PRESERVATION EDUCATION

Standard 

Vs.

Professional Art Framing​​

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Given the importance of preserving such sentimental flowers such as your wedding bouquet, it’s essential to have a clear & educated understanding of the role different framing treatments play in the longevity of your preserved flowers.

Not all frame types and materials feature the same level of protection for effectively preserving your bouquets longevity and quality. That said, the framing type you choose should depend on your overall budget and goals for displaying your flowers long term.

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If you’re more concerned about cost than longevity, general framing can give you the results you want at an affordable price. However, general frames, matboards, glues and mounting boards contain acids, which can deteriorate and damage your flowers over time. These acids result from the breakdown of lignin, a binding polymer that holds wood together. Since general purpose mats and mounting boards are made from wood pulp, the acids from these materials can transfer into your art over time, causing discoloration and quicker deterioration.

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So, if you’re looking to invest in one of the most sentimental pieces of art you will ever own, then why not have it done properly and take the time to understand the importance of having your flowers framed professionally using the correct materials to protect your flowers for the long term.

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At Blooming Keepsakes, we value the importance of your blooms longevity and that is why we ensure that every aspect of our Australian Made, Museum Quality Frames are custom designed by PROFESSIONAL ART FRAMERS, using the highest quality, acid-free materials to ensure your bouquet is properly protected.

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Your Art Frame should be made up of the following elements -

 

(Whether you choose Blooming Keepsakes to Preserve and Frame your precious flowers or not, we recommend you follow our quick education guide below)

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• Your Frame Type: choose metal or solid timber (if using timber, the rabbet joint should be lined with a barrier film such as aluminum or polyester tape with acrylic adhesive to prevent acids in the wood from moving into the mat)

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• Matboard: this should be acid free "Museum Matboard" which is 100% cotton rag or chemically purified, lignin-free wood pulp; pH-neutral or slightly alkaline (pH 8.5+). Your frame’s backing board should also be acid free and sealed with framers’ tape, which necessitates as an additional moisture barrier and insect protection guard.

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• Glazing: What type of glass or acrylic is being used? Ideally you should choose a high-quality glass such as TruVue 99% UV Art Glass or a UV-opaque Acrylic, both of which are acid free and have UV protective qualities.

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• Moisture Barrier and Insect Protection: Your artist must take preventive measures to protect your framed flowers from environmental elements such as moisture reabsorption and the threat of insect attacks. Bugs such as cigar beetles are a disaster to dried materials like preserved flowers, they are so tiny and once they make their way into your frame, they will start to eat your dried bouquet causing small holes and rapid deterioration.