Glossary

A

• Acid-Free - Acid-free materials are essential in picture framing to ensure the long-term protection and preservation of artwork. When materials like mat boards, backing boards, and mounts contain acids, they can cause yellowing, fading, and deterioration of the artwork over time. Acid-free materials are specially manufactured to eliminate these harmful acids, preventing damage such as paper degradation, ink discoloration, or canvas deterioration. Common acid-free materials used in picture framing include pH-neutral boards and conservation-quality papers that help maintain the integrity of the artwork, ensuring it stays in optimal condition for years or even centuries. Using acid-free materials is crucial for preserving valuable or sentimental works, making it a standard in high-quality framing practices. 

• Acid-Neutral (pH-neutral) refers to materials that have a pH value close to 7, which is considered neutral on the pH scale that ranges from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline). Many materials used in picture framing, such as mount boards, cardboard, and backing boards, are naturally acidic, which can degrade artwork over time. Cheaper boards may still contain this acidity. pH-balanced (conservation) boards are treated to neutralize acidity and reduce the risk of damage to framed pieces. For the highest level of acid protection, cotton boards are an excellent choice, as they maintain a stable pH closer to 7, providing optimal preservation for artwork.

• Acrylic Glazing - Acrylic glazing is a popular alternative to traditional glass in picture framing, offering a lightweight and shatter-resistant option for protecting artwork. Made from a clear, durable plastic material, acrylic provides similar clarity and transparency to glass but is much less prone to breaking or cracking, making it ideal for framing larger or delicate pieces. It also offers UV-protection options, which can help prevent fading and deterioration of artwork over time when exposed to sunlight. Acrylic glazing is available in various finishes, including clear, non-reflective, and anti-glare, catering to different framing needs and preferences. While slightly more prone to scratching than glass, acrylic glazing is a favoured choice for environments where safety and durability are a priority, such as in galleries, museums, or homes with children or pets.

• Alpha Cellulose Mat Board - Is a high-quality, archival material commonly used in picture framing to protect and preserve artwork, photographs, and documents. Made from purified wood pulp, alpha cellulose is the purest form of cellulose, offering excellent stability, durability, and resistance to deterioration over time. Alpha cellulose boards are acid-free and lignin-free, which prevents yellowing and acid migration that can damage artwork. They meet conservation standards,  the smooth, clean surface and core of alpha cellulose mat board also provide an elegant presentation, making it both a protective and aesthetic choice in professional framing. 

• Antons Mouldings - Is a well-known Australian manufacturer and supplier of high-quality moulding materials used in picture framing. They offer a wide range of framing options, including a variety of frame profiles, finishes, and textures, to suit both traditional and contemporary framing styles. Antons Mouldings is renowned for its attention to detail and craftsmanship, producing mouldings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and suitable for a variety of artworks and photographs. Their products include wood, metal, and composite frames, available in a spectrum of colors and styles, allowing framers and artists to select the perfect frame to complement the artwork. Many picture framers prefer using Antons Mouldings for its reliable quality and versatility, helping them create custom frames that enhance and protect the art they are presenting. 

• Archival - Refers to the use of materials and techniques designed to protect and preserve artwork, photographs, and documents for long-term storage. Archival materials are acid-free, lignin-free, and pH-neutral, ensuring they won't cause deterioration or damage to the framed pieces over time. This includes using conservation-quality mat boards, backing boards, and glazing options like UV-protective glass or acrylic, which safeguard the artwork from harmful environmental factors such as light, moisture, and pollutants. Archival framing is essential not only for display but also for proper storage, ensuring that valuable or irreplaceable items remain in pristine condition when stored away. Whether in a climate-controlled environment or carefully packed for safekeeping, archival materials provide the necessary protection to prevent yellowing, fading, or structural degradation, keeping artwork safe for generations to come. 

