{"id":22491,"date":"2025-05-09T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/?p=22491"},"modified":"2025-05-09T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:00:00","slug":"framing-materials-acid-free-vs-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/framing-materials-acid-free-vs-others\/","title":{"rendered":"Framing Materials Matter: Certified Acid-Free Vs. Others"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Framing Materials Matter: Our matboards conform to industry standards & are marketed as acid-free by manufacturers.
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When it comes to framing artwork, photographs, documents, or anything else you choose to frame, selecting the right framing materials is essential to ensure their longevity. It’s best to be wary as not all framing materials are created equal, and one of the most critical factors to consider is acidity. You may have asked yourself…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • What is acid-free paper, backing, or matboard?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Is Frame It Easy’s art, photo, and giclee paper acid-free?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Are Frame It Easy’s Matboards acid-free?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Why is it important for photo frames and photo materials to be acid-free?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Keep reading as we explore the difference between acid-free and non-acid-free framing materials and why your material choice matters. Keeping what’s inside your frame safe is what matters most!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Our Paper Type Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Our Art Paper<\/strong> is acid-free and has no optical brighteners. This means the paper remains its original shade over a long period of time. It’s made from 100% cotton fiber and has a semi-smooth surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our Photo Paper<\/strong> has a satin medium texture that creates rich color, deeper blacks, and stronger saturation. It has a semi-lustrous. finish and completely acid-free base, although the coating is slightly acidic. This is extremely minimal, and when used with our archival inks, you will have a print that lasts a lifetime without losing any of its impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our Giclee Pape<\/strong>r is a cold pressed textured paper. It’s museum-grade, which means a museum curator would be confident putting this on display, as it is 100% cotton fiber, acid-free. and lignin-free with no optical brightener. It replicates the texture and feel of watercolor or cold press fine art paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The Benefits Of Acid-Free Framing Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Framing Materials Matter: When using acid-free materials, your artwork is less likely to be damaged.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Artwork & Photo Conservation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    What are acid-free and non-acid-free framing materials?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Acid-free materials have a pH level of 7 or higher, so they won’t damage or break down your artwork over time. Non-acid-free materials, also known as acid-containing materials, have a pH level lower than 7, making them acidic and potentially harmful to your precious items inside the frame. Acidic materials can cause discoloration, yellowing, or even deterioration of the artwork- big yikes! \ud83d\ude35<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are three main elements of a frame that are likely to contain acid (if not stated acid-free!)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Matting or mat boards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Foamcore backing or backing boards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Paper type<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      At Frame It Easy we only use acid-free matting and foamcore backing! Our materials are treated with alkaline to be acid-neutral, thus slowing the aging process!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Long-term Durability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Why does the acidity of framing materials matter?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Acidity matters because over time acidity can accelerate the aging process of your framed artwork, many times resulting in irreversible damage! \ud83e\udee3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Some of these unsightly acidity-caused boo-boos include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Yellowing –<\/strong> Artwork may turn an unappealing yellow hue. \ud83e\udd22<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Discoloration –<\/strong> Artwork can become faded and less vibrant – similar to sun bleaching! \u2600\ufe0f<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Deterioration – <\/strong>Artwork, matboard, and backing can begin to break down, becoming less stable and protective of frame contents. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mat Burn, Chemical Burn, or Acid Burn-<\/strong> Causes artwork to showcase brown “burn marks” (most commonly found around the matting) resulting in brittle and flaky artwork. (\ud83e\udd50 Croissant anyone?) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        If you’re planning on framing something irreplaceable or priceless, double-check to make sure all your materials are acid-free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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