Framing Terms

Acid Burn
	Yellowish-brown lines that appear on artwork that was not framed using conservation materials. This causes the artwork to discolor and become brittle.
Acid Free
	This general term is used to describe paper materials with a 7 pH, or very close to 7 pH. Acid-free materials are more permanent and less likely to damage or discolor over time. Our Bainbridge Alphamat Artcare collection of mat board is acid-free as well as our Archival Mounting Board and Plexi-glass. Below 6.5 pH or above 8.5 pH is not considered acid-free. See Conservation Framing.
Archival
	Describes the framing procedure where all materials are completely acid free. See Conservation Framing.
Adhesive Transfer Tape
	Used in mounting artwork, backing boards and similar materials where two adhesive surfaces are needed. (Mats to mats, dust cover to frame, etc.)
Beveled Edge
	A 45-degree cut at the inside edge of a mat board window. Exposes about 1/16" of the mat board core.
Conservation Framing
	Describes the framing procedure where all materials that come in contact with the artwork; mat board, mounting board, etc, are completely acid free. It is designed to minimize the deterioration of the artwork caused by exposure to the environment.
Corrugated Corners
	Protects the corners of a frame when in transit. Made from corrugated cardboard, our corners are adjustable to fit two positions, 3/4" and 1 3/8".
Double Mat
	Technique where the artwork is matted using two separate mat boards, one on top of the other. The amount of the bottom mat you see is determined by the offset.
Dust Cover
	Paper which is placed on the back of wood frames to protect artwork from dust. Usually made from Kraft paper.
Dust Cover Trimmer
	Handy tool used to trim the dust cover to the size of the frame easily.
Filmoplast P90 Tape
	Brand name tape used for hinging artwork. A self adhesive tape with a high tear resistance and is pH neutral.
Filmoplast P Tape
	Brand name tape used to repair torn paper or to hinge very thin or semi-transparent, lightweight artwork.
Filmoplast SH Tape
	Brand name tape used for strength. Ideal for hinging mat board to backing board.
Floating Artwork
	Matting technique where the mat board does not overlap the artwork. The artwork is adhered directly on the mat board with its edges exposed. It appears to "float" within the frame instead of having the mat board window covering its edges.
Foam Core
	Stiff, lightweight material used as a backing (mounting) board to give rigidity to the image. Foam makes up the center of the board with a layer of paper on its surfaces.
Foxing
	This reddish brown patches found on artwork that was not framed using conservation materials. This is caused by a combination of metallic salts, high humidity and high temperatures.
Frame Pair
	One frame pair is equal to two frame sections. Two pairs make one frame.
Hardware
	Describes the brackets, metal or plastic that are used to assemble a metal or wood frame. Metal Frame: 4-Threaded Angles with 2 screws inserted, 2- Hangers with screws inserted, 4-Backing angles, 2- Wall Protectors, 10-Spring Clips. Wood Frame: 10-Screws, 2-Loop Hangers, 8 Spring Clips, 4 ft. Hanging Wire, 2 Wall Protectors, 1 Saw Tooth Hanger, 4 Corner Inserts (unassembled frame only)
Hinging
	Procedure where a strip of Filmoplast P90 or SH tape is folded and attached to the artwork and then to the backing board or mat board. NOTE: As a rule you want to use a tape that is weaker than the artwork so that if the artwork is pulled the tape will tear, not the artwork.
Image Size
	This is the actual measurement of your picture. Usually this represents the window size of the mat board.
Linen Tape (Filmoplast SH)
	Tape containing a linen surface with an adhesive backing. Often use in hinging artwork.
Linen Liner
	An inner frame that is wrapped in a white or natural colored linen material. Most commonly use within a larger frame to offset the frame from the artwork.
Mat Board
	A colored paperboard material used to create a transition from the picture to the frame. We offer three different mat collections: Crescent Berkshire, Crescent Select and Bainbridge Alpharag. The 4-ply Berkshire line is perfect for general framing when a 100% acid free material is not needed. The Select line is 100% acid free for conservation framing and is available as 4-ply and 6-ply. Alpharag is also 100% acid free, 4-ply mat that comes with a solid color through to the core. A full sheet of mat board is 32”x40”.
Mat Board Core
	The center area of mat board. Comes in various thickness, including 4-ply.
Mat Board Cutter
	A tool use to cut windows in mat board. We offer various mat cutters for different skill levels.
Mat Board Offset
	The reveal of the bottom mat board when one mat window is stacked on top of another. A standard offset between the top and bottom mat is 1/4".
Mounting Board
	Backing material which is used to support the artwork. We have three types of mounting board; Standard, which is used for general framing, Archival, which we recommended for conservation/archival framing, and Self-Adhesive. All come with a foam core and paper surfaces.
Offset
	The reveal of the bottom mat board when one mat window is stacked on top of another. A typical offset between the top and bottom mat is 1/4".
Plexi-glass
	Acrylic material used in place of glass. It is distortion free, light weight and shatter resistant. Standard and UV Plexi-glass are available. We recommend UV plexi-glass for conservation framing.
Profile
	The cross section illustration which displays the Height (H), Width (W), and Rabbet (R) of the frame, giving you a better understanding of its size. All of the profiles shown on our site are in scale with each other.
Rabbet
	The inner channel of a frame which holds the picture and any framing materials.
Spacer
	Often made from foam core or mat board, it creates an area between the plexi-glass and the picture. Shadow Box frames can be made using spacers.
Window
	The opening in a mat board to view the picture underneath.