B

• Backing Board - A backing board in picture framing is an essential component that provides support and protection to the artwork or photograph inside the frame. Positioned directly behind the artwork, the backing board helps to keep the piece flat and secure, preventing it from warping or bending over time. It also acts as a barrier against dust, dirt, and environmental pollutants, which could damage the artwork. Typically made from acid-free materials to avoid deterioration or discolouration, a good quality backing board is crucial for the longevity and preservation of framed pieces. Additionally, it adds structural stability to the frame, ensuring the artwork remains beautifully displayed and well-protected. 

• Bevel - Refers to the angled edge cut on the mat board or sometimes on the frame itself, which adds depth and visual interest to the presentation of the artwork. This sloped edge creates a subtle shadow effect around the picture, helping to draw the viewer’s eye inward toward the artwork. Bevels can vary in width and angle, allowing framers to customize the look to complement the piece and the frame style. Besides enhancing aesthetics, a bevel also helps create a smooth transition between the artwork and the mat or frame, contributing to a polished and professional finish. 

• Bleed - the term "bleed" refers to the portion of an image or artwork that extends beyond the final trimmed edge of the mat or frame, allowing for slight overlap or cropping during the framing process. This ensures that no unwanted white borders or gaps appear around the artwork once it is mounted and framed. Bleeding is especially important for prints, photographs, or digital artwork, where the image may extend to the very edge. By allowing for a bleed, framers can achieve a seamless, clean look that fully covers the frame’s opening, giving the artwork a professional and polished appearance.

C

• Conservation Framing - Conservation framing is a specialised approach in picture framing designed to protect artwork from environmental damage and ensure its long-term preservation. This method uses archival-quality materials, such as acid-free mats, backing boards, and UV-protective glass, to prevent deterioration caused by exposure to light, humidity, and pollutants. The materials chosen are intended to be chemically inert, ensuring they don't react with or degrade the artwork over time. Conservation framing is particularly important for valuable or delicate pieces, like historical documents, fine art, or photographs, as it helps preserve their integrity without compromising their appearance. The goal of conservation framing is to create a safe, stable environment for the artwork, allowing it to remain in its original condition for years to come. 

• Corner Sample - A corner sample is a small, typically 200 - 250mm section of a frame moulding, used to showcase the profile and finish of a particular frame style. These samples are often displayed together in a collection, allowing customers to easily compare different designs, materials, and colors before selecting the perfect frame for their artwork. Corner samples are especially helpful in illustrating how the frame will look in the context of a larger piece, as they give a clear view of the profile shape, whether it’s flat, beveled, or ornate. By examining corner samples, customers can also get a sense of how the frame’s texture and finish—such as wood, metal, or lacquered surfaces—will complement their artwork. Using corner samples in the decision-making process ensures a more informed, confident choice when framing, leading to a cohesive and visually pleasing result.

• Cotton Rag Mat Board - is considered the highest standard in picture framing, particularly for conservation and museum-quality applications. Made from 100% cotton fibers, this type of board is naturally acid-free, lignin-free, and extremely stable over time, offering unmatched protection for valuable or delicate artworks, photographs, and historical documents. Its superior archival properties make it ideal for long-term preservation, as it won’t degrade or discolor, even under varying environmental conditions. In addition to its protective qualities, cotton rag mat board has a luxurious texture and appearance, enhancing the visual presentation of framed pieces while ensuring their longevity. It is the preferred choice for institutions, collectors, and professionals committed to preserving works for generations. 

• Crescent Matboards - Is a well-known brand in the picture framing industry, highly regarded for its premium-quality, archival-grade matting products. Offering a wide selection of colors, textures, and finishes, Crescent Matboards provides framers with versatile options to enhance and protect artwork. Their mats are made from 100% cotton or acid-free materials, ensuring long-term preservation and preventing issues like discoloration or deterioration over time. Crescent's commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovation has made them a go-to choice for framing high-end art, photographs, and documents. Whether for standard frames or custom pieces, Crescent Matboards helps create visually striking presentations while safeguarding the integrity of the artwork. 

