What is a Spacer?
The majority of frames are four-sided and require four spacers, one for each side. Circular or other shaped frames could have only one spacer, as we generally carve these in one piece for aesthetic reasons.
A spacer is a device used in framing to hold the glass away from the artwork. This may be necessary because the artwork is three-dimensional, such as football boots, a carpet, a sculpture, or a garment. It could also be due to an artwork having textured paint.
Another crucial reason for using picture frame spacers is that it is best practice to have an air gap between the artwork and the glass. Picture frames are not usually air-tight, so they contain air with varying moisture levels. If the temperature changes, moisture can condense inside the frame, potentially wrinkling the artwork. Frame spacers are used to minimise these issues.
Types of Spacers
Spacers can be made from paper-wrapped wood, spray-painted Tulip wood, mountboard or acid-free acrylic. Spacers are slim pieces inserted behind the rebate (or frame lip). They keep the glass away from the artwork, protecting it and minimising potential moisture issues. They come in various custom and standard sizes: wooden spacers are commonly 12mm and 20mm, while acrylic spacers are available in 1.5mm, 3mm and 6mm. The 1.5mm and 3mm acrylic spacers are very hard to see in the finished frame and perform the job of keeping an air gap without being particularly noticeable.
Benefits of Using Picture Frame Spacers
Like any addition to a picture frame, spacers do increase the costs, but they protect your artwork and can also be used to create a modern style that looks great with prints and photos, especially when framed “straight to edge.” To recap, spacers fulfil three main functions:
- Provide an air gap between artwork and glass.
- Support the glass where the artwork or object is not flat.
- Enhance the framing style by “pushing back” the artwork to the frame’s rear.
Types of Wood and Acrylic Spacers
The 12mm and 20mm wooden spacers we use are all wrapped with acid-free paper and come in three colours: white, cream (really an off-white), and black. Lager spacers are also available “off the shelf” from our suppliers in 3m lengths. These are generally made from soft, grainy obeche wood and painted in either white or black.
We don’t tend to use these unless the client demands them. When non-standard spacers are required, we mill these ourselves to exact specifications from Tulip wood and finish them to either match the frame colour and finish or the mountboard inside. We can also custom spray spacers to match our custom-sprayed frames.