Antiquing
A finishing technique used to give the appearance of age.
Beveled Edge
The inside edge of a mat board window is usually cut to form a beveled edge. This means the cut is on a 45-degree angle; exposing the mat board core and helping draw the eye to the piece. It is also possible to request a 'reversed bevel', meaning that the bevel is on the underside. This gives the illusion of a clean, sharp, cut straight down. ping the edge or end of a material to form an angle that is not a right angle, such as the bevel cut on the window edge of a mat.
Bottom Mat
In multiple mat combinations, that mat which is nearest the art.
Burled Wood Molding
Molding having a pattern from the grain of a tree burl, a large rounded outgrowth on the trunk or branch of a tree.
Calligraphy
Handwriting as an art, elegant penmanship with decoration and design of primary importance.
Canvas
An open-mesh material which is generally the substrate for oil paintings and needlepoint, and is increasingly used for giclee prints; Canvas is produced in a variety of sizes and of varying fibers: cotton, acrylic, linen and plastic. Works on canvas must be stretched, or supported, over bars or board. Canvas slackens over time, so the artwork will eventually need to be re-stretched.
Cartouche
This term has two meanings. It can refer to a simple small sketch, or outline, drawn by an artist. It also refers to an ornamental design, often a scroll, which may be used to surround an inscription. The second type of cartouche might be carved or drawn.
Deckle edged
Paper with uneven, feathered edges, such as handmade paper; Deckle-edged paper is generally float-mounted with the edges showing.
Decorative Arch Cut
A mat cut with a positive rounded arch at the top intruding into the window and overlapping the image.
Decorative Mat Cut
A mat cut with a decorative contour.
Decorative Reveal
A narrow window in the surface of a mat board that reveals the core as well as the bottom mat and acts as a decorative border.
Double Mat
When mats are layered in a picture frame, the top mat forms the main border and the bottom mat is revealed slightly just around the image. Double mats are great to bring out an accent color in the piece and to give an extra sense of depth.
Dry-mounting
Method of mounting artwork and fabrics with easy-to-apply modern adhesives; Dry-mounting adhesives do not require the addition of liquid to create a bond. Dry-mounting alters the original condition of the artwork or fabric, so is not acceptable for conservation work, though it is a good method of flattening disposable artwork. It is not suitable for stitched, wool or 3D fabric items. Dry-mounting can be achieved with a heated vacuum press, self-adhesive board, spray-on adhesive or tissues which are heat or pressure activated in a press or roller. Where reversible dry mounting tissue is available reversion can be extremely difficult and time consuming.
Duotone
Any picture printed in two shades of the same color, as duotypes and duographs are usually printed.
Easel
An upright frame used for displaying or supporting something, such as an artist's canvas.
Easel Backed
An attachment used on the back of small frames that allow display on a table or flat surface without any other support.
Embellishment
A three dimensional insert meant to beautify by ornamentation.
Fillet
A narrow decorative strip of wood protruding from under the window mounts. A fillet distances artwork from glazing and aesthetically enhances the artwork. Fillets are currently fashionable and are being designed to flatter contemporary artwork. In architecture, the term 'fillet' is used to refer to a narrow flat molding between two larger moldings or surfaces.
Float-mounting
The process whereby artwork is framed with all four edges showing; The artwork is adhered to board with a reverse-cut bevel, which is in turn secured to an under-mount, so it appears to 'float' above the under mount. Art on hand-made paper is often float-mounted.
Floral
Of, relating to, or suggestive of a flower: a fabric with a floral pattern.
French Line
Hand painted line on the surface of mat board that acts as a decorative border.
Gicleé
Inkjet prints printed from a computer where the image has been stored as a digital file, and is then outputted onto paper or canvas with a high-resolution wide-format printer. The image may have been created on-screen or may have been scanned in to the computer. This relatively new printing technique is rapidly gaining market share.
Liner
1) A frame molding used within the outer molding; May be covered with fabric, often velvet or linen. Many liners are made from fully finished frame stock, including gold or silver. Sometimes its called an insert. If over 2 1/2 inches wide, called a panel.
2) Inner mats and fillets are also called liners.
Loaf Cut
A mat cut with a rounded top contour that resembles a loaf of bread.