• Crop - refers to the process of selecting and trimming the edges of an image to improve its composition, remove unwanted elements, or make it fit within a specific frame or mat. Cropping helps focus attention on the most important part of the image and can enhance its visual impact by improving balance and symmetry. It is a crucial step in both digital and physical framing, as it determines what portion of the image will be visible once framed. Proper cropping ensures that the final presentation is aesthetically pleasing and aligned with the artistic intent.

D

• Double Mat - refers to the use of two layers of mat board around a picture or artwork to enhance its visual depth and presentation. The top mat is the primary mat that surrounds the image, while a second, slightly larger mat (called the bottom or inner mat) is placed underneath and revealed by cutting the top mat slightly smaller, creating a thin border of contrasting or complementary color. This layered effect adds dimension and sophistication to the framed piece, drawing the viewer’s eye inward and highlighting specific colors or details within the artwork. Double matting is often used for more formal displays or to emphasize the aesthetic quality of photographs, prints, or certificates. 

• Dry Mounting - Is a technique used in picture framing to permanently affix a photograph or artwork to a rigid backing board, such as foam core or mounting board, using a heat-activated adhesive. The process involves placing the artwork and adhesive sheet between the backing and a protective top layer, then applying heat and pressure using a dry mount press. This method helps to eliminate wrinkles, creases, and air bubbles, ensuring a smooth, flat presentation of the image. While dry mounting provides a clean, professional finish, it is considered a permanent process and is not recommended for valuable or irreplaceable artwork, as it cannot be reversed without damaging the piece.

E

• Edge-to-Edge Framing - Is a modern framing technique where the artwork is displayed without any borders or mats around the edges, meaning the image extends all the way to the frame's edges. This style showcases the entire artwork, providing a clean, minimalistic look that places the full emphasis on the piece itself. Edge-to-edge framing is often used for contemporary, graphic, or large-scale works where the artist intends for every part of the image to be visible. This method can create a sleek, seamless look, especially when paired with a thin frame, allowing the artwork to feel like it’s "floating" within the frame. It’s ideal for works where the edges of the image are important to the overall composition and visual impact. 

• Embossing -  Refers to the technique of creating a raised or textured design on mat board or paper, often used as a decorative accent around a framed piece of artwork. This process involves pressing a design or pattern into the surface of the material using heat and pressure, resulting in a subtle, three-dimensional effect. Embossing can be used to enhance the framing by adding visual interest and texture without distracting from the artwork itself. Commonly, it is used to create borders, logos, or decorative motifs, giving a more refined and luxurious feel to the overall presentation. This technique is particularly popular in framing certificates, diplomas, and other prestigious documents, as well as for adding extra elegance to fine art or photographs.

F

• Fillet (pronounced "fill-it") - A fillet in picture framing is a narrow, decorative strip of moulding that is placed inside the frame, often between the artwork and the mat board. It adds an extra layer of elegance and refinement to a framed piece, enhancing the overall presentation. Fillets can be made from various materials, such as wood, metal, or even acrylic, and come in a range of styles—from simple and understated to ornate and intricate. Typically, fillets are used to create visual depth or to complement the frame’s design, drawing attention to the artwork while also serving as a subtle accent. They are especially popular in fine art framing, where a sophisticated finish is desired. 

• Floating Frame - A floating frame is a type of frame with an L-shaped moulding cross-section, designed to mount canvases in a way that creates the illusion of the artwork "floating" within the frame. The canvas is attached from the back, leaving a small gap—usually between 6-12mm—between the edge of the canvas and the frame. This subtle separation enhances the visual effect, allowing the artwork to appear suspended inside the frame, giving it a modern and sleek presentation. The term "floating" comes from the distinct look of the canvas appearing as if it's gently suspended within the frame, without direct contact with the sides.

• Float Mounting - A technique where the artwork appears to "float" above or within the frame, usually with space around the edges.

