At first glance, inexpensive framing feels like a win. You spend less, get your piece up on the wall, and walk away thinking you’ve scored a bargain. But cheap framing carries hidden costs that don’t always show up right away. Over time, those shortcuts can damage what you were trying to protect in the first…

When you frame a piece, whether it’s a photograph, a diploma, or an original painting, you expect the frame to protect it. But the wrong materials, especially the wrong matting and backing, can slowly destroy the very thing you wanted to preserve. The mistake is subtle, and it hides in plain sight: using materials that…