Boston, Glossary Of Picture Framing Terms

Glossary Of Picture Framing Terms [32]

M Mahogany A tree which grows in West Africa, South and Central America. The wood is quite hard and lightweight, and has a coppery-red to reddish-brown color. Mahogany wood is valued for its color, workability, and because it does not shrink or warp.
Mail Order Goods or services that may be shipped by mail from the provider to the customer, after being ordered via a website, phone or mail-in form.
Masking tape A pressure sensitive, self adhesive that is easy to tear and generally cream or white in color. It is available in various widths and is popular for protecting areas adjacent to those to be painted, due to its ease of removal. Various strengths are available, and are rated 1-100 based on the adhesion. Order online: We offer various Tapes and Adhesives
Mat A mat serves two purposes within a picture frame: first, to prevent the image from touching the glass, and second, to frame the image and enhance its visual appeal. Order online: Matboards
Mat Color Refers to the hue or shade of the mat board which will be cut to border an artwork within a picture frame. Mats are available in almost any color, though shades of white and cream are most common.
Mat cutter The machine used to cut the opening in a mat. After the outer size is cut, the mat is placed right-side down on the cutter. Multiple guards are set to the dimensions of the opening and a sharp blade is pressed into the mat and slid from one guard to the other. This process is repeated on all four sides to create the mat opening.
Mat Offset Refers to the measurement subtracted from the artwork size (width and height) to allow for the mat to overlap the image. Generally, 1/4" is subtracted from each measurement, for an overlap of 1/8" on each side.
Mat opening/mat Window The part of the mat that will be cut out the allow the image to show through. This measurement needs to be approximately 1/16" to 1/8" smaller on each dimension in order to keep the image from falling through, or the white space around the image from showing within the window.
Mat(ting) A thin, flat, paper-based board (sometimes called a "mat board")used in picture framing to separate the artwork from the glass. A window is cut into the center of the mat board, usually in a rectangle that covers the piece 1/8" on each side, creating a border around the artwork. The mat border also serves as a distraction-free "breathing space" between image and frame. Order online: Matboards
Matte - Matt - Mat A border that can be selected to surround a framed artwork between the art and the frame. The mat\'s purpose is create space between the frame and the art, and highlight the artwork. There are countless colors of mats to choose from, and the best choice will draw out the image without distracting from it. Mats come in a wide variety of makes and styles. Their thickness (identified by ply: 4-ply, 8-ply) affects how much of the white or black core will be visible in the bevelled edge around the image. They may be conservation-grade, which means they are acid-free and will not fade, yellow or cause negative chemical reactions with the artwork. In addition, mats can be layered in a double- or triple-mat border. In this case, a "reveal" of the bottom mat or two lower mats - generally 1/4 inch - provides additional decoration to the artwork. This is ideal if the artist or collector would like to highlight multiple colors or shades within the art. Browse our wide selection of matboards, guaranteed to add that perfect final touch to your photograph or artwork. To order Custom Cut Frame MatBoards click here: Custom Cut Frame MatBoards
MDF Medium density fiberboard (more commonly known as MDF) is constructed from residual wood pulp fibers, which are pressed with great force to form a wood-like board that is known for its strength and density. MDF frames are often less expensive than real wood frames, because the materials used to create them are the recycled pieces of the real wood. Though initially identifying the "medium" density, to differentiate it from firmer and softer densities, today MDF refers generally to any fiber board.
Mending tissues A transparent, thin paper with an adhesive, used to repair small tears in paper or canvas artwork. The papers are generally pressure-sensitive and acid-free, for archival repairs.
Metal frames Picture frames generally constructed of aluminum pulled through a cross section die to create a long piece of uniform molding. The frame length is then etched if the design requries, and covered with a colored coating. The lengths are then sent to the framer to for cutting and frame construction. Order online: Metal Frames
Metal French Cleats A two-piece, heavy-duty hanger used for displaying large framed artwork on the wall. Each long metal piece has screw holes on one long edge and a raised lip along the other. One piece is screwed into the back of the picture frame, with the lip facing down. The other piece is screwed into the wall with the lip facing up. The frame lip will then sit within the wall lip, securely holding the artwork. Order online: Metal French Cleats
Metric A system of measurement used in Canada, Great Britain and other non-American countries. Its units of measure include centimetres (0.4"), meters, celsius and km.
