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Picture Framing and Art Preservation/Is it better to frame or laminate prints?


I have just bought a whole bunch of digital prints at an expo and I am wondering what is the best way to preserve them for a long time. I have heard that framing is better, but it could be expensive and you may not always find the size to fit your print. I have also heard that laminating works just as well as framing, but cheaper. However, if you do it wrong or you take it to a bad company to laminate it, it could cause as much or more damage than if you just left it alone. What should I do: frame or laminate? If you say laminate, could you recommend a place to does a great job at it since I would like to not do it myself? If you suggest framing, is there a good place online that I could get frames and could you give me advice on how to choose frames? Thanks

To help you make your decision it might help to talk a little about what preservation is. The goals are twofold:

1. To preserve the artwork in as close to its original condition as possible. This includes protection from light damage, physical damage such as tearing or punctures, heat, humidity and insects.

2. Whatever is done to the artwork should be easily reversed with as little change to the art as possible.

Since the artwork would be adhered to a board and then covered with a heat-sealed laminate, undoing it is pretty much impossible. It may serve your purpose of displaying and enjoying them with some degree of protection, but you can forget about ever reversing the process.

If you've never done framing before, either DIY or custom, it may be best to start with the guidance of a professional framer who has your artwork in hand. You can find a good framer in your area through the PPFA's Find a Framer site at

If you go the DIY route and are looking for framing components online, I have heard very good things about Frame Destination,  

Picture Framing and Art Preservation

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David Lantrip, MCPF, GCF








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