Mat (ting) (window mat)
A border, usually made from mat board, placed around a print, photograph, etc., to serve as a spacer or separation between the picture and the frame.
Miter (mitre)
To cut frame molding on an angle for joining to other mitered pieces.
Molding
Wood or metal which has been refined and shaped and which includes a rabbet for use in the framing industry as frame stock.
Mounted Art
Art dry mounted or otherwise adhered to a substrate. Art can be mounted to mat board and used to frame a verse or image.
Nail Head Trim
Molding constructed with the appearance of nail heads along one edge of the frame.
Neutral
Of or indicating a color, such as gray, black, or white, that lacks hue; achromatic or unable to influence a color scheme.
Open Edition
Open is an edition having an unlimited number of prints
Ornate Molding
Molding Heavily ornamented, overly adorned, showy.
Oversize
This describes the size of a frame or materials that are larger than standard 32- by 40-inch mat board.
Parchment
1) A translucent or opaque material made from split skins of small animals, usually lambs or kids (goat) that have been limed and void of hair, scraped and dried under tension to produce a fine, thin, strong surface for writing, bookbinding or other uses.
2) Papers with a texture resembling true parchment.
Patina
1) A film or encrustation, usually green, appearing gradually on a surface of copper and bronze, due to weathering and as a result of oxidation.
2) An opaque toning used to stimulate aging or to dull the brightness of a gilded surface.
3) A deep, soft polished gleam acquired by wood and metal after years of wear and polishing.
Photo Frame
A frame specifically designed for standard sized photographs, often with an easel backing.
Picture Frame
A structure, usually of wood or metal in which a painting, print or other object is enclosed to improve or enhance its appearance, to isolate it from a wall or to link it to a decor, as well as to support and protect it.
Picture Hanger
A device attached to the wall on which the frame is hung or attached to the molding of a frame by which the picture is hung.
Plaques (brass)
A small metal plate mounted on a frame, usually showing the artists name and name of the artwork.
Premium Mat
A mat board with varied or special colors or patterns; Premium mat tends to raise the value of framed art more that a standard mat.
Print
A generic term used to describe an impression made on paper from a block, plate or film negative, for example.
Profile
Profile is the outline of the exposed surface of a molding cross-section.
Rabbet
Its the inner lip of a frame in which the picture framing materials, including the glass, mats, artwork, and backing, is held
Sawtooth Hanger
A strip of metal approximately 1/4 inch wide with a sawtooth configuration cut into one edge. The hanger is attached to the back of the frame and combined with a nail or hook in the wall to complete the hanging assembly.
Sepiatone
a. A dark brown ink or pigment originally prepared from the secretion of the cuttlefish. b. A drawing or picture done in this pigment. c. A photograph in a brown tint.
Shadow Box
A frame made from a deep molding in which three-dimensional objects may be displayed.
Still Life
Its a painting or drawing of a group of inanimate objects contrived by the artist according to some theme, either symbolic or merely aesthetic.
Stretcher bar
A strip of wood with tongue-and-groove ends; Bars are joined to form an expandable frame over which canvas is stretched.
Substrate
A term from substratum meaning a layer lying under another; Generally used to denote a foundation material upon which an item is mounted or otherwise functions as a carrier.
Table Top
Small framed art intended to sit atop a table or desk.
Traditional
Traditionally styled decor is based in original antique pieces from a variety of periods in history. This type of decor usually follows a particular period style such as Georgian, Tudor, Regency or Louis XV.
Transitional
A style of design that blends influences from various style categories.
Transom Cut
A mat cut above the image that emphasizes a verse or title. Fashioned after transom windows over doors.
V Groove
A v-shaped incision in the surface of a mat board that reveals the core and acts as a decorative border; V-grooves should be cut approximately 5/8'' away from the window.
Vignette
1) An ornamental design of vine leaves, tendrils and grapes, used as a boarder on a page.
2) A small, pleasing picture or view.
3) Small illustration or design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter.
4) An engraving, drawing, photograph or the like that is shaded gradually at the edges so as to not leave a definite line at the borders.
Wall Buddies
Wall hangers that are anchored to the top corners of large framed art; Screws or hooks are used to finish the wall mount.
Window Cut
A mat cut made to resemble the panes of a window.
Young Traditional
Traditionally styled decor based in historical periods but interpreted in a contemporary fashion.
