How To.. Fit Artwork in Aluminium Frames

creating advanced multi aperture layouts

Fitting your artwork into an aluminium picture frame is a straightforward process, provided the artwork is prepared in advance. Much like inserting a piece into a wooden frame, there are specific steps and considerations to ensure your artwork is securely and attractively displayed. The following instructions will guide you through the process, addressing common concerns and offering practical advice for handling aluminium frames.

It is important to check your new picture frame/mount for any damage before you start dismantling it as we will only accept claims for obvious damage to the frame if the damage is reported before it has been used.

Tools and Preparation

Ensure your artwork is fully prepared and ready for framing.
Have a small flat head screwdriver to hand. This tool will be essential for loosening corner brackets and releasing spring clips within the frame.

Understanding Frame Assembly

It is not uncommon for the corners of an aluminium frame to be misaligned when you first receive it. During initial assembly, corners may not be perfectly aligned, as the frame is swiftly put together for shipping and handling. This is not a cause for concern�the alignment issue will be addressed during the fitting process.

Step-by-Step Fitting Guide

Opening the Frame: Begin by identifying one length of the aluminium moulding to remove. This is necessary to access the interior and fit your artwork.
Releasing Spring Clips and Corner Brackets: Use the flat head screwdriver to slacken the corner brackets. This will make it easier to disengage and remove them as needed.
Release the spring clips, which hold the contents securely in place. Now carefully remove the glazing and backing.

Prepare The Glazing

The glazing in your frame, whether it is clear or anti-reflective, is supplied with a protective film on both sides. This film protects the acrylic from scratches and damage during transit and handling. Please note that until the film is removed, the acrylic may appear to have the wrong colour or look scratched. It is essential to peel off the protective film from both sides before assessing the quality of the acrylic.

Once the protective film has been peeled off, the frame is considered to have been used. For this reason, please ensure you are satisfied with your purchase before removing the film.

Wipe down both sides of the protective film using a clean micro fibre cloth.
Be sure to also wipe around the edges of the glazing.
This process helps to eliminate static electricity and remove any dust particles that may be present.
Begin peeling the film from the outer edge inwards.
This technique helps to trap any remaining dust particles inside the film, rather than on the acrylic surface.
Once the protective films have been removed, handle the acrylic sheet only by its edges to avoid leaving fingerprints or marks on the surface.
Carefully place the acrylic back into the frame, ensuring not to touch the face of the glazing.

Anti-Reflective Glazing: If you have purchased anti-reflective glazing, it is important to note that the side with the anti-reflective coating should be facing outwards when placed in the frame. This will ensure lights reflections are absorbed.

Fitting The Artwork

Position the Artwork: Place your artwork, so it is sandwiched neatly between the acrylic glazing and the MDF backing. Then, carefully slide this assembly back into the recess of the aluminium moulding profile.
Reassemble the Frame: Refit the length of moulding you removed earlier and retighten the two screws to secure it in place. Replace the spring clips into the frame recess to hold the contents snugly.
Inspect Your Work: Check the artwork from the front to ensure it is positioned correctly and free of dust or debris. If needed, make adjustments and clean as necessary.
Align the Corners: Examine all four corners. If any are out of alignment, slightly loosen the two screws holding each corner, adjust the moulding so the mitres meet perfectly, and then retighten the screws.

Fitting the Hanging Fixtures.

Our aluminium picture frames are supplied with hanging brackets that slip directly into the aluminium profile, one on each side and about 1/3rd from top, and secured in position by tightening the screw. The supplied cord is then passed through the two brackets and tied securely.

Why don't you use real glass? is a question potential clients have asked on a number of occasions. This is most probably due to the many misconceptions amongst the general public as to the quality of the acrylic glazing we use as standard in our custom made picture frames. These misconceptions are created by the cheap styrene glazing that can be found in picture frames mass produced in the Far East and sold by stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap department stores. Styrene glazing is generally very thin, creating a wavy look in the frame, and will go yellow over time. Acrylic is not styrene glazing and shouldn't be confused with it as they are incomparable products. Acrylic is much clearer than the standard float glass used in most picture frames, and offers far greater protection against harmful UV rays. Just as important, acrylic is much lighter than glass and will not break thus making it a product more suited to being sent around the country via a courier network. It is also an incorrect assumption that we use acrylic as it is cheaper than glass when acrylic actually costs about twice the price of glass.
It would be fair to say acrylic is a little more difficult to work with in terms of removing the static it will generate and dust particles attracted to it by the static. However, with a little practice and guidance from us, it is really straightforward.

Be Prepared

Make sure you have everything prepared first before you start handling the acrylic. With your prepared artwork, have a trial run. Make sure everything fits into the frame to ensure you do not need to adjust the artwork or mount size. There may be some flakes of wood or paint inside the rebate of the frame so you should wipe along the inside edge, taking care not to cut yourself on any of the flexible tabs, to remove any debris.

Acrylic will attract dust as it generates static. You can eliminate this as much as possible by working on a clean, dust free, surface such as a kitchen table. Do not put the acrylic on carpet as it will attract dust particles thus making the process a little more tedious.

Cleaning Acrylic

The acrylic will have a protective film on both sides. Depending on the type of acrylic you have ordered, this may be a solid white colour, or a transparent blue colour. Wipe over the protective film on both sides and the edges of the acrylic using a slightly damp soft cloth. Wiping over the film before it is removed will kill any static and remove any dust. The film can now be removed, by peeling each corner inwards towards the centre so that any remaining dust is trapped within the film. To avoid having to wipe off fingerprints, you should only handle the acrylic at the edges. With both films removed the acrylic should be gently refitted into the frame, followed by the artwork and backing. If everything has gone to plan, you shouldn't have any noticeable dust or debris inside the frame. If you do need to wipe the acrylic after the film has been removed, we recommend using a micro fibre cloth which are readily available from all supermarkets in UK.

Caring For Acrylic

There are lots of cleaning products available that will help clean acrylic, and also some which will even 'remove scratches'. Any cleaning product used should be ammonia free and recommended for use with acrylic, certainly do not use normal glass cleaner as it will react with the acrylic and make it go cloudy.

I have lots of pictures fitted with acrylic in my house, and I have never, ever had the need to purchase any acrylic cleaner or scratch remover so I cannot recommend any particular brand or even confirm they work. To clean my pictures, I gently wipe the glazing with a microfibre cloth to remove any dust, whilst fingerprints can be removed with a slightly damp cloth.

Article Posted: 17/01/2018 14:15:51