anti-Reflective (without fuzziness), Anti- Static (perfect for framing Pastels), Abrasion Resistance, and Shatter Resistance. It is the perfect choice for investment art, or irreplaceable works of art.

Currently there are a few manufacturers offering this product, with “Tru Vue” being the pioneer and offers Museum Plexiglass under the brand name of “Optium Museum Acrylic.”

Plexiglass can be cut to any size, bent, shaped or polished, allowing for greater design flexibility. It can be engraved or etched. It is available in various colors and finishes, including glossy, matte, and non-glare.

Plexi Boxes are fabricated in various shapes to incase the art.

Plexi Sandwiches are used when we sandwich the art between 2 sheets.

Pedestals are made to prop up the object on a stand.

Display boxes….. are amongst some of the most popular varieties that lend themselves for framing/displaying objects as well as other art forms that require a more frameless and modern framing style.

Regular Plexiglass is less prone to smudges and fingerprints. It can be cleaned with regular glass cleaners. Specially formulated acrylic cleaning products are also widely available. Always choose a non-Ammonia glass/Plexiglass cleaner whenever you are cleaning U.V. Plexiglass or Optium. Irrespective of what king of cleaner you choose, always use soft, non-abrasive cloths to prevent scratching the surface. The same goes with your eyeglasses, especially if the lenses are U.V. and or Non-glare coated.

Picture framing glass is an essential component of custom picture framing as they protect the artwork or photo being displayed. Choosing the right glass can make a significant difference in preserving and showcasing artwork. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of picture-framing glass available and their unique properties.

Regular Glass is the least costly option for picture framing. While it provides basic protection for the artwork, it does not offer UV protection. Regular glass also reflects light, which can be a distraction, especially if you are dealing with a large picture frame.

The Non-Glare Glass was created over 30 years ago to reduce glare due to its etched surface. However, it cannot be used in shadow-boxed frames since the amount of fuzziness or frosted look increases as you separate, float, or lift this type of glass over the art. The market is phasing out old non-glare glass since there are better, albeit more costly, options available.

UV-Filtering Glass blocks up to 99% of UV light. U.V. gradually fades and discolors artwork over time. Ultraviolet light attacks the blue and green colors in your art first. If you need your art preserved, this is the most economical choice. To the untrained eye, U.V. glass looks the same as regular glass with glare.

Museum Glass offers up to 99% UV filtration, maximum clarity, and is non-reflective. It reduces glare significantly, making it ideal for showcasing fine art, valuable photos, and historical documents. It is the best product in picture framing glass that technology is offering us today.

When selecting picture-framing glass, it is important to consider whether you need the U.V. protection and/or the non-reflective aspect, to enhance the overall aesthetic of the artwork. While regular glass may be suitable for casual or temporary displays, valuable or sentimental artwork should be protected at least with UV-protective or museum glass. If your framed art is facing a window, you will not be able to enjoy your art as much, unless you opt for a nonglare or a museum glass.

Our philosophy is:

If your art is valuable, then make sure you chose the best option to archivally preserve it. Stay focused on your needs and opt for preservation rather than a fancy frame if you have a limit to the budget. Restoration costs are exorbitant! Do not get confused or get distracted by various pricing points.

Avoid using glass in combination with metal frames.

If you are shipping your framed art, planning to move a lot, planning to display a large piece in a common-public area or have little ones at home who play ball indoors, you may want to consider Plexi Glass options. We will discuss various types of Plexi Glass in our next blog. 

Picture frame gilding is an art form that has been around for centuries. It is the process of applying a thin layer of gold leaf or gold paint to a frame to enhance its beauty and value. Gilded picture frames are often seen in art galleries, museums, and stately homes, but they can also be found in private homes and offices. In this blog, we will explore the art of picture frame gilding and its history. 

The art of gilding frames dates to ancient Egypt, where gold was used to decorate the tombs of pharaohs. The Greeks and Romans also used gold to embellish their art and architecture. However, it was during the Renaissance period that picture frame gilding became popular in Europe. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael used gilded frames to showcase their paintings and give them a sense of grandeur.

Picture frame gilding involves several steps, including preparing the frame, applying the gold leaf or gold paint, and burnishing or finishing the surface. The first step is to prepare the frame by sanding it down and applying a layer of gesso, which is a white primer made from glue and chalk. This creates a smooth and even surface for the gold to adhere to.

Next, the gold leaf or gold paint is applied to the frame. Gold leaf is made by hammering gold into thin sheets, which are then cut into small squares or rectangles. The gold leaf is then applied to the frame using a special adhesive. Gold paint, on the other hand, is a liquid paint that contains small particles of gold. It can be applied with a brush or spray gun. 

