A friend reminded me that I promised to talk about the need for a dust cover on the back of a finished frame. You won't believe how important they are!
The first time I had a frame come in for repair without a dust cover, I was stunned by what I saw. I said nothing to the customer about it and promised her I could repair the frame (it had fallen off her wall) and replace the glass for her, no problem. Much of my time would be spent cleaning the inside of her frame.
Here's what I found in there: Lots of gritty, sandy dirt (so much so that I literally poured it out). Several dead insects (and one still living). Larvae of still more insects. Dust bunnies (and, I can only assume, dust mites, too). Glass shards (from the impact of the fall). Many rusty brad nails (used to hold the art and backing board in place, which is considered a "no-no" in framing today because--you guessed it--they rust!).
All of this mess would have been prevented had the original framer installed a dust cover on the back of the framing package. This frame was so dirty (it was most likely stored in an attic or a garage--so don't do that!), that the insects and dirt had even found their way to the front of the matting, which, after time, permanently stained the mat. The customer had to replace not only the broken glass but the stained mats and backing board as well, thanks--again--to no dust cover.
If you don't get a dust cover on your framing order, ask for it. Dust covers usually come in brown, black, white, or light blue "kraft" or Tyvek paper, and they are part of a professional frame shop's responsibility to you as their customer. Because I believe in Framing for a Lifetime (my shop slogan), a dust cover comes free on all framing orders here at the Black Iris Custom Frame Shop.
Hope to see you soon!
JoAnn
<-- Here's what happens when you don't have a dust cover!
