Original Artwork Framing

Simple Canvas Stretching to Full Custom Framing

Black Door Gallery has a number of options to frame all oil paintings. The process is different for each and will depend on a number of factors.

Is the painting on a loose canvas? Or has it been mounted to a hard board? Or is it already on a stretcher frame?

Assuming it is not on a stretcher frame and is a loose canvas, then the options are as follows

1. Canvas Stretching : This will depend on how much bleed canvas there is, in order to stretch onto a canvas stretcher frame, we require a minimum of 60mm bleed canvas, but prefer around 80mm. 

This will allow us to stretch on various canvas stretcher frame thicknesses.

2. Canvas Stretching + Float Frame : After an artwork is stretched, or it is supplied already stretched, we can simply add a float frame to the outside. This is a really nice modern way to frame an artwork, and doesn’t cover any of the image.

3. Mounting to an MDF board and put in a Frame : This is probably the most cost effective way to frame any artwork. The process is quick, and cost will come down to frame choice. You can also add multiple frames to create space around the artwork. A minimum of 5-7mm of the edge of the artwork will sit under the rebate of the frame.

4. Frame, Mats & Glass : Another modern way of framing an artwork, and non-traditional way, but can be very effective. Mat colours help to enhance the artwork by drawing on colours from the piece, while also creating space around the image, which draws your eye to the artwork. When using mats, you need to use glass. We always recommend Art Glass for the best viewing experience, as it is non-reflective and also UV Protective. Other glass options are available, but don’t have the same impact as the Art Glass. As with standard frames, you will lose around 5-7mm of the artwork under the edge of the mat.

A standard canvas stretching job

This artwork has just been stretched over a canvas stretcher frame. In order to frame an original artwork like this, we require a minimum of 60mm of bleed canvas. Bleed canvas is the blank canvas that sits outside of the painted area. 40mm is used to hold to stretched with, and 20mm is represented by the thickness of the float frame. If the canvas is large, we prefer to stretch onto a larger stretcher frame; this maintains the integrity of the overall framing job and guarantees that the frame will not bow out of shape. In this case, we would normally require 80mm of bleed, 40mm to stretch with, and 40mm to wrap around the side of the canvas. If the artwork does not have this much bleed, it can still be stretched; however, you will lose at least 40mm of your image.

The Non-Traditional Way

This is a non-traditional way to frame original oil paintings, but it is popular.

The original artwork was framed with triple mats and an oak box-style frame and finished in Art Glass.

Although glass is not traditionally used to frame oil paintings, it is necessary when using mats. When going with this option, it is always best to use anti-reflective glass. In this case, the client chose Art Glass which is both anti-reflective and UV protective.

Art Glass appears like the frame has no glass, so protecting the artwork from dirt/dust and fade is a great option.