Q Can a lustre paper photograph be framed into an acrylic frame?
A No, as only a gloss surface provides a perfect bond. This is why when choosing the ‘acrylic frames’ option, there is only the premium metallic gloss paper available.
Q What is an Acrylic Frame?
A It is an optically clear professional framing grade Acrylic plastic (acrylic) that is bonded to the front face of the photo. There isn’t a surrounding frame moulding made from metal or wood, nor is there a mat board involved. Refer to below image A which is an Acrylic Frame on display in a bathroom. Frame size is 40cm x 108cm.
Q What does ‘floating’ frame mean?
A Refer to image B which shows the bottom corner of the photo as it is hung in the bathroom. The back edge of the acrylic frame is about 13mm off the wall, hence it looks like the frame is floating next the wall. With bigger photos, the distance can increase a little to about 20mm.
Q How thick is the Acrylic frame?
A It is 6mm, and the premium quality photo paper is between 0.5 – 1.0 mm thick
Q How do I attached the framed photo to the wall?
A Refer to photos C, D and E. There is aluminium extrusion glued to the back of the photo. To note: the photo does have a protection layer applied prior to aluminum being affixed. There is also a single loose strip of complimenting extrusion (hanging bar) provided for you, which is to be affixed to your wall. It is then a case of carefully hanging the photo by slotting it down and into the affixed hanging bar.
Q What tips are there for affixing hanging bar to wall?
A Firstly, ensure that the hanging bar is mounted exactly level. Unlike the string (or wire) at the back of a conventional frame which facilitates easy levelling, the hanging bar does not have any flexibility. It is a very secure and rigid set up. Secondly, you need to use heavy gauge screws, particularly with the bigger heavy frames. There are plaster board/gyp board screws designed for hanging 10kg – 20kg items. Check at your local hardware store for advice to suit your wall type. Lastly, You want to use screws with countersunk or flat profile heads, which in turn makes it much easier to place the frame into the slot of the hanging bar.
Q Is the frame glass or plastic?
A It is plastic, therefore much more susceptible to scratches. You must at all times handle frame with care.
Q What tips are there for handling frame?
A
a). Use a large dining table or work table, that you can then cover completely with something like a very soft quilt or Doona.
b). Place acrylic frame onto the table face up. Ensure everything looks fine with photo and acrylic frame, and enjoy the photo whilst taking the time to visualise where you want to hang it – exactly. Try to consider a tall person sitting on a sofa that doesn’t want to hit the back of their head on the bottom edge of the frame hung on the wall right behind them.
c). Then turn frame face down so now you’re looking at the back of the frame, and in particular, the hanging set up.
d). Play a little with the hanging bar by slotting it into the aluminium extrusion glued to frame, and understand how everything works.
e). If you need to measure something – it’s now you do it as the sharp metal edge of most workshop tape measures could easily scratch the front face of the acrylic frame.
f). Clean frame only after you have hung it. For cleaning, firstly remove any grit with very soft swiping actions of microfibre cloth, or feather duster etc. Then use a very clean and soft microfibre cloth together with either Methylated Spirits, or Mr. Sheen polish (or very similar product). Rub lightly and sparingly. Don’t get frame wet at the back as excess moisture could cause problems at the edging where the photo paper is glued to the acrylic. Don’t spray the product directly onto the frame, as you risk spraying your walls as well. Simply spray into the cleaning cloth, and then wipe frame. Don’t over saturate cloth.
Try not to over clean. The more you rub, the more you can create a static surface that attracts dust.
h). Ensure there are no distractions, such as kids or pets that you can trip over, and no radio, TV, phone calls etc. It’s a straight forward process to hang frames, but it is a very disciplined one also, so please allow extra time and plan carefully.
Q What are the pros and cons for acrylic frames compared to other frame types?
A Firstly with the pair of images below (F & G), you can see a conventionally framed photograph in a chocolate (Mocha) coloured frame, together with an off-white matt board used into between. Glass is used. Shown together with a hallway desk, and a white chest of drawers. F is perfect, as the frame colour matches the desk colour, but with G, the two items don’t go together. So frame colour can conflict with furniture.
Now look below at both H & I, which now has a bright aqua photo in an acrylic frame. There isn’t a competing frame colour to worry about.
Even though photo F has a better result aesthetically, acrylic frames have the virtue of overall flexibility.
So bottom line is, if you can find a frame to match exactly your existing furniture, then a choice like photo F is great. With hundreds of different coloured frames to choose from, and also with differences between same batch colours, matching colours can be problematic. To be really exact, you really do need to walk into the framers’ studio with an existing artwork of yours that is already framed up on your wall, and then no matter what lighting bias the framer has, you are comparing apples to apples.
Acrylic frames are a great choice where you don’t have to worry about colour synching. It has a very modern look and they make great gifts