• Foamcore (or Foam Board): A lightweight, rigid board used for mounting or backing.

G

• Glazing - The protective transparent cover (glass or acrylic) placed over artwork in a frame.

• Gesso: A white paint mixture used to prepare surfaces, often found on mouldings or canvas.

H

• Hinge Mounting - A conservation method of attaching artwork to a backing board using small pieces of archival tape or paper hinges.

• Hanging Hardware - The fittings (e.g., D-rings, wire, sawtooth hangers) attached to the back of a frame for hanging.

I

• Inner Frame (or Liner) - A secondary frame or spacer placed inside the main frame, often used with canvas artwork.

J

• Join - The point where two pieces of moulding are mitered and glued or nailed together.

K

• Keys - Small, wedge-shaped sections of wood which are inserted in the corners of stretchers and enable the dimensions of the stretcher to be increased when they are tapped in. Also called chocs or wedges. 

L

• Lamination - Sealing artwork under a plastic film, often irreversible and not recommended for original art.

• Larson Juhl - Owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the leading brands in the picture framing industry, renowned for its premium-quality mouldings and framing solutions. With a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, Larson-Juhl offers an extensive selection of frame styles, ranging from traditional wood and metal options to more contemporary designs. Their mouldings come in a variety of finishes, textures, and colors, enabling framers to create custom frames that perfectly complement any artwork, photograph, or document. The brand is also committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices in their production process. Under the ownership of Berkshire Hathaway, Larson-Juhl has continued to thrive as a top choice for professional framers, artists, and designers, delivering both aesthetic excellence and durability in framing solutions. 

• Lint-Free Cloth - Used to clean glazing or artwork without leaving particles behind.

M

• Mat (Mat Board) - A decorative and protective board placed around artwork inside the frame.

• Moulding - The material (usually wood, metal, or composite) that makes up the frame.

• Mount Board -  A general term for the backing or support board onto which artwork is mounted.

N

• Non-Glare Glass - Glass with a matte finish that diffuses reflections. Can reduce clarity if not used properly.

O

• Overmat - The top mat in a multiple mat layout, the one that has the window opening.

• Open Edition - Artwork that is not limited in quantity and typically unsigned by the artist.

P

• Peterboro Matboards - Is a well-respected brand in the picture framing industry, known for producing high-quality mat boards that add both style and protection to framed artwork. Their matboards come in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes, allowing framers to select the perfect complement for various types of artwork, from fine art prints to photographs and certificates. Peterboro’s matboards are made with acid-free materials, ensuring they are archival and safe for long-term display, preventing damage like yellowing or degradation over time. The company is also recognized for its attention to detail and commitment to sustainability, offering eco-friendly options. With a focus on quality and versatility, Peterboro Matboards is a popular choice among professional framers looking for reliable, elegant, and protective solutions for their framing projects. 

• Plexiglass - A brand name for acrylic glazing (see Acrylic glazing entry).

• Point Driver - A tool used to insert points or fasteners into the frame to hold contents in place.

R

• Rebate (Rabbet) - refers to the recessed area along the inner edge of the frame that holds the artwork, mat, and glazing (glass or acrylic) in place. This groove ensures that the contents are securely seated within the frame and prevents them from shifting. The depth and width of the rabbet are crucial for accommodating the thickness of the materials being framed, such as the artwork, matting, and backing board. A well-cut rabbet ensures a snug fit, protecting the artwork while providing a neat and professional presentation. It also helps create a clean, finished look by hiding the edges of the framing materials, keeping everything in place without visible fasteners. 

• Reverse Bevel - Refers to a specific type of angled cut made on a mount board (or mat board) where the edge slopes inward, underneath the top surface of the board. Unlike a standard bevel—which angles outward and exposes the core of the board around the window opening—a reverse bevel keeps the angled edge hidden from view when looking at the artwork straight on.

• Rag Board - A high-quality, cotton-based archival mat or mount board.

