Fine Art Trade Guild Standards

We can create a bespoke piece of work in the type of mount, frame and style of your choice that takes into consideration your budget and requirements. We can offer a wide range of different frames from contemporary to traditional.

As a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild, we work to their standards, developed for the guidance of the professional trade and to enable consumers to make informed choices. Minimal, Budget, Commended, Conservation and Museum Level are defined as follows:

Budget - Level Framing will not protect the artwork or its long-term visual appearance. However, it does provide a visually acceptable frame at a budget price and is suitable for replaceable artwork of no commercial or sentimental value.

Commended - The first level at which we would prefer to work. To visually enhance artwork and offer a moderate level of protection from airborne pollutants, physical, mechanical and acid damage for around 5 years in normal conditions. Suitable for replaceable artwork of limited commercial and/or moderate sentimental value. Processes do not have to be reversible at this level but reversible techniques will be adopted where possible. Commended Level framing is not recommended for high value limited edition prints or original artwork, which should be framed to Conservation or Museum Level.

Conservation - This level of framing offers a high level of protection from physical and mechanical damage, airborne pollutants and acids generated by framing materials, for up to 20 years in normal conditions. Suitable for collectable and original artwork, and limited editions of moderate to high value as well as items of sentimental value. Ideally, frames should be examined by the framer or conservator every 5 years, and there should be a label advising this on the back of the frame. Appropriate remedial action on deteriorating artwork should be taken before reframing. Conservation framing requires that all processes affecting the artwork be fully reversible.

Museum - To visually enhance artwork and offer a high level of protection from physical and mechanical damage, airborne pollutants and acids generated by framing materials, for approximately 30 years under normal conditions. Ideally frames should be examined by the framer or conservator every 5 years, and there should be a label advising this on the back of the frame.
Suitable for museum-quality works and artwork that is to be preserved for the future, including high value items and artwork of potential or historical value. Processes must be fully reversible.

(Source: Fine Art Trade Guild)