When it comes to preserving your artwork and photographs, finding the right frame isn’t just all that matters, you want to protect your memories for years, and even generations, to come.

Archival framing, otherwise known as conservation framing, plays an important role in making certain that your cherished memories are able to withstand the passage of time.

For those older art pieces, photographs, letters, or even documents that you want to preserve for future generations, you should be considering archival framing. This will be your best option when it comes to protecting not only their value, but the memories within them for years to come.

Here at OAI Art Services, archival framing is one of the many services that we offer. It is a more involved process than standard framing, and archival framing offers protection far beyond that of the standard framing process.

Defining Archival or Conservation Framing

When it comes to archival framing, it isn’t just about how your finished framed piece looks, although that is also important. Archival framing is a detailed, careful process that aims to preserve artwork for future generations. Special materials and techniques are used to safeguard your piece from environmental damage, which include acid-free mats, UV-protective glass, and archival-quality materials.

Protection Against Acid and Harmful Elements

Cheap framing materials, like acidic mats or a cardboard backing found in store purchased ready-made frames will actually cause harm to artwork over time. They will cause fading, discoloration, and even deterioration. By employing acid-free mats and backing, archival framing’s goal is to prevent these materials from leeching potentially damaging chemicals into your art piece. The special use of these materials reduces risks of deterioration, ensuring that your artwork remains intact and beautifully vibrant.

UV Ray Protection

Although sunlight can brighten a room, the UV rays can cause fading of artwork, or even more serious damage over time. Conservation framing uses UV-protective glass or acrylic, which acts as a shield against damaging UV rays. The special type of glazing used filters out the majority of UV light, allowing for your artwork’s colors and integrity to be preserved and vibrant.

Moisture Damage Prevention

Two of the biggest enemies to artwork are humidity and moisture. These can cause mold growth, warping, and overall deterioration. By utilizing proper sealing techniques, archival framing prevents moisture from seeping into the frame; this helps with the maintenance of the artwork’s structural integrity, which is crucial for particularly delicate materials like canvas or paper.

Preserving Valuable and Sentimental Art

Some artwork holds more than just an aesthetic value. They might hold emotional or financial value as well. Artwork like family heirlooms, rare paintings, or even limited edition prints deserve special care to ensure their longevity. With archival framing, these pieces gain extra protection against environmental harms, allowing for their significance to be preserved for future generations.

Investing in Art Preservation

With archival framing, it’s more than just an upfront expense: it’s an investment in your art’s longevity. By utilizing high-quality, archival quality techniques and materials, you are moving to safeguard your initial investment. Art which is carefully preserved maintains its value, allowing for it to be enjoyed for decades to come.

What is the Role of Archival Framers?

Being experts in the field of conservation framing, archival framers possess specialized skills and techniques that allow them to best advise you on your piece’s unique needs. They can help recommend the best framing techniques to best preserve your artwork. The expertise of an archival framer ensures that your artwork is receiving the best protection and care.

Moving Beyond Aesthetics



Although aesthetics are always important, conservation artwork goes beyond that. Archival framing is about safeguarding the value of the piece, while also preserving its story and protecting it from the passage of time. It respects the artist’s vision, ensuring that their artwork continues to awe and inspire.

The preservation of artwork is a true commitment to its beauty and, most importantly, its history. By ensuring that your artwork remains vibrant and intact, archival framing maintains its commitment to allowing artwork be cherished for generations.