86 Market Arts

Advanced Framing Techniques

Laminate Films

Laminate Films protect prints against dust and UV rays.  The laminate is airtight and is therefore water resistant (great for boat cabin walls).  When a laminate is applied, the print is first mounted to foam board, preventing the print from ever creasing or wrinkling. 

Laminates are available in 4 different styles:

1. Canvas: Gives a paper print the appearance of having been 

                    printed on canvas.

2. Linen:    Gives a paper print the appearance of having been

                    printed on linen. 

3. Glossy:  Provides an extra sheen, much like a glossy photo

                    finish.    

4. Matte/Satin: A non-glossy alternative to glass. Posters can

                    be given a vintage look by applying a matte

                    laminate. 

Texturizing Finishes

Texturizing finishes, like laminate films, are protective against dust and UV rays and require no glass; however they yield a three-dimensional surface.  Prints are similarly mounted on to foam board, before the texture is applied to prevent wrinkling and creasing. 

Texturizing finishes are available in 3 styles:

1. Crackle: Transforms a new paper print into an antiqued 

                    print.  The finish serves as a sort of tea-tinted stain                   

                    that dries with a crackled texture.  Fantastic for                           

                    maps and vintage-themed prints!

2. Gloss:    A clear gel that is applied directly onto the print 

                   with a paintbrush.  Like thick paint or impasto on 

                   a painting, the gel adds a rich three-dimensional 

                   surface quality to an otherwise one-dimensional 

                   paper print.

3. Semi-gloss: Same finish as the gloss gel; however, upon 

                   drying the clear gel has a much less glossy 

                   appearance.  Compare our gelled prints to original                       

                   paintings...the same look for much much less!!!

Glass Alternatives

Premium Clear Acrylic: a durable plastic sheet that will not break or crack...great for hospital, restaurant, and hotel walls!

Non-Reflective Glass: UV ray protective and used most often by museums and galleries that use lots of artificial lighting.  Great for rooms with big windows that let in a lot of light.

Digital Mat Cutter

Our digital mat cutter allows us to create perfectly formed designs and shapes.  We are capable of cutting scalloped edges, rounded corners and all kinds of shapes, including hearts, animals, flowers, and more!  We can cut multiple windows in order to show multiple images in a single frame.  Drop-down windows are a sharp way to display any printed text included in a print, like the artist's signature, a title, and/or a limited edition or series number.

 

While you’re in the gallery, don’t forget to check out our huge selection of prints from local artists as well as national suppliers.  Our prints range in theme from Charleston scenes to Photography to Animals to Beachscape and much, much more!  Whether it's one of our prints or one of your own, we're more than happy to create the perfect custom frame for your work(s) of art!