Framing antique type of stuff. (paint, buy, cheap, frame)

[killer2021]

First off, I have zero experience framing any type of object.

So I have various old coins, currency, stocks, bonds etc that I have collected over the years. I mainly collected them for historical value. There is only one problem: they are sitting in a box in the closet.

What I would like to do is take these various items, write up their historical significance in a paragraph or two and put the objects in frames. I want them to look professional and like something you would see at a museum.

Here is an example of what I am looking for:



anyone point me in the right direction? I've searched online but haven't found much really.

[miu]

Find a framing shop in your area. Visit them in person with your things to be framed. It's not going to be cheap to do it in a way that looks really professional. For instance, the black background in your example is a "matte" and there is a special tool to cut the openings precisely and with a beveled edge. And the white lines in the black matte are probably white ink or paint marker. And the frame is a custom size. Plus the printing is on a nice ivory paper stock.

But, you can do it yourself, but it most likely isn't going to look as professional and finished as your example. And you have two choices.

1. Find a framing shop in your area that allows you to do the work yourself and they supply what you need.

2. Or go to a large artist supply shop like Utrecht or Pearl Art, and buy all the materials there. Pick out a standard sized picture frame and matte. Cut out the openings in the matte with a sharp Exacto knife (although it won't be a beveled cut) and using a metal ruler as your guide. Do a write up of your collectible on your computer and print out the description on a nice paper stock. Then assemble it the way you like. Use a can of Spray Mount to tack your items to the frame's backing cardboard and then place the matte on top and assemble the frame around it. It might help you to use graph paper beforehand and plan how you want your framed collectible to sit in the frame. Your first framing projects will be a trial and error sort of thing until you get the hang of it.

[killer2021]

Originally Posted by miu

Find a framing shop in your area. Visit them in person with your things to be framed. It's not going to be cheap to do it in a way that looks really professional. For instance, the black background in your example is a "matte" and there is a special tool to cut the openings precisely and with a beveled edge. And the white lines in the black matte are probably white ink or paint marker. And the frame is a custom size. Plus the printing is on a nice ivory paper stock.

But, you can do it yourself, but it most likely isn't going to look as professional and finished as your example. And you have two choices.

1. Find a framing shop in your area that allows you to do the work yourself and they supply what you need.

2. Or go to a large artist supply shop like Utrecht or Pearl Art, and buy all the materials there. Pick out a standard sized picture frame and matte. Cut out the openings in the matte with a sharp Exacto knife (although it won't be a beveled cut) and using a metal ruler as your guide. Do a write up of your collectible on your computer and print out the description on a nice paper stock. Then assemble it the way you like. Use a can of Spray Mount to tack your items to the frame's backing cardboard and then place the matte on top and assemble the frame around it. It might help you to use graph paper beforehand and plan how you want your framed collectible to sit in the frame. Your first framing projects will be a trial and error sort of thing until you get the hang of it.

Thank you very much. Extremely helpful!

[gentlearts]

You must only use acid free matting, and be aware that any work on paper will fade if exposed to light, and therefore lose value. For example if you matted a stock certificate, after awhile the edge under the matte will be darker than the exposed part.

A professional framer will have the matte cutter to make this kind of intricate matte. The chance of you being able to do it nicely with a matte knife is not good.