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Ordering Chops and Frames
Fine Art Care and Treatment Standards (FACTS) has published a document detailing how to order chops and frames. Here are the highlights.
| Shall |
A provision is mandatory |
| Should |
A provision is not mandatory, but recommended as good practice |
| May |
A provision is optional |
| Allowance |
Difference between the size of the objects being framed and the inside dimension of the frame |
| Designations |
Terms that shall be used when orders for chops or frames differ from the 1/8" standard allowance |
| Frame Size |
Measurement across the back of the frame rabbet (see diagram 1) |
| Rabbet |
Cut-out portion of the back of a frame that supports the art package (see diagram 2) |
| Back Rabbet |
Rear-most rabbet in a moulding with a double rabbet (see diagram 3) |
| Double Rabbet |
Moulding with a typical rabbet near the front and an additional rabbet near the back that supports the art or decorative backing |
| Inner Frame / Liner |
Secondary frame inside of another frame |
| Stacked Frame |
Frame assembly made of more than one frame |
| Exact Size |
Ordered size − no allowance |
| Outside Size |
Overall outside frame size (see diagram 2 or diagram 3) |
| Sight Size |
Measurement across the innermost opening of a frame (see diagram 2 or diagram 3) |
| Fit Outside |
Fit around a liner or frame (see diagram 4 or diagram 5) |
- The chop or frame supplier shall measure to the inside of the rabbet unless otherwise designated.
- Mouldings with double rabbets shall be measured to the inside of the front rabbet
- A standard allowance of 1/8" shall be added to all ordered sizes. Any other instructions shall use a designated term (see How to Order).
| Frame Size |
Orders shall be cut to the innermost rabbet with the standard 1/8" allowance added. If the back rabbet size is most important the order shall state "Frame Size to Back Rabbet." The cut shall have standard 1/8" allowance. (see diagram 1) |
| Exact Size |
No allowance shall be added |
| Sight Size |
Cut to the inside moulding lip; no allowance shall be added (see diagram 1 and diagram 2) |
| Fit Outside |
Fit around liners or inner frames, which should be ordered the size of the artwork/glazing package (see diagram 4 and diagram 5) |
| Outside Size |
Cut to the outermost dimension; no allowance shall be added (see diagram 1 and diagram 2) |
