Frequently Asked Questions
Artizom in Charleston just off of King St Extension (on the neck). Our street address is 1834 Summerville Ave. That’s past Workshop & before Southern Lumber. The surrounding area is under development, so sorry for any inconvenience. We are excited about being in our new space for many years to come.
Yes. Most things that people ask if we can frame, we can. We’ve framed needlepoint, sport jerseys, currency, plates, jewelry, and even a wedding gown.
No, but we do have several conservators that we work very closely with. We can then try to prevent further damage by using archival materials and mounting techniques.
Works on paper that were framed many years ago may have sustained damage from acidic materials such as cardboard backings and masking tape. Things to look out for are yellowing matboards, artwork that is yellowing around the edges, and cardboard visible from the back of the frame.
Our turnaround time is 2 weeks. Some special order frames take longer.
Artizom requires at least a 50% deposit on all orders. Your balance is due at completion of your order.
Yes. We do not clean or iron/steam fabrics. If there are stains or wrinkles that you would like removed, we suggest you have them treated by a professional before bringing your textile to us. Please be aware some textiles may be too old and/or delicate to withstand cleaning and pressing.
Archival Framing
Artizom offers museum quality archival framing. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose materials that will best protect your valuable artwork. For original works of art, we recommend:
Cotton rag board serves two functions. First, the thickness of the board ensures that the glass will not touch the face of the art. Second, the cotton is pH neutral, allowing for any acid migration to be retained in the matting rather than the artwork.
UV glass not only protects the art from dust and debris, but also harmful UV rays that cause color fading. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose materials that will best protect your valuable artwork.
The goal of the framer is to have as little impact on the piece of art as possible. Archival quality linen or rice paper hinges, photo corners, and cotton mats are highly recommended form mounting.
Caring For Your Artwork At Home
Most avoidable causes of damage in Charleston are usually associated with high humidity and temperature level. Humidity levels exceeding 65% RH promote the growth of mold and speed up the general deterioration of paper.
- Attic (heat, humidity, leaks)
- Basement (humidity, moisture, flooding)
- Exterior Walls or Porches (moisture, external temperature, humidity)
- Fireplaces (temperature)
- Bathrooms (humidity, moisture)
- Having it framed with UV filtering glass
- Hanging your art where it will not be exposed to direct natural or flourescent lighting
- Rotating your artwork so that it gets a break from strong direct light
Damage from light is cumulative and irreversible. For valuable artwork, you should use a combination of the precautions listed above in order to protect your investment. Many pieces of art that were framed several decades ago were framed with non-archival materials. Many of these works have suffered from deterioration caused by acids in matboards, adhesives and backings. You can prevent further damage to such works by having these materials replaced with acid-free versions. If the artwork is valuable it may also be a good idea to see if a conservator can repair or minimize any damage. For more information about preserving your artwork or to find a conservator visit The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.