All aspects of art handling are executed with preservation and care in mind. Art endures the highest risks during its display in places with heavy traffic (e.g., galleries or audacious art fairs) and transportation. That’s why art owners seek advanced safety solutions that can protect their precious belongings from accidental human error and damage. One of such solutions is shadowboxing art; here are the details of what this framing method means and how it’s performed.

What Is a Shadowbox Frame?

When you think of shadowboxing, images of sports activities might be the first to come to your mind. Yet, the practice of shadowboxing is also common in the art sphere, where it’s used for artwork protection and as a distinct aesthetic method. In two words, it’s a protective framing method that positions art objects at a distance from the glazing. It looks more interesting than conventional frames because of the depth and dimensionality achieved with the help of shadowboxing.

When Should You Resort to Shadowboxing Art?

Shadowboxing is popular among art owners whose art assets have delicate and vulnerable surfaces. This framing method suits pastels, charcoal drawings, and art objects with friable pigments. A shadow box is also suitable for textured 3D works and mixed-media art, such as reliefs and paper-based art objects with uneven surfaces.

It is commonplace to use shadowboxing with archival documents, textiles, and personal artifacts stored in open display. This method also guarantees conservation-grade storage and display due to its ability to keep humidity and airflow under control. Another popular practice is shadowboxing art for transportation. In this case, the art object is protected from impact and avoids glazing pressure in transit.

How Is Shadowboxing Performed? Your Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to shadowbox your art, use this professional guide to perform the task.

• Assess the art object’s condition and choose the correct depth and spacing for the shadow box.
• Build a rigid frame.
• Mount the artwork.
• Install spacers to protect the art object from movement.
• Choose UV-filtering glazing.
• Seal the shadow box.

As you can see, the process of shadowboxing is quite meticulous, requiring specialized expertise in art handling and framing. If you lack this knowledge, it’s better to contact a local framing shop for professional services. Experienced art framers will help you create a truly unique artwork that is sure to catch the eye of everyone who sees it.