If you want to continue to enjoy your photo and picture frame for years, it’s important to know how to protect it from permanent damage.Although there are many ways you can ruin your photo and picture frame, there are four simple things you can do to keep your picture frame looking good for years.Many people don’t realize how easy it is to protect your pictures until it’s sadly too late. With these few important tips you can keep your frame and picture looking good for years.

Avoid Your Picture Frame From Getting Direct Sunlight

We all know the kind of damage the sun can do to your skin and your photos are no different.The sun’s UV rays can badly damage your photos so decrease the risk of fading and damage by preventing your frames from getting direct sunlight.

If it’s impossible for you to keep your picture frame away from direct sunlight, there are a few things you can do. The first thing would be to make a copy of your special photo so if the picture is damaged by sunlight you still have a good photo.The second thing you should do is use UV glass or UV acrylic which will dramatically reduce the UV exposure on your photo.Although your photo will be protected, your picture frame will still likely fade in the direct sunlight. Some of the frames most sensitive to fading are ones made out of natural materials like fabric, paper and wood picture frames. You should also be careful with stained or colored frames like red, green or blue picture frames.

Avoid Moisture

We all know about moisture damage caused by flooding, but have you considered damage caused by steam?Photos and picture frames can be badly damaged by this type of moisture. Be sure to avoid hanging your picture frames next to the kitchen sink or in a bathroom where it can get hot and steamy. If you choose to display pictures in these locations, be sure you have extra copies of your photos made and choose a frame that won’t get damaged by moisture. The best frames for moist areas are metal picture frames that are made out of aluminum and won’t rust.

Be cautious of picture frames with a sealed back.  A sealed back frame is either taped closed or has a paper glued to the back of the frame to protect it and give it a professional finish. A sealed back on a frame does not protect your photo but instead can damage it by trapping moisture inside.Moisture is naturally found in the air in the form of humidity.When the temperature outside the picture frame is different from that on the inside of the frame, moisture builds. If there is a sealed back on your picture frame, there is no way for the moisture to escape so it’s absorbed by your photo.

If you live in a climate with high humidity, you should consider getting some spacers or mats so your pictures will never get stuck to the glass.When a photo has consistent contact with the glass in high humidity, the photo can stick to the glass and become damaged. Spacers or mats keep the glass from resting on the picture and gives the picture some room to breathe.

Use Caution with Spray Cleaners

This may sound like an obvious suggestion, but there are many people who do not realize the damage that can be done to their photos by spraying glass cleaner on their picture frame glass.Anytime you’re planning to use a spray cleaner to clean your picture frame, always remove the photo first before cleaning. The sprayed liquid can seep under the glass and permanently stain your picture. If you don’t want to take the time to remove the picture, use a cloth with the cleaner instead of spraying the cleaner directly onto the glass.

More Frame Care Tips

Another tip to avoid damaging your picture frames is to never stack your frames without properly protecting them. If you are moving or need to store your frames, be sure to protect them with bubble wrap or thick towels.  Metal and wood picture frames are difficult to repair, so take extra precautions to properly protect them when storing.

By remembering these tips you can protect your picture frames and special photos so you’ll never have the disappointment of ruining something you love. Keep these tips in mind and you will have picture frames that retain their beauty and look good for many years.

Knowing the difference between custom frames and ready made picture frames is important when you’re shopping for frames.  Having a good understanding of these two types of frames will help you get the right frame without spending more than you want.  So, what is the difference between ready made frames and custom frames?

A ready made picture frame is just that- one that is ready to be used directly out of the box.  Manufacturers of ready made picture frames assemble and package them so all you need to do is open the box, insert your picture and it’s ready to be displayed.

Ready made frames usually come in standard sizes. You can find ready made frames for photos, small keepsakes, standard sized art work and important documents like diplomas. Ready made frames are complete when assembled. They include glass, backing and some hardware for either hanging on a wall or for displaying on a table. Not all ready made frames include an easel back stand or frame hardware for hanging.  Ask your frame retailer to make sure you have everything you need to display your framed picture.

There are many different frame retailers that offer ready made frames online and in stores. With so much selection you should always be able to find exactly what you want.

Custom picture frames, on the other hand, give you more options than ready made frames. Custom picture frames are measured, cut and put together specially for you. If your framed item is not a standard size, or if you need a unique depth or dimension for your artwork or keepsakes, a custom frame is the answer.  With a custom frame, you can choose the type of protective surface you want, whether glass or acrylic with a UV coating. 

Custom frames allow you to create a look that is your own, from framing material to mats to the layout of your picture or artwork. Some custom framers refer to these frames as “ready made” because they’re all ready to be hung when you get them. However, if they’re hand assembled they’re custom frames not ready made frames.

Which type of picture frame is best?

The answer to that question depends upon what you plan to frame. Original artwork is best suited to a custom picture frame since size sizes are usually non-standard and can vary wildly. A custom wood picture frame can accommodate a wide range of thicknesses and unique dimensions. There are many options to choose from with custom frames so you have a lot of flexibility to find a frame that goes well with your artwork.

Something to consider is that ready made picture frames are usually a lot less expensive. Custom frames are created and assembled by hand which adds to the cost of your framing project.

So to choose between a ready made frame and a custom picture frame you should ask yourself a few questions.

Is it a standard picture size? If it’s a standard size then you’ll have lots of options with ready made frames. Ready made picture frames come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, materials and sizes. You can find frames in everything from wood and metal to gold leaf, sterling and basic black picture frames. If you’re looking for a nice looking frame without spending a lot, a ready made frame is your best choice.

If you have a picture that doesn’t quite fit into a ready made frame, you can use a ready made mat insert to frame your picture and give it a custom look without the cost of a custom made frame.

However, as convenient and economical as ready made frames are, sometimes you need a custom size or look for your photo or artwork. If you have a unique piece of artwork, whether it’s a standard size or not, you may want the extra choices that a custom picture frame offers to best showcase your piece.

Once you have determined whether a custom frame or ready made frame best suits your framing needs, you are ready to start shopping for your frame. No matter what type of frame you decide on, you’ll know the difference between these two types of frames so you’ll always get exactly what you want.