Custom Framing Mastery: How Thoughtful Matting Brings Connection and Beauty to Everyday Living

At Underglass Custom Picture Framing in San Francisco, we’ve spent 40 years perfecting the craft of custom framing  and sometimes, the most powerful design statement isn’t the frame itself, but the matting that surrounds the art.

For a recent project, we had the pleasure of framing Katsunori Hamanishi’s Winter Fireworks, a striking mezzotint print by the renowned Japanese artist known for his exquisite tonal precision and poetic restraint. The artwork’s moody atmosphere and subtle play of light called for a design that would honor its quiet strength while giving it space to breathe.

We began with two mats: a bold 8-ply antique white top mat that provides depth and a beautifully clean edge, and a mocha-green undermat revealed just slightly to pick up the delicate hues within the print. The mocha tone, with its black core, adds drama, a quiet echo of night shadows and the art’s contemplative tone.

To frame it all, we chose a sleek walnut Purpleheart frame, a rich wood that complements the natural warmth of the mats while enhancing the contemporary feel of the composition. We kept a generous 2½-inch border between the print and frame, emphasizing the artwork’s elegant, elongated proportions and allowing the piece to truly command attention.

For clarity and protection, the design was finished with Optium Museum Acrylic providing exceptional viewing quality while preserving the print from UV light and environmental factors.

The result is a museum quality presentation that reflects the precision of Hamanishi’s artistry and the thoughtful craftsmanship that defines our work at Underglass. It’s not just about preservation, it’s about connection, beauty, and the joy of living with art every day.

If you have a piece you love — whether it’s a fine print, a family heirloom, or something fresh from your favorite SF gallery our design team would love to help you bring it to life with a frame that’s as unique as your art.

📍 Visit us in the Castro, or start your custom framing consultation today.
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