What Is a Float and Raise in Picture Framing?
The short answer
A float and raise is a contemporary way of mounting artwork where we lift the piece up off the backing so its edges stay visible and it appears to hover, with a soft shadow underneath. It's ideal for watercolours, prints and other works on paper, especially when you want a deckled or torn edge to show. It's also one of the most conservation-friendly ways to frame, because the artwork is never permanently stuck down.
If that sounds a bit technical, don't worry. Here's what it all means, in plain English.
What is a float and raise?
Normally, a piece of art sits behind a mat (the card border you see around a picture), which overlaps the edges of the artwork and holds it in place.
With a float (sometimes called a float mount), there's no overlapping mat. The artwork sits on top of a backing board, so you can see the whole piece, edge to edge, with a border of space around it. It looks like it's floating.
With a raise, we lift the artwork up off the backing board, by up to 5mm, using archival foam tucked behind it. This creates a soft drop shadow around the piece, which gives it depth and makes it really stand out.
Put the two together and you get a clean, modern, almost three-dimensional look that's a style all of its own.
For the curious: you won't see the foam once the piece is framed. We usually set it back about 10mm from the edge of the artwork so it stays hidden. If we need to go closer to the edge, we cut the foam with a "reverse bevel", an angled edge that slopes away from the artwork so it's even harder to spot.
What is a deckled edge, and why does it suit a float and raise?
A deckled edge is the soft, feathery, uneven edge you find on handmade or traditionally made paper. Instead of a crisp machine-cut line, the fibres of the paper form a natural, slightly ragged border. It's a lovely detail, and often a sign of quality paper.
Covering a deckled edge with a mat would hide it. A float and raise lets that edge be seen and celebrated, and the shadow underneath shows off its texture.
Is a float and raise a conservation-friendly way to frame?
Yes, and it's the part we love most. Instead of glue or sticky tape, we attach the piece using reversible tabs, small hinges made from acid-free materials that can be removed without damaging the artwork. If you ever want to take the piece out, reframe it, or pass it on, it comes out cleanly, just as it went in.
We also use acid-free backing boards and mounting materials throughout. Ordinary card and paper contain acids that can slowly yellow and weaken artwork over time. Acid-free materials don't, so your piece stays protected for years to come.
Why does a float and raise need a box frame and a spaced fit?
A float and raise needs more room than a standard frame can give, so we use a deeper frame, often called a box frame, along with what we call a spaced fit.
In a spaced fit, we place spacers (thin strips of wood or foam) inside the frame, between the glass and the rest of the framing package. They lift the glass higher, leaving extra space in front of the artwork. That extra room allows for the raise, and just as importantly, it means the glass never touches the artwork. Glass pressing against paper can cause it to stick, ripple, or be marked by moisture over time, so that gap is an important protection.
What artwork suits a float and raise?
It's perfect for watercolours, deckled-edge paper, original works on paper, prints, and anything you'd like to keep reversible.
Float and raise: your questions answered:
Can the artwork be removed from a float and raise frame? Yes. Because we use reversible, acid-free tabs rather than glue or tape, the artwork can be taken out again without damage.
Will the glass touch my artwork? No. A box frame and a spaced fit leave a gap between the glass and the artwork, so the glass never touches it.
Will I see the foam behind the artwork? No. The archival foam sits behind the artwork and is set back from its edges so it stays hidden once framed.
Is a float and raise only for pieces with deckled edges? Not at all. Deckled edges suit it especially well, but it's also a lovely, modern look for prints and other works on paper where you want to see the whole piece.
Thinking of a float and raise for your artwork?
If you're not sure whether it's right for your piece, pop into our studio at 82 Newton Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland, and we'll talk it through with you. We're happy to show you examples and help you choose the best way to frame your artwork.