Wednesday, June 4, 2003

Preserve your family memories with proper framing

Special family photos are more than simple snapshots. They're memories that just might become family heirlooms but only if they're properly protected from the ravages of aging. Just because your treasured photos are displayed in frames or tucked away in photo albums, that doesn't mean they're safe from harm.

Think about the most meaningful photos in your life: your own wedding picture, your daughter's prom picture, a picture of you with your great-grandparents or maybe you with all your grandkids. Are those photos going to be around for generations to come, or have they already started to turn yellow or look stained?

These discolorations and stain deposits are caused by ultra violet (or UV) light, the same light rays that cause sunburn and wrinkles. Ultra violet light is one of the most dangerous elements that your photographs can be exposed to. Its irreversible damage ruins even framed memories by turning them yellow and brittle and making their color less vibrant. Other artwork, from prized paintings to the Polynesian print you brought back from your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, is also susceptible to this damage.

Even the experts are sometimes surprised by the effects of sun damage. Donald Erlichman, international sales manager for McCook, Ill.-based Tru Vue, a company that specializes in conservation-grade framing products, tells this story: "On a trip to New Orleans I bought a set of 16 colorful recipe cards and had them framed in colors to match the cards. I hung them on a wall with a southwestern exposure. One morning, years later, I noticed that the frames no longer matched the cards -- the vibrant reds, oranges and greens in the cards had completely washed out. Lesson learned."

Ultra violet light is present in every light source found in your home and office: skylights, unshaded windows, even fluorescent and halogen bulbs. Once damage from UV light has occurred, it can never be reversed. But there are some simple, cost effective steps you can take to prevent UV light damage from destroying your framed artwork.

Danata Donnerson, marketing communications manager for Tru Vue offers these tips for conserving your precious memories:

Consult with a knowledgeable custom framer. A professional framer has the skills and training to guide you in selecting the proper framing materials for your particular project. This means helping you choose the right colors, the right frame style, and most importantly, the right materials to protect your art, photo or memorabilia. The more he or she knows about your project, the better they are able to use materials that will ensure your enjoyment of it for years to come.

Opt for a higher quality art board to protect your framed piece. Artboard that is not rated as conservation quality contains elements that will damage your artwork over time. These "natural" substances include acids and lignins (which make paper and fabric brittle). Through the aging process, which is intensified by sunlight and heat, the artboard "burns" or discolors the art that it surrounds.

Protect your framed memories with conservation glass. Glass serves as a barrier between artwork and dust, moisture and other elements. Using specialty glass, such as Tru Vue's TruGuard UV Protection Conservation Series Glass, protects against harmful light rays and can also enhance the presentation of the framed artwork by lowering or completely omitting reflection and glare. "This glass effectively blocks out a minimum of 97 percent of all harmful UV rays," said Donnerson.

Use proper lighting techniques when hanging your artwork. Choose subdued lighting effects that will not reflect into the glass. Also try adding a sense of atmosphere by using wall lights or sconces on either side of your framed piece. You can also try adding individual picture lights for more emphasis on the artwork, but remember to illuminate your art at the lowest level possible for long-term enjoyment.

Avoid direct sunlight. When possible, try not to hang your valuable artwork in direct sunlight. Even with protective UV-blocking glass, prolonged exposure to the sun's heat can destroy your art. Proper care and framing of your precious (and often irreplaceable) memories, photos and works of art means you'll be able to enjoy them for years to come. And when you're ready, you can hand them down to future generations as well.

Ask your custom framer for more information about conservation framing and Tru Vue conservation quality mats and glass.

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