key
A triangular wedge of wood or plastic inserted into the grooves at the inside corners of a stretcher frame. Used to tighten the canvas by expanding the stretcher frame joints. Kraft paper
Strong wrapping paper, usually brown, made from wood chips boiled in an alkaline solution containing sodium sulfate. Comes on a roll in different weights and widths. lacquer
(n) A protective coating consisting of a resin or cellulose ester or both, which is dissolved in a volatile solvent sometimes with a pigment added. (v) To cover with a coating to produce a smooth, hard finish. leafed
A frame or object that has had gold, silver or metal leaf applied to it. lift mat
To raise or elevate the window mat off the artwork by means of spacers made of mat board or foam board strips attached to the mounting board or the underside of the mat and not visible. limited edition
The issue of something collectible, such as prints, limited to a certain quantity of numbered copies. The first number indicates the number of the piece; the second number indicates the total quantity of the edition, e.g., 135/250. liner
1) A frame molding used within the outer molding. May be covered with fabric, often velvet or linen. Many liners are made from fully finished frame stock, including gold or silver. Sometimes called an insert. If over 2 1/2 inches wide, called a panel. 2) Inner mats and fillets are also called liners. lithograph
A generic term used to designate a print made by a planographic process, such as an original lithograph done on a lithographic stone or a commercial print made by a photo-mechanical process lithography
The traditional planographic printing method which involves drawing or painting with greasy crayons or inks on a limestone block. The surface is then moistened with water. An oily ink is applied to the stone and adheres only to the drawing. The ink is repelled by the water which has soaked into the areas around the drawing. The print is pulled by pressing paper against the inked drawing, using a press. Variations of the technique are widely used in commercial reproductions. magenta
A printer’s name for red, in the four-colour additive printing system which includes cyan, yellow and black. (8) mahogany
A tree which grows in West Africa, South and Central America; the wood is quite soft and light weight; has a coppery-red colour. Valued for its colour, workability and because it does not shrink or warp. maple
A tree which grows in northeastern North America; the wood is hard, heavy and strong; the colour varies from pale greyish to yellowish white. It is not durable for outdoor use, but is the best of all woods for flooring. Marquette
In sculpture, a small scale model. mat(ting)
(window mat) A border, usually made from mat board, placed around a print, photograph, etc., to serve as a spacer or separation between the picture and the frame. mat board
A multi-ply board usually comprised of a core, adhesive, facing and backing paper. Commonly four-ply, but available in other thickness. May be rag board or made of wood fibre. The surface paper comes in a wide variety of colours. In framing, used to make the window mat and as a mounting board for artwork. mat cutter
A tool for cutting the window opening in a mat. May be a small hand-held tool or include various levels of sophistication with regard to guide bar, measuring devices, fittings for special effects, oval cutting capability and possibly hydraulic clamps. medium
1) The specific tool and material used by an artist, e.g., brush and oil paint, chisel and stone. 2) The mode of expression employed by an artist, e.g., painting, sculpture, the graphic arts. 3) A liquid that may be added to a paint to increase its manipulability without decreasing its adhesive, binding or film-forming properties. memorabilia
Collection of objects that have a sentimental value. metal sectional frame
A frame of anodised extruded aluminium sections. mezzotint
An intaglio process in which the plate is pitted all over with a tool called a "rocker." By scraping or burnishing the raised burrs, gradations of light and shade may be produced in the printed image. Mezzotints are characterized by a rich, velvet overall appearance with numerous tonal ranges. mint condition
Describes artwork which is in the same condition as it was when originally finished, printed, etc. Taken from coinage, in the same condition as it was when it was minted mirror hanger
A heavy duty hanging device attached to the back of a frame with screws, characterized by having a holding ring at the top through which a thin, narrow metal strip has been passed and folded in half. mitre (mitre)
To cut frame molding on an angle for joining to other mitred pieces. moiré
(mwa-ray) A lustrous watermark of wavy design placed on fabric by passing it through heated ridged rollers under pressure. Makes an attractive fabric pattern covering for mats. monochromatic
A painting or drawing of different shades of one colour. mono print
A one-of-a-kind print made by painting on a sheet or slab and transferring the still wet painting to a sheet of paper by a hand method; if the painting is done on a metal sheet, it may be run through a press. motif
A distinctive and recurring form, shape or figure. molding
Wood or metal which has been refined and shaped and which includes a rabbet for use in the framing industry as frame stock. mounting board
A surface, substrate or secondary support to which any art or object is attached. non-glare glass
Glass which has been etched on one or both sides, which defuses the light, resulting in a minimum of glare and reflection. oak
A tree that grows in northern countries; the wood is hard, heavy, has a strong distinctive grain and is very acidic. Most oak has a yellowish brown colour.offset-lithography
A process in which the printed image is transferred, or offset, from one roller or plate to another and then transferred to the printing paper. Offset lithographs should be termed reproductions rather than originals prints. This process eliminates the need to draw the image in reverse on the stone or plate. oil paint
Artists’ colours made by dispersing pigments in linseed oil or another vegetable drying oil and having the consistency of a smooth paste. open edition
An edition having an unlimited number of prints in it. original
A unique piece of artwork that cannot be exactly duplicated, e.g., an oil painting on canvas. While the image may be duplicated as a print, the reproduction is not oil paint on canvas. ornate
Heavily ornamented, overly adorned, showy. oval frame
A frame with an elliptical shape. oval mat
A mat with an elliptical opening; may have an oval or rectangular perimeter. overlay
In animation art, a portion of a scene, generally a foreground element, painted on or applied to a cel and laid over the action to create the illusion of depth. oversize
Describes the size of a frame or materials that are larger than standard 32- by 40-inch mat board.
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