S

• Spacer - A spacer is a thin, often clear or colored, material placed between the artwork and the glass to create a small gap that prevents the artwork from touching the glass surface. This gap is essential to protect delicate pieces like photographs, watercolors, or textured art from condensation, sticking, or damage caused by direct contact with the glass. Spacers help maintain the artwork’s condition over time by allowing air circulation and reducing the risk of mold or discoloration. They are especially useful in preserving valuable or fragile items, ensuring that the presentation remains clean and professional while safeguarding the piece. 

• Shadowbox - A shadowbox is a deep, enclosed frame designed to showcase three-dimensional objects or layered artwork, creating a sense of depth and visual interest. Unlike traditional flat frames, shadowboxes provide extra space between the glass and the backing, allowing items like memorabilia, textiles, collectibles, or multi-layered art to be displayed without being pressed flat. This type of framing not only protects the contents from dust and damage but also adds an elegant, museum-quality presentation that highlights the dimension and detail of the objects inside. Shadowboxes are popular for preserving keepsakes such as medals, souvenirs, or delicate crafts, making them a versatile and creative framing option. 

• Stretcher (Strainer) - the stretcher is a crucial wooden framework used to support and hold the canvas taut. Unlike a simple frame, a stretcher is specifically designed with expandable corners or joints that allow the canvas to be tightened or loosened as needed, ensuring the artwork remains smooth and flat over time. This flexibility helps prevent sagging or warping caused by changes in temperature and humidity. Stretchers are typically made from lightweight yet sturdy wood, providing a stable backing that preserves the integrity and presentation of the artwork, making them an essential component in both professional and amateur canvas framing. .

T

• T-Handle Wrench (security system) - A T-handle wrench in picture framing is a specialized tool, often called a Security Wrench or T-Lock Wrench, used to install (lock) and remove (unlock) picture frames that use T-head security screws. The wrench features a hardened metal tip with a notch designed to fit the head of a T-head screw, allowing it to be turned 90 degrees to secure or release the frame from the wall. These tools are common in high-traffic areas like hotels, hospitals, and museums to prevent easy removal or tampering with framed artwork.

• Tape Hinge - A tape hinge is a method used to attach artwork to its backing board securely without causing damage. Typically made from archival-quality, acid-free paper or linen tape, this technique involves attaching the top edge of the artwork to the backing using a small, discreet strip of tape that allows the piece to hang freely within the frame. The tape hinge helps to support the artwork evenly, preventing it from shifting or warping over time, while also ensuring it can be removed safely if necessary. This method is particularly favoured for delicate or valuable works on paper, as it minimizes the risk of permanent damage while providing a secure, non-invasive way to mount the artwork. 

• Turn Button - A rotating clip used on the back of a frame to secure the backing board.

U

• UV Protection - Glazing that filters ultraviolet light to prevent fading or degradation of artwork.

V

• V-Groove - A decorative cut into the top layer of a mat board, often used to enhance the visual appeal.

W

• Window - The opening cut into a mat board that reveals the artwork underneath.

• Wire - A hanging mechanism attached to the back of a frame with D-rings or screw eyes.

X

• X-Acto Knife - A precision cutting tool used for mat cutting and detailed trimming.

Y

• Yellowing - A common issue caused by the degradation of materials over time, particularly when acidic components in the framing materials come into contact with the artwork. This yellowing is often a result of the acid content in papers, mats, or even the frame itself, which can break down and release acids that affect the colours and quality of the artwork. In addition to acid damage, exposure to UV light and environmental factors such as heat and humidity can accelerate yellowing. To prevent this, conservation-quality materials like acid-free mat boards and UV-protective glass are used, as they protect the artwork from both light and acid exposure. Proper framing with high-quality, archival materials helps maintain the integrity of the artwork and prevents unwanted yellowing, preserving the piece for future generations. 

Z

• Z-Bar - A wall-mounting system used for heavy or large frames, especially in galleries