PRINTING
Giclee Fine Art Print
Giclee is a French term meaning “to spray”, referring to how an inkjet printer works and how giclee prints are usually produced. These large format inkjet printers use small spraying devices that can both match colour and apply ink precisely, giving artists a high-quality print of their original art. Giclee print on Hahnemühle’s authentic Fine Art paper is regarded as top of the line. It is often used for exhibitions and limited-edition archival art prints.
C-type Print
Considered the highest-quality printing for serious photographers. Silver-based Digital C-type prints are archival photographic prints
Direct Print on Aluminium Dibond
Aluminium Dibond is a composite material. It is 3 mm (1/8 in.) thick and has 3 layers. Two aluminium layers with a platinum white look sandwich a black polyethylene core. The lateral face is black. The matte, reflection-free print is made using a state-of-the-art, 7-colour printing method. White and brighter parts of the image have a subtle sheen. With the aluminium Dibond backing, this print combines high picture quality and great durability. Ready to hang with aluminium rails attached to the back included
Photoprint under acrylic glass
Photoprint printed on Fuji Crystal DP II paper, bonded to a stable aluminium dibond backing (two aluminium layers with a platinum white look sandwich a black polyethylene core) and 2mm acrylic glass in front. Ready to hang with aluminium rails attached to the back included
Framing and mounting
All a bit confusing? A few terms are explained below:
Window mount - the artwork sits behind the mount, viewed through the ‘window’
Float mount - the artwork is fixed on to the backing board with the edges exposed - good for showing the rough edges of rag papers, for example the cyanotypes
Float mount - showing the exposed edge
Pedestal mount - the artwork is bonded to a backing board with a spacer of thicker mount board behind. This makes it appear to float in the frame. Good for images where to float works with the concept, like this one: ‘Birds in flight’
Float mount to the backing board within a window mount - the artwork is fixed on to the backing board with the edges exposed, with a space between the paper edge and the window mount. Good for larger cyanotypes or a more refined look than a simple float mount
Float mount to the backing board within a window mount - another example
Tray frame, for paintings on canvas or timber panels. The artwork is fixed with a space between the art and the frame. The frame sits slightly proud of the artwork to protect it a bit when in transit
St Ives style frame - great for giving a painting more presence in terms of size on the wall. The frame profile sits in front of the artwork so hides a few mm off the edges.
St Ives style frame with a shadow gap between the artwork and the framing profile. - Great for giving a painting bigger presence on the wall, where you don’t want to loose any width/height off the artwork
There’s so many options of framing and mounts. Visit your local framer if you want something a bit different
There’s so many options of framing and mounts. Visit your local framer if you want something a bit different
It’s worth thinking about your choice of glass. It’s always better to use low reflective glass wherever the artwork is intended for, but it’s essential to minimise reflections if you intend to hang glass framed artwork opposite a window. You could also consider minimising UV light to drawings intended to be hung in a bright daylight space to prevent yellowing of the paper. Your framer will have lots of glass options
Live locally? (I’m in Twickenham, London)
For larger orders I can arrange framing for you through my local framer. I charge you the price they would charge you. They give me a small artist’s discount to allow for my time. You organise pick up
Planning to frame it yourself?
It’s always best to get something framed by a professional but if you’re planning on framing artwork yourself here’s a few tips:
Be careful not to damage the artwork when handling it. Paper is fragile and very easily creased. Charcoal drawings are also never really fixed no matter how much they are sprayed, so they are very easy to smudge.
Always use a window mount for charcoal drawings - the paper needs to be separated from the glass to avoid transfer of charcoal dust.
Always use acid free materials
Always use an acid free mount board between your artwork and the backing board of the frame (which may not be acid free). Note not all high street frames allow space for the backing board too, Nielsen Frames generally allow for the additional depth of mounts in their designs.
Only fix the artwork at the top - paper, like many materials, can expand and contract slightly and this allows it to do so. Only use acid free tape.