Boston, Glossary Of Picture Framing Terms

Glossary Of Picture Framing Terms [32]

R Rabbet (pronounced “rabbit”) The inner lip of a frame in which the picture framing materials, including the glass, mats, artwork, and backing, are held. Selecting a frame with an appropriate rabbet is an important part of the work of a professional framer.
Rabbet Depth The measurement of the space behind the inner lip of the picture frame, between the lip and the back of the frame. This is the amount of space available for the frame contents. Multiple mats and thick backing may require a deeper rabbet.
Rag board A cotton material used to make mat boards. While rag board mats are not universally acid-free, our Museum Core mats made from rag board are guaranteed conservation quality.
Ramin Ornament Ramin is a light, straw-colored hardwood used in picture framing. Some non-ramin frames are treated to imitate ramin's soft grain and color.
Ramin wood Ramin is a soft hardwood with a faint, straight grain. Generally, ramin is yellowish or almost white in color, sometimes with a gray tint. Though it is relatively easy to work with, this wood does have a tendency to splinter. Because of its lack of detail, it is a popular wood for picture framing. However, over-distribution has made less available.
Razor blade In picture framing, razor blades are used for a variety of purposes. They can be used to cut mats if a mat cutter is not available, or trim excess off prints and canvases.
Ready-made frame A frame ready for purchase as is, as opposed to a custom-made frame. Ready-made frames are usually produced in standard sizes, e.g., 8x10, 11x14, 16x20. Order online: FrameLight Metal Exhibition Frames Jersey Shadowbox Frames
Reef knots A reef knot, also called a square knot, is a type of knot commonly used to secure wire or string to the hooks at the back of a picture frame.
Reflection control glass A copyrighted term for a specific brand of non-glare picture cover glass. One side of the glass is etched (scratched) to create an uneven surface off which light is scattered, providing a matte, glare-free view of the image underneath. Order online: Plexiglass Mounting Boards
Regular mat A simple mat display within a frame, generally consisting of only one mat layer with an equal border all around and a square or rectangular viewing window. The most common regular matting color is white or an off-white shade. Order online: Matboards
Release boards Thin boards, generally cardboard, covered on both sides with a silicone coating, between which the artwork is sandwiched prior to being placed on a heat press or laminator. The boards protect the artwork from any imperfections in the press plates, forces it to lie flat, and protects the press from any adhesive transfer. The silicone coating keeps the finished artwork and its coating from sticking to the board, and keeps the board from sticking to the press.
Release Paper Laid between an adhesive and a hard surface in order to protect the hard surface from the adhesive. Once heat is applied, the release paper or film allows the adhesive product to be removed from the hard surface without residue.
Remarque A notch or series of notches cut from the inner edge of a mat. This shows additional details in the artwork that lie outside the rectangular space in which most of the image is contained, without requiring a larger rectangular viewing area to encompass the details.
Resin Coating A viscous, liquid epoxy resin is poured over the mounted paper print or reinforced stretched canvas to produce a smooth, clear surface. Once cured, the hardened resin creates a high-shine, glass-like coating that enhances color and dimension to the artwork. Order your resin coated fine art print today. Order Online: Epoxy Resin Ex-74
Restoration Cosmetic repair of an object to recreate its original appearance.
Reveal The visible part of a secondary mat that extends beyond the inner edge of the top/primary mat. In a double mat this is the bottom mat. In a triple mat, this refers to the middle and bottom mats.
Reverse Molding Also called "reverse profile". Refers to a picture frame face style in which the highest part of the frame is at the inner lip, and the face slopes or scoops away toward the outside edge. Reverse moldings can add dimension and interest to the artwork, but also risk drawing the eye away from the central image.
Reverse profile Also called "reverse molding". Refers to a picture frame face style in which the highest part of the frame is at the inner lip, and the face slopes or scoops away toward the outside edge. Reverse moldings can add dimension and interest to the artwork, but also risk drawing the eye away from the central image.
Reversible A required quality of any framing or display process carried out on conservation or archival artwork. Whatever is done to the piece must be fully reversible without any negative impact on the original piece in order for it to maintain its archival status.
RGB A color mode or system representing the primary colors that are combined to display all the colors seen on a traditional computer monitor. It stands for Red, Green, Blue.
Rice paper Used in picture framing as a hinge when attaching artwork to a mat or backing, prior to framing. Generally, rice paper is acid-free and conservation quality, which means it will not degrade or damage the artwork over time.
Rigid Backing Foam core (also called foam board) and Gatorboard can be used as backings in picture framing, to keep the artwork safe from dust and damage. Alternately, paper prints can be dry mounted onto foam core, Gatorboard or dibond (aluminum sheeting) for a frameless, laminated display. Occasionally, prints are mounted onto wood boards to provide additional support for resin coatings or plexi face mounting. Order Online: Rigid Backing Boards
Riser (1) The depth of a stretcher bar - the distance between the back and the front of the bar that translates to how far the canvas will protrude from the wall, once mounted. 1 1/2" and 3/4" are the most common riser depths. (2) A picture frame riser is a wall-affixed hanger which extends out from the wall, pushing the frame forward. Used to achieve varying depths on a display wall. (3) May also refer to the panel inserted behind an image in a frame, which moves the image forward to create a shadow and space between the backing and the image. This process is called Float Mounting.
Rising museum board Rising Museum Mounting Board is the first choice of framers, museums and conservators for the mounting, matting and preservation of fine prints and precious documents. Rising Museum Boards consist of 14 colors and manufactured with 100% cotton. The boards are acid-free, Neutral pH and buffered with calcium carbonate. Rising boards are sized for French matting and many artists use the boards for various fine art techniques such as drawing, charcoal, pastel, silkscreen and letterpress.
Robertson Screwdriver The tool used to tighten and loosen screws that have a square (Robertson) hole.
Rope frames A popular rustic frame style recognizable by a rope texture around the lip or outer edge of the picture frame face. This decoration is usually created by the addition of carved wood or clay on the original flat surface, creating a relief design.
Round-top bumpers An adhesive or pushpin-style rubber guard that is affixed to each bottom corner of the finished canvas or framed artwork to keep the corners from scratching the wall when hung. They are a half-sphere shape Order online: Bumpers
Rounded frames Any square or rectangular picture frame with corners that are not square. A rounded picture frame will still maintain the straight lines between the corners (not yet oval or round).
Rounded Top Metal Frames Any aluminum picture frame moulding style that features a rounded face instead of a flat face. This curve will continue around the face onto the drop edge of the frame, as well. We have a wide selection of round top metal frames available.
Rub-N-Buff A brand name coating made from carnauba wax and pigment that can be easily applied to a surface with a cloth, and buffed into a tinted shine. It can be used to restore antiques or to alter the appearance of a picture frame.
Rubber pads Also called bumpers or bumps, these half sphere, self-adhesive pads are placed in the bottom corners of a picture frame or canvas print to keep it from scratching or scuffing the wall when hung. Foam bumpers are also available. Order online: Bumpers
Rustic wood Any picture frame featuring a distressed, natural wood frame face. Generally, the wood texture will be preserved or recreated - not sanded smooth - for added dimensions. These frames are best suited to rural or nature artwork.