The spacers can be cut easily and cleanly using electrician’s pliers, a sharp knife blade, shears, or anvil pruners. To prevent crushing the spacers when cutting, turn them on their edge rather than laying them flat. Cut the spacers for the top and bottom first, then measure and cut spacers for the sides.
What are picture frame spacers and how do they work?
The perfect way to create space between your art and the frame glazing. Picture frame spacers are the perfect way to create space between your framed photo, print, artwork, diploma or degree and the frame glazing. These spacers work easily with both acrylic glazing and glass frame glazing and can be used with wood and metal frames.
Can you use spacers on glass frames?
These spacers work easily with both acrylic glazing and glass frame glazing and can be used with wood and metal frames. Spacers, also referred to as art glass separators, are available in clear and black to help make them less noticeable.
How do you cut econospace?
The best way to cut EconoSpace is with garden shears called anvil pruners. Turn the EconoSpace on edge rather than laying flat in the shears and it won’t crush. A razor blade will work too but is not as handy or safe as anvil pruners. A simple butt joint will look like its been mitered.
How to attach econospace to a glass frame?
The glass will shift in the frame the amount of the allowance and the spacer will probably show under the lip of the frame. The EconoSpace should be stuck onto the glass flush with the edge to insure full adhesive engagement and provide some semblance of permanence.
How do you put a spacer in a frame?
0:453:45How to attach a wood spacer and strainer in a wood frame - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the tape that you have trimmed and place it on the spacer. Making sure it is on evenly. WeMoreTake the tape that you have trimmed and place it on the spacer. Making sure it is on evenly. We recommend using a double faced tape rather than a wood glue because it is easier to remove if necessary.
How do you use spacers in framing art?
0:402:30EconoSpace Framing Spacers - AmericanFrame.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide position spacers on the reverse side of the acrylic and simply cut to the desired length. NowMoreSide position spacers on the reverse side of the acrylic and simply cut to the desired length. Now peel up only the edge of the protective. Paper.
Are frame spacers necessary?
Without framing spacers, the image can buckle or get stuck to the glazing, causing damage and making it difficult to reframe your art in the future. If, heaven forbid, moisture should sneak its way under the glazing, frame spacers allow air circulation, thus preventing the formation of destructive mold and mildew.
What are spacers in framing?
They create space between the art and the protective acrylic layer on top of it. Clear spacers are available in 1/8" and 1/4" depths. Black spacers are offered in 1/4" depth.
Why do my pictures stick to the glass in the frame?
Moisture getting into the frame is usually the cause of photographs sticking to glass. The emulsion coating of the photo reacts to humidity or condensation and becomes sticky. This could happen in a room that's regularly humid like a bathroom, or where a room gets hot in the sunlight.
How do you keep moisture out of a picture frame?
Seal glass and backboards with acid-free, gummed tape. The use of high quality, paper tapes, to create seals, doesn't just keep out dust and help control humidity within the frame. They will also keep out those annoying insects, thrips, which find their way into frames in summer time.
How do you stop a picture from touching the glass?
I always use a mat. But if I had this objective, I would cut some very thin strips of mat that were just wide enough to fit in the space where the picture and glass fits under the overhang of the frame without extending out into the visible area.
Can you put a mat around an oil painting?
The oil paint itself does not need the protection, but the paper does. If you do decide to place an oil painting behind glass, be sure to include a mat (also called a framing mount). Mats are important elements to framing and it goes beyond adding a nice decorative touch.
What is gap between acrylic?
A gap between your work and the acrylic is more than just a stylish accent. It protects against mold growth, paper buckling, image transfer, and adhesion to the acrylic.
Can you use Econospace with a knife?
Since our EconoSpace spacers are peel-and-stick, no special tools are needed to use them. They can be cut using electrician’s pliers or a sharp knife blade. And don’t worry about them harming your artwork or photograph. They’re made with neutral pH plastic.
How to stop metal frames from buckling?
It is recommended to glue matboard or foamcore strips onto the edge of the backing to almost fill the space remaining behind the backing. Leave it all a little loose to prevent buckling.
What is Econospace made of?
The plastic is neutral pH and has no plasticizers to harm fine art. (Test report available). They are made from KOSTAR®, a co-polyester made by Eastman Chemical Co. The acrylic adhesive used on Econospace is neutral pH and will not outgas harmful chemicals. (Of course, the adhesive should be adhered to the glass, not to the art).
Why do you need air spacers for glass?
Airspace is needed to promote air circulation between the glass and the art . This air circulation helps prevent mold growth and buckling. It also keeps any condensation caused by rapid changes in humidity/temperature from damaging the art. Even on quite large but flat pieces a double matt (1/8 inch thick) has proved to be adequate. So a 1/8 inch spacer would also be adequate. If the art is already buckled or wavy you might consider going to a deeper spacer.
Why does paper buckle?
Paper expands and contracts with changes in humidity. Lack of air circulation across the face of the paper will result in buckling due to slight differences in the humidity content of the paper. (i.e.; The edges and corners may be more humid than the central area). Proper airspace will allow the air to circulate and equalize the humidity across the face of the paper which will help prevent this buckling.
Why is an appropriate allowance between the glass size, art package size, and the frame size necessary?
An appropriate allowance between the glass size, art package size, and the frame size is necessary to allow for inaccuracies in measuring, marking, cutting, and squareness of all the materials used in a frame. Expansion and contraction of all materials from temperature and humidity must also be considered.
What do spacers do to glass?
These spacers will prevent "Newton Rings" and the wet spots that appear on photographs and glossy prints by preventing the art from contacting the glass.
Can you use pieces shorter than the side of a frame?
You could use pieces shorter than the side of the frame but it would look terrible. You will be able to see the spacer under the lip of most frames and if there is a gap it will really stand out. The art will probably buckle toward the glass where the gaps are.