Mica In regards to picture frames, Mica actually refers to a substitute for the mineral mica, which was developed to replace the real thing in the early 20th century. Today this plastic laminate is used for flooring, countertops, and to coat mdf or wood picture frames. Mica is easy to wipe clean, heat resistant, and creates an attractive, glossy finish that many customers seek when buying a frame. Alternately, a powdered mineral used to create tempered glass. Some artists use colored forms of the powder mixed with a glaze to paint glass. When heated, the mica fuses with the glass to create a permanent coloration.
Microfiber A synthetic fiber that is thinner than the threads usually used for woven fabrics. The result is an extremely soft, absorbent cloth suitable for cleaning scratch-sensitive surfaces. Unless otherwise noted, microfiber cloths are the best choice for cleaning picture frame glass or plexiglass.
Mirror Hangers Small plastic or metal hooks with a screw hole, which are attached to the wall. The mirror is inserted behind the lip of the hanger, and is held in place with one hanger on each end. Some mirror hangers have a decorative face, and they are generally clear or translucent. Today, a great number of options exist for displaying wall mirrors securely and stylishly.
Miter A joint created by cutting two pieces of material at 45 degree angles and affixing them together to create a 90 degree corner. A miter is the most common type of corner used in picture framing.
Miter saw A saw with the blade angled at 45 degrees; used for cutting picture frame moldings that will be connected with a miter joint.
Mold/Mildew A growth that can develop on wood frames and paper left in moist areas for a long period of time. Mold and mildew can ruin artwork if not removed. Often, a mixture of bleach and water can kill off the growth and prevent it from returning.
Molding The lengths of picture framing material that will be cut and shaped into a custom-size picture frame. Moldings are made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal and Styrofoam. A picture frame molding sample will usually be a corner edge piece.
Molecular Trap Conservation picture framing products designed for archival images, consisting of a "micro-chamber" that traps and neutralizes air pollutants that can be harmful to an artwork by causing fading or deterioration.
Moore hangers Moore is a producer of various fastener products including picture hangers, push pins and framing hardware. They are located in the USA.
Morso chopper A brand of miter chopper that cuts framing and stretcher bar moldings at a 45 degree angle in preparation for joining. These machines are generally self-standing and manually operated by a foot lever
Mounting Mounting refers to the process of attaching or securing a print, artwork, photograph, or other two-dimensional object onto a backing board, mat, frame, or display surface for presentation, protection, or preservation. Mounting techniques vary depending on the size, weight, and characteristics of the object being mounted, as well as the desired display method and aesthetic preferences. Common mounting methods include dry mounting (using adhesives or heat to bond the print to a backing board), hinge mounting (attaching the print to a mat or backing board using archival hinges), float mounting (suspending the print within a frame or display case), and pressure-sensitive mounting (using adhesive sheets or tapes to adhere the print to a substrate). Proper mounting ensures that prints are securely held in place, flat, and protected from damage or deterioration over time.
Mounting Strip Another name for the group of adhesives used for hinging artwork (attaching it to a backing or mat prior to framing). Mounting strips include rice paper, double-sided tape, and hinging tissue.
Mulberry paper A specialty paper that is thin and stiff, made from the bark of the mulberry tree. It is used in various art processes including screen printing, calligraphy and clothing. It is stronger than wood pulp paper. Cheaper brands may be made from rice straw.
Multi-Opening Mat Board Any mat into which multiple viewing windows are cut. This allows more than one picture to be showcased within a single frame. Multi-opening matted images were common in the 1980s for showing family photographs, and have begun to come back in style.
Museum matboard Another term for conservation or archival-grade matboard. To qualify, matting must be acid-free in order to prevent damage to the artwork as time wears on. Our museum core matboard is made from 100% virgin cotton rag that is bleed and fade resistant and buffered with calcium carbonite. Order online: Museum Core Matboard
Museum Wrap While "gallery wrap" refers simply to the process of wrapping a canvas all the way around the stretcher bar frame and affixing it to the back, "Museum wrap" refers to the color on the drop edges (sides) of the canvas). In a museum wrap, the entire image is confined to the front of the canvas, and the sides are a solid color or white. This may be due to canvases in museums and galleries generally being frames, so the edges were never visible. There appears to be some disagreement about whether museum wrap is limited to canvases wrapped on 1 1/2" in stretcher bars, or if the depth of the bar does not matter for the designation.
Mylar A thin, transparent film made from polymers, also called "polyester film". Mylar picture corners are often used in conservation/archival picture framing because they cannot be easily seen, and do not require permanently affixing the artwork to a backing.