Our Custom Archival Framing for Your Fine Art Collection

At Exclusive Collections Fine Art Galleries, we have dedicated and professional art consultants to assist you in choosing the perfect custom framing treatment for your valued works of art. We have our own custom and museum quality framing facility here in San Diego just minutes from downtown. We have full-time art framing professionals on staff.

Whether you are an avid collector of fine art or have an interest in presenting and preserving sentimental family photos or historical documents, the choice of framing materials should be carefully made. It is important to understand what you are paying for and what to avoid paying for when choosing a frame. Understanding how a framing treatment is protecting your art investment or keepsake requires just a few simple ideas.

We’ve all witnessed the morning newspaper left in the driveway that turns yellow after just one day. This happens due to a reaction of acids within the paper that cause its integrity to break down. Newspapers, old photographs, most documents, and virtually any prints made before 1990 contain these acids because they are made from wood-based papers. These acids, as in the case of the newspaper left in the sun, further speed up their reaction when exposed to UV radiation.

Knowing these basics make it obvious that materials high in acid content such as cardboard, masking tape, and paper matting should never be used in any framing treatment. A competent and professional art framer should be exercising the procedures and using materials that make up conservation framing, or “museum-quality framing”. This means using what is referred to as cotton based archival, or acid-free, materials along with the use of UV blocking glass or Plexiglas if required. Using these materials will prevent discoloration or change in integrity and will decrease fading and yellowing by up to 97%!

While most picture framers “should” have the background to explain these concepts and why they are vital to the preservation and lifespan of a precious work of art being framed, many do not. In fact, many retail framing environments employ people with little to no training. Knowing how to verify some of the essentials of conservation framing will help you to not only choose an aesthetically pleasing frame, it will also make you confident in the framing professional and the framing materials you have chosen.

At Exclusive Collections Galleries we are the framing source for more than 100 fine art galleries and museums worldwide. We look forward to assisting you in choosing the perfect museum-quality framing treatment for your valuable works of art!

• Why frame with EC Galleries? We have been providing handcrafted, museum quality picture framing to galleries, collectors, retail customers, and businesses for over 16 years. Our staff of experienced career picture framers will ensure your valuable art is treated like a masterpiece. Only the highest quality archival materials are used in our framing treatments. You can be rest assured that your art is in good hands at EC Galleries.
• How do we overcome problems? We use experience and creativity to solve any framing challenge, large or small, simple or complex. We have an eye for beauty and craftsmanship that allows us to frame your artwork using the finest methods of conservation and design.
• How much does custom archival framing cost? Your fine art deserves the best treatment to insure longevity. The costs can range from very affordable to very valuable. There are many factors that determine the price range of your framing, such as your frame choice, the overall size, and the type of mounting. We will help you design beautiful framing that fits within your budget and be happy to provide you with affordable and beautiful framing options.
• How long does it take? Most orders generally take about 2 to 4 weeks to complete. We prefer to have the necessary time needed to allow our expert craftsmen create a framing treatment worthy of your fine art collection.