Textile Framing

If you need a textile framing, you want to feel re-assured that the framer you entrust this work to will treat the item with care and use the correct materials and techniques to make sure that the item is not compromised or damaged.

Textile framing is a specialist area of framing. Fabric items need to be supported and where required, stretched correctly in order to make them look their best within the frame.

Which methods are used for textile framing?

As with any framing, there are many ways of approaching it. Some methods are a lot better than others. At Seagull Gallery, the main concern is to make sure that the item we are framing for you is not altered in any way by the framing process. The most appropriate way of framing your item will be discussed with you and options for supporting your item could include:

• Lacing (the best method for lightly tensioning fabric over a support board)
• Tight Fit – suitable for silks or fine materials which may show “stress marks” if tension is applied.
• Pinning
• Stitching to a support cloth or board

There are other ways, such as gluing, taping or using commercial plastic tabs, but these methods are more risky in terms of damaging the textile and may not be reversible, so are only undertaken with specific agreement from the customer.

How should I prepare my textile before bringing it for framing?

You need to bring the textile already prepared for framing. As framers, it is our job to protect and display the artwork. We do not get involved in any cleaning or tidying up of the textile prior to it being framed, so if there is any dirt, damage or stray stitches, you will need to deal with these first.