PrintMaker Studio · Art glass guide
A clearer view of your work.
Choose the glazing with the same care as the frame.
Glass affects how you see an artwork and how it is protected. Here’s why we recommend considering anti-reflective art glass, and how to choose the right option for your project.
Understand the choices ↓Think about a dark photograph facing a bright room. Reflections of windows, lights or the viewer can compete with the image. The question is not whether the print has enough detail; it is how comfortably you can see that detail once it is framed.
Regular clear glass can still be a practical choice when cost is the priority and reflections are acceptable in the intended position. We recommend comparing an anti-reflective sample over your own image, particularly if it has deep shadows or delicate tonal transitions.
Groglass specifies Artglass AR70 as low-iron glass with anti-reflective coatings, less than 1% reflection and 70% UV protection. It can retain a faint reflection tint at some angles; “anti-reflective” does not mean invisible in every light.
Source: Groglass · Artglass AR70 specifications ↗Compare under real conditions
Look from straight ahead and from the side. Consider the windows and lights opposite the finished frame. Move the sample over a dark area as well as a pale one. We can help you compare what changes and whether that difference matters for your work.
UV filtering and reflection reduction are separate properties. Groglass lists AR99 Water White with 99% UV protection and less than 1% reflection, while UV99 offers 99% UV protection with approximately 8% reflection. These examples show why the exact product matters.
| Glazing | Reflection | UV protection | Conversation to have |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular clear glass | More visible reflections | Check the specific product | Budget and display position |
| Artglass AR70 | <1% | 70% | Clarity with partial UV filtering |
| Artglass AR99 Water White | <1% | 99% | Clarity with higher UV filtering |
| Artglass UV99 | About 8% | 99% | Higher UV filtering without the same reflection reduction |
Percentages describe the manufacturer’s specified test conditions, not the percentage of all light blocked or a guarantee against fading. We’ll confirm the exact product, size, availability and quote for your frame.
Tell us whether the work is an original, a limited-edition print, a family photograph or a reproduction. Its personal importance matters alongside its market value. Also tell us where it will hang and whether it will travel.
When AR70 is worth discussing
If your main concern is distracting reflections, AR70 is a useful starting point for the conversation. We can compare it with regular glass and explain the difference in the proposed frame’s cost.
When to discuss higher UV filtering
For a valuable, irreplaceable or light-sensitive piece, make protection an explicit part of the brief. Ask about glazing with higher UV filtering and an appropriate framing package. The choice should consider the work, display conditions and budget together.
When glass may not be the only option
For a large frame or a work that will be shipped, discuss acrylic as well as glass. Weight, breakage, static and the surface of the artwork affect suitability. Acrylic should not be treated as a universal substitute, particularly around loose or friable media.
Source: Canadian Conservation Institute · Glazing materials ↗Bring the whole project
A glass upgrade cannot decide the paper, mat, spacing or hanging location for you. We can help coordinate those choices from the first print through the finished frame.
No glazing makes every artwork safe in direct sunlight. UV filtering does not remove the effects of all visible light, and long exposure still matters. Consider a position away from direct sun and discuss the needs of sensitive work before choosing a display location.
Keep the artwork separated from the glazing with an appropriate mat or spacers. For delicate or irreplaceable pieces, ask about the complete framing construction rather than choosing glass in isolation.
Source: Canadian Conservation Institute · Framing and display ↗Cleaning AR70
Groglass recommends an ammonia-free cleaner applied to a soft microfiber cloth. Follow the instructions for the exact glazing in your frame; do not assume every coated glass or acrylic accepts the same products.
Source: Groglass · AR70 cleaning guidance ↗Questions to bring to the studio
- Which exact glazing product is included in the quote?
- Does it reduce reflections, filter UV, or both?
- Can I compare samples over my artwork?
- What suits the size, display location and shipping plan?
- How should I clean and handle the finished frame?
Full-service printmaking · Vancouver
Let the work come forward.
Bring your image and tell us where it will hang. We’ll help you compare the glass, frame and presentation before you decide.