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L Shape Floaters A canvas floater frame style, the profile of which is an "L" shape. This type of floater frame does not have a raised step to designate the gap between frame and canvas. As a result, this frame style is generally cut 1/2" larger than the canvas to allow for the "floating" effect.
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| Lacquer A high-shine, semi-transparent or opaque liquid coating applied to wood, plastic and other surfaces, which dries hard to provide protection and tinted color. Also referred to as enamel, varnish or glaze. |
| Lamination Lamination is a process of bonding thin layers of material together to create a composite structure with improved strength, durability, and surface properties. In printing and graphic arts, lamination involves applying a thin layer of clear plastic film, such as polyester or polypropylene, to the surface of printed materials using heat and pressure. Lamination protects printed materials from moisture, abrasion, UV radiation, and other environmental factors, extending their lifespan and enhancing their appearance. Laminated prints are commonly used for outdoor signage, banners, posters, menus, ID cards, and other applications requiring durability and weather resistance. |
Landscape Orientation Refers to the angle at which the framed or canvas image is hung. Landscape oriented images are those displayed lengthwise, so that the top edge (parallel to the floor) is the long dimension of the painting, and the side edge is the short dimension.
Also referred to as "horizontal orientation".
The