We use Conservation Matting and Framing

Conservation or museum quality standards are used, not only to preserve the prints in the best possible condition, but to prevent any future damage, or acid burning that can be caused by inappropriate matting and framing. These standards have been established by the Library of Congress, along with other nationally known galleries. By adhering to these high standards of excellence, you can be assured that your investment will be well preserved for many generations.

There are many products on the market that claim to be archival, yet there is a signifacant variance in the quality of materials available. A true conservation mat is designed to enhance the longevity of the print and must not contain any chemical impurities that will contaminate the paper. Only certain materials can completely protect the image from chemical, physical and environmental deterioration.

What is Conservation Matting and Framing?

Conservation matting and framing implies that only museum quality products are used. This means that only acid free and lignon free products are used in the matting and framing process. This includes the backing boards to which the prints are mounted with mulberry strips and rice starch, the top mat boards, and the lining of the frame. On the prints matted and framed through this Gallery, even the backing paper is acid free.

The backing board that is used is a molecular bonded board that offers the most advanced and effective protection for your artwork. The board contains the patented Micro Chamber technology, which is a combination of molecular traps and buffers within a paper structure that actively protects artwork from the ravages of air pollution and paper degradation.

The other matteboards used are museum quality boards offering acid and lignon free protection. This will prevent acid burns and staining that can occur if improper materials come into contact with the prints. There is an acid free barrier between the frame and the prints as well.

A conservation matte should always meet three basic requirements. First, it should not cause staining or fading of prints, nor accelerate the rate of deterioration inherent with any type of print. Second, the long-term physical stability of the matte board should be at least equal to that of the print. Third, the brightness and tone of the matte board should not change during its coexistence with the prints.

Conservation Glass

The glass used in these prints offers the highest UV protection available on the market. There is a 97-98% blockage of harmful UV rays that are common in most environments. This ensures that the prints don't fade due to exposure to normal environmental conditions.

Hinging the Prints

There are a variety of products offered on the market that serve as hinging devices. In our Gallery, we utilize only the Japanese Paper (including Mulberry, Kizukishi, Uda Thin, Sekishu White and Sekishu Natural) as hinging devices. These have been used for many generations and have proven to be a very safe and effective method of hinging. Rice starch is used as the bonding agent to adhere the prints to the backing board. In addition, Thymol, (a fungicide) is added to the rice starch to prevent any type of fungicidal growth or insect damage.

The Rice Starch method of hinging prints is completely reversable and will not damage the prints in any way. Therefore, if at some time in the future, you wish to have the prints mounted differently, or prefer to include them in a portfolio collection, they can be removed from the frames and mat boards without damage.

Documentation Included

Along with each of the prints sold through the gallery, there is documention as to the authenticity of the prints and the conservation standards to which the print has been matted and framed. This information is contained in a clear pocket mounted on the back of each print.

Matte Board Color Choices

There are many new products on the market, including colored matte boards that can safely be added to the conservation matting and framing process. In our Gallery, however, we generally utilize a black and cream colored matting scheme, since this tends to enhance the viewing pleasure of the prints. It is our goal to enhance the beauty of the print, and not focus on the matting and framing. In cases where the black and cream colors are not the most predominant color scheme in a print, we may use other colors that will compliment the print, without detracting from its beauty.