The M.C.P. F. represents the highest level of skill, expertise and knowledge of best practices designated by the Professional Picture Framer’s Association.
When you are evaluating using one picture framer over another, an important consideration is their level of expertise and qualifications. For many picture framers, being a framer is something they came to after a previous career and they look at it as a business that stems from a hobby. While these framers may offer a nice selection of frames and sometimes a low price tag, they can often do more harm than good in regards to framing anything of personal or monetary value unless they have acquired proper training and education. Even those who began their career as a framer earlier in their life, if not properly educated and continuing to keep up on the latest developments can utilize improper and sometimes damaging practices. In order to avoid having a precious item damaged or compromised, it is best to look for a framer that has the initials C.P.F. or better still M.C.P.F. after their name. These stand for Certified Picture Framer and Master Certified Picture Framer and are titles given by the Professional Picture Framers Association (P.P.F.A.) after completing testing and continuing education.
A C.P.F. can be applied for after having one year of experience in the framing industry. The title is earned after taking a four-hour test that demonstrates knowledge of proper framing practices, materials and art handling techniques. In order to maintain the title, the framer must take re-certification classes and continuing education every four years. A framer with a current title of C.P.F. has a solid theoretical knowledge of proper framing techniques and materials.
An M.C.P.F. can be applied for after being a C.P.F. for four years and fulfilling all continuing educational requirements. In order to be designated with the M.C.P.F., the candidate must complete a rigorous testing process that includes both practical hands-on demonstration of the highest standards of preservation/conservation framing and a written demonstration of that knowledge. The testing procedure involves the testing committee sending the applicant four pieces of artwork – a work on paper, a work on canvas, an object and a textile piece. In the applicants own workshop, they must frame each of these to the highest standards of conservation framing. They must fill out an extensive condition report, detailing what materials and techniques they are using and why. Once these pieces are completed, the applicant must bring them with their reports to the designated testing site. There, a panel of judges will dismantle each piece and examine it closely, sometimes as extreme as putting elements under a microscope to verify the accuracy of the report. In this exam they are determining the procedures and materials used. While the judges are performing this examination, the applicant is given a fifth piece to complete in 90 minutes at an on-site temporary workshop. The same standards must be upheld in this timed piece. Part of the reasoning behind the timed segment is to assure that the applicant is the one who indeed performed the framing on the other four pieces. The judges use a 100 point system for evaluating each piece – taking off points for any detail that is in any way not complying with standards. The lowest total score allowed is 94%. If all the pieces, after judging, come in above 94% then the title M.C.P.F. is given. Currently there are less than 60 M.C.P.F.’s in the world. In order to maintain that designation, they must complete continuing education every four years. A framer with the title M.C.P.F., not only knows the highest standards of preservation/conservation framing, but has demonstrated them without a doubt to a certifying board.
What does all of this mean to you, a consumer? It’s simple, while anyone can say they are a good framer, or that they do “museum quality framing” or words to that effect, if they have the initials C.P.F. or M.C.P.F. behind their name, they truly know their stuff. Without the initials? Well, they may be a competent framer, or they may not be. They may think they are doing the right thing, but not know any better. Obviously if you’re having an inexpensive poster framed to hang in your office, a framers experience may not mean anything at all as long as you like what you get. But if you have something of value to you, whether personal or monetarily, trust it someone who knows what they’re doing. Work with someone who has demonstrated that by taking the time, effort and expense to acquire professional certification. The lifelong enjoyment of whatever you have framed will be worth it.
