Do's and Don'ts for Caring for your Artwork

Do:  Employ conservation framing for valuable artwork; both monetary and/or sentimental

Do:  Hang artwork in locations that offer protection from the damaging effects of heat,    moisture & Light

Do:  Clean the surface regularly with the proper cleaner (acrylic/Plexiglas requires special cleaner)

Do:  Check the age and condition of the matting occasionally for signs of deterioration, spotting, or yellowing caused by exposure to light, humidity, and temperature.  if you see signs of deterioration or are unsure of the condition of the matting, bring it in to us and we will be happy to inspect if for you.

Don't:  Spray the cleaner directly onto the surface-spray cleaner onto a soft cloth first, to avoid pooling and damage to the frame, mat and art.

Don't:  Hang valuable artwork on outside walls, over a usable fireplace, in bathrooms or in direct sunlight.

Hanging Your Artwork

Practice:  Measure out the amount of wall space you have to work with and work out your arrangement on the floor.

Composition:  consider your grouping as a single unit.

Space:  Your arrangement should hang closely together.  If  you have too much space between pictures, you lose the visual effect.

Order:  With the exception of a round grouping, hang pictures so that they form at least one horizontal and one vertical line.

Color and Texture Balance:  Pay attention to the color and texture when working out your arrangement.  keep the weight of your composition well distributed.

Create Visual Excitement:  Definitely mix and mingle pictures in different shapes and sizes, keeping the weight of the composition well distributed.

Accessories:  Don't forget to include lamps and wall sconces into your arrangement.

Scale:  Consider proper scale when decorating your walls.  Support large furniture with large wall hangings and small furniture with small wall hangings.  Hanging small pictures over a large sofa or large pictures over a small love seat will appear very awkward and disrupt the balance of your room.

Distance:  When hanging pictures above furniture, the rule of thumb is between 6 and 8 inches.  If not above furniture, hang your pictures at average eye-level.

Avoid Unwanted Nail Holes:  To hang the picture at your chosen height you will need to measure how far from the top of the picture the hanging wire will hit when hanging on a nail.  If the top of your picture should  hang 72" from the floor, and the hanging wire hits 4 inches below, your nail will have to be 68" from the floor centered with your picture.  (use a light pencil to mark the wall)

Hardware for Picture Hanging:  We will provide you with hardware at no additional charge with your custom framing order.  Based on your needs, we will select the best hardware option for your artwork and wall condition.

Strength and security:  Always use picture hangers for strength and security.  We recommend using two hangers per picture for strength, security and maintaining straight placement.

Heavy Artwork:  (Over-sized artwork and Over-sized mirrors)  Drywall:  For artwork up to 150lbs we recommend using 2 floreat hangers (75lbs) on the wall.  Two strap-hangers (or D-rings) should be attached to the artwork with no wire.  Strap hangers hook directly onto floreat hangers in the wall.  Weight is distributed between the hangers.

Boats, Mobile Homes and Commercial Use:  Use security hangers that anchor all corners of the frame.

Ceiling Moldings:  Many older homes have ceiling moldings from which you may hang framed art using "Molding Hooks" or S-hook hardware, decorative chain and cording.