After the gold has been applied, the frame is left to dry. Once the gold is dry, the surface is burnished or polished to create a smooth and reflective finish. Burnishing can be done with a burnishing tool or a soft cloth.

Picture frame gilding can be done in several different styles, including water gilding, oil gilding, and patina gilding. Water gilding involves applying gold leaf to a surface that has been coated with a layer of gesso and bole, which is a red or yellow clay-like substance. The gold leaf is then burnished to create a shiny, reflective surface. Oil gilding, on the other hand, involves applying gold paint to a surface that has been coated with a layer of oil-based adhesive. Patina gilding involves applying a layer of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface that has been treated with a patina solution, which gives the surface an aged or antique look. 

Overall, picture frame gilding is an art form that has been used for centuries to enhance the beauty and value of art and decorative objects. The process involves several steps, including preparing the surface, applying the gold, and burnishing or finishing the surface. Picture frame gilding can be done in several different styles, each with its own unique look and feel. Whether you are a collector, artist, or decorator, gilded picture frames are a beautiful and timeless addition to any home or office.

So you are thinking of custom framing something special? You have some apprehensions about how to go about it! Which frame shop to choose? How it should be framed? What it should cost, and is it going to be within my budget?

Unless you have established a good relationship with a framing establishment All these and many other concerns are shared by almost everyone. So don't worry! Keep reading and maybe some of the following will help you in your journey.

Where to frame?

You obviously prefer to go to a local framer. However, this does not always work for everybody.

Not favorable reviews, not enough experience, and limited choice of framing options will almost always persuade you to look a little further.

Experience shouts loud

Years in business is a strong positive point for a small framing company but as a rule, it doesn't work for a chain shop. Chain retailers do have a rather large staff turnover, so continuity can be an issue if you are custom framing on a regular basis. If you can find one with a stable staff it is worth a visit. However, most of these large chain stores will not be able to handle valuable pieces of art or big picture frames. So be aware!

Reviews!

I am sure that most people can read between the lines of the reviews when you are deciding to choose a vendor. Genuine reviews are normally well written and they sound sincere and you can tell it is well thought of.

Choice is power

When you walk into a framing gallery and you see a large showroom filled to the brim with corner samples and framing examples, don't get scared. It does not necessarily mean that you are in an expensive outfit! With most framing projects there is more than one way to skin the cat. Therefore more choice means opportunities to frame in a different way you did not envisage or scale up or down to a different budget. The choice is Power.

Custom Frames

Some shops can still offer the real McCoy! Custom profiles, Custom stain, Gilding services, and oversize frames…..you name it …. For a Great saving potential: try and find one that actually manufactures their own frames rather than collecting orders from other vendors.

Which way should I go?

There are many options to frame a piece. Make your decision based on the preservation of your art (If it is an investment), appropriate style and design, and your budget. Try and keep away from “flash in the pants.” Unless you are framing something promotional for the day or that season. Most framing jobs will hang on someone's walls for many months if not years so it has to pass the test of time.

How do I keep within my budget?

Some factors that could affect the price are the frame moulding quality and finish, archival materials, and techniques.

If you are filling a space on a large wall and your aim is to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look at a reasonable cost, there is no need to pay for Archival quality!

On the other hand, if you have a valuable piece of art with a limited budget, try to opt for archival matting, backing, and glass over an expensive frame. You should always try and preserve the value and the integrity of your investment first. Sentimental art or objects follow the same rule.

All good decisions require time

Please allow plenty of time so you are not rushed in making a decision you will be living with for a long time. Extra time is also needed if another customer is already being served. Making appointments is a good idea but it doesn't always work.

Ask a friend or someone who knows you to be available and text them the options you are considering. It is always nice to be reassured if you are sitting on the wall.

Never be pressured on choosing any options in front of you. Mull it over and ask pertinent questions. 

Am I spending too much?

In most cases, there is an option to fit your budget. However, it may take a little more time to search within the frame archives or to reconsider the design or materials used.

However, for most framing projects, the price is not the most important factor. You have to keep reminding yourself of the fact that “if it is worth framing, it is worth framing well.” At the end of the day, “it has to look good” and give you the buzzzz! It is worth a few dollars more!

When you really put it in perspective We spend a huge amount of money dining out in a year. No one even remembers what we eat or where we dined last week! It is true that we are socializing and that is a very important aspect of our personal and professional careers. However, an ascetically pleasing framed art is also a powerful statement that influences everyone who comes to our space.

Now you are ready for picture frames. If you still have questions regarding picture frames or would like to see what we offer, please feel free to contact us at design@framemasters1969.com.