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There are several reasons to consider framing without glass:

1) The artist or framer can make a professional-looking presentation of the silk with no barrier between the viewer and the painting.

2) There are ways of framing without glass that are considerably less expensive than traditional framing procedures.

Wrap-stretching

One effective method of framing without glass is wrap-stretching of the silk over a rigid support. In the same manner as canvas is stretched over a wooden frame (light-weight interlocking strips from any art supply), the silk can be pulled tautly across the frame

and stapled to the back side, creating a finished edge.

Before the silk is stretched, a layer of fabric (linen from an art supply store is naturally archival and a good choice) must be attached to the frame; pulled tautly and stapled to back. This prevents the silk from direct contact with the wood, which is acidic.

Extra care must be taken in handling a painting because the edges are more vulnerable without a frame. Also, direct sunlight may damage the painting over time.

However, the obvious comparison to how oil paintings, for instance, are presented also gives paintings on silk more credibility as fine art.

Open Frame

A quarter inch groove is cut around the edge of the frame. The silk painting is tensioned and held in place by a cord that is pushed into the groove – much like a screen window. This kind of framing can be used as an interior frame to a larger more ornate frame.

Framing this way has the advantage that it is light and can be used to present larger paintings. The silk painting retains its textile nature. In fact it seems to breathe as one walks by. The main disadvantage is that there is no glass that protects it from dirt and light. Open framing costs about $2 per linear foot.