Frequently Asked Questions
IN GENERAL
Can I order a frame without a print?
Yes you can. Simply select the Frame & Mount only option, select a sample image with option B and click NEXT. On the next page you enter the height and width of your image which you will have to measure. You're now ready to start creating your frame.
What is a mount?
The mount is the coloured border around your image, creating a distance between your image and the frame. It also makes sure your image is not framed against the glass. All mountboard used by YourFramer is of high quality and acid free, ensuring the white border on the inside of the mount does not discolour and longevity of you image.
The mount maintains a space or border between the image and the outer frame. The width of the border is designed to draw the eye into the window where the image is displayed.
Do I have to use a mount?
Photographs, needlework, pastels, prints and watercolour art should always be framed with a mount surround and glass/acryllic. The mount also provides the space between the image and the glass preventing it from adhering to the inside surface caused by humidity or temperature hanges in the home.
Mounts are not used for canvas prints.
Measuring your picture - How do I measure my image?
Whether you're framing prints, photographs, watercolours, canvas images, paintings or needlework you measure the exact size of the image you want to see. When cutting a mount for your image YourFramer will adjust the size of the mount opening and will add clearance to the size of the frame.
Choosing a mount - How do I choose the right mount colour for my image?
Try and ascertain the focal point of the image (eg if you have an image of a boat on the water the boat is your focal point so select the colours of the boat) and oncentrate on those colours. By selecting these colours and not the background (ie the water) you will draw the attention to the main focal point.
In the popup box you will find a range of suggestions and colour combinations for various types and styles of images. Use this a guide.
The framing industry has very little information on the subject of colour selection, and there seems to be no set theory, and no hard and fast rules on how to pick colours. There are some personal opinions from various writers but that's all they are. However it's not as hard as you may think.
Choosing frames - How do I choose the right frame for my image?
Using the YourFramer program you can choose a frame to suit your image, and have a look at the finished product before placing your order. There are over 200 frame samples and combinations to choose from. These are arranged in groups so that it is easy to select the right frame for your image.
The frame samples are also arranged by popular suggestions. These are the frames most commonly used for your type of image. Popular suggestions are displayed on the screen.Click on any one to frame your picture.
The width of your frame moulding should not be wider than the width of your mountboard, ideally it should be a third of the width of the mount. If you look at your finished image and all you see is the frame the frame is perhaps too heavy for your image and therefore not the most suitable.
How are the frames supplied?
Our framers are fully assembled using the professional v-nail and glued method of joining. All frames are made to the highest professional standard and YourFramer only uses mouldings from the best Australian suppliers.
Choosing glass
To eliminate the chance of breakage YourFramer uses a clear, high quality, distortion free acryllic which is as good as glass.
Hinging a picture - When ordering frame & mount only
When ordering a frame and mount only (ie you already have an image at home you'd like to put in the frame) you will need to hinge your image, ie stick it to the mountboard. This is done with a tape called hinging tape. There are several hinging tapes on the market. It is very important that you NEVER use stiky tape or masking tape. These can stain your image and will loose their adhesive qualities quite quickly.
A good quality hinging or mounting tape is essential. You can purchase these from our website and add them to your shopping cart. An illustrated set of instructions is included in each pak of tape.
Hanging Pictures - How and where do I hang my image?
Your framed image or images should be hung so that the centre point of the image or group of images is at eye level of the average persons height or line of sight.
Relate your art to the wall size. Choose smaller images for smaller wall spaces and larger works or groups of images for larger wall spaces.
You can also relate images to their surroundings. Images placed in a row will create a unified look and create length to an area.
Bigger is often better. One large painting or framed image an make a bold statement yet keep the design simple.
Create a formal look with symmetrical groupings of images hung to form a rectangle or square shape on your wall space. An informal look can be created by scattering an arrangement of images.
Where not to hang images?
Try not to hang images directly opposite a large window which gets a lot of sunshine. Direct exposure to UV rays increases the chance of fading and discolouring. Windows also ause considerable reflection on the glas making it difficult to see your framed image.
How do I store frames?
Always store your framed images vertically and the right way up. Place them front to front to protect the frame surfaces from being scratched.
Do I have to frame my canvas?
No, you don't. It is a personal choice. Canvasses can be displayed in a variety of ways - strethed and hung, framed in a conventional frame or mounted into a modern front loading frame. Front loading frames are the latest way to frame canvasses. They're not on the website yet, but contat YourFramer for more information, enquiries@yourframer.com.au.
Digital Printing, Photos and Artwork - How to take care of your canvas.
Our canvasses are treated with a protective varnish coating that protects against UV light and makes them water resistant. However, we strongly recommend you use these general precautions;
- Avoid hanging your canvas in an area of strong light
- Hang canvasses indoors
- When cleaning a canvas do not use cleaning products or sprays
- Avoid prologued exposure to moisture
What's the differene between White Edge and Gallery Wrap?
White edge simply means that the image is only on the front surface of the canvas and the edges are left white canvas. These can either be hung as is or mounted into a frame.
Gallery wrap is where the image is wrapped around 4 sides of the stretcher bar and the image continues around the sides.
Do I have to frame my canvas?
No you don't. It's all down to personal choice.
How do I choose the right frame?
The width of your frame moulding should not be wider than the width of your mountboard. If you look at the virtually finished image and all you see is the frame, the frame is too heavy for your image and therefore not suitable.
Will my images be framed professionally?
The YourFramer team has over 60 years picture framing experience.
SOME TECHNICAL ONES...
I cannot start YourFramer™ What can I do?
YourFramer™works in a pop-up window. Check that you do not have any software that blocks pop-up windows.
In what format an I send my images?
We accept images in JPEG, TIFF or Photoshop PSD formats at the highest level of file size possible. You can also send images to us on cd or as an email attachment with a maximum file size of 4mb.
What are aspect ratios?
This is the ration of length and width of an image. When using images taken from a digital camera the aspect ratio is 1:1.3. Our sizes are shown primarily in 1:1.3 format, which means any image sent to us in this ratio will not be cropped.
If you work in the A series paper sizes then the aspect ratio will be 1:1.4. This means that the iamge will need to be cropped in order to fit our standard print sizes. We recommend that you prepare your work before submitting it to us. If you're unsure, just drop us a line at enquiries@yourframer.ccom.au
How can I save the Image anytime in YourFramer™?
Click on the save image link below your framed picture. You can also right click on the image and select 'save as' in the windows environment.
I do not have a digital camera or a soft copy of my picture. Can I use YourFramer™?
Yes. Just click on sample image in step 1. In step 3, you need to enter the actual picture size in order for the scaling to work properly.
Can I jump steps in YourFramer™?
It is recommended that you follow the prompts. You can however jump to any step you want in the program. For example, you may jump straight to step 7 (the moulding section) after step 1.
I like YourFramer™ a lot, can I buy it and run it on my PC?
YourFramer™ needs a server to run as it uses server-side scripting. It will not work as a stand-alone software on your PC. However, we are looking at the possibility of making it as a stand-alone (off-line) software in the future so that you can run it on your own computer anytime you want.
Are the images I uploaded and the mouldings scaled proportionally?
Yes, but it is crucial that you enter the correct picture width and height for it to work. We suggest that you make actual measurements. The program calculates the actual cost of the frame moulding, mat boards or accessories for you and you will have an option to purchase the ready made frame online.