Glossary of terms

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FACTS guide for permanence in mat and mounting boards

[http://www.artfacts.org/standards/expmmb_2000.html]
A guide to the composition and characteristics of paper, mat and mounting boards used for preservation applications.

Filmoplast P90 tape

Brand name linen tape used for hinging artwork. A self adhesive tape with a high tear resistance and is pH neutral.

Filmoplast P tape

Brand name tape used to repair torn paper or to hinge very thin or semi-transparent, lightweight artwork.

Filmoplast SH tape

Brand name tape used for strength. Ideal for hinging mat board to backing board.

floating artwork

Matting technique where the mat board does not overlap the artwork. The artwork is adhered directly on the mat board with its edges exposed. It appears to "float" within the frame instead of having the mat board window covering its edges.

foam core

Stiff, lightweight material used as a backing (mounting) board to give rigidity to the image. Foam makes up the center of the board with a layer of paper on its surfaces. Foam core is usually 3/16 to 1/8" thick, and is very smooth.

foxing

Reddish brown patches found on artwork that was not framed using conservation materials. This is caused by a combination of metallic salts, high humidity and high temperatures.

frame pair

One frame pair is equal to two frame sections. Two pairs make one frame.

friction fit

All the levels of a mat board have exactly the same dimensions, so that they stack perfectly, one of top of another.

glazing

A sheet of transparent material (glass or acrylic) placed within the frame and in front of the artwork to protect the art from dust, bugs, and other sources of contamination.

hardware

Describes the brackets, metal or plastic that are used to assemble a metal or wood frame.

hinging

Procedure where a strip of tape (Filmoplast) folded and attached to the artwork and then to the backing board or mat board. As a rule you want to use a tape that is weaker than the artwork so that if the artwork is pulled the tape will tear, not the artwork.

image size

This is the size of the actual image, not the surrounding border. Unless part of the border is to be shown, the window of the mat should be smaller than the image size in order for it to be attached to the back of the mat.

lignin

The binding material in plants that gives them their strength and rigidity. Paper that contains lignin, such as newsprint, will turn yellow quickly when exposed to light, heat and humidity. Lignin will degrade paper (causing discoloration and brittleness) and photographs (causing staining, fading mirroring and spotting).

lignin-free

To be considered lignin-free, paper can contain a maximum of 1% lignin.

linen tape, Filmoplast

Tape containing a linen surface with an adhesive backing. Often use in hinging artwork.

linen liner

An inner frame that is wrapped in a white or natural colored linen material. Most commonly use within a larger frame to offset the frame from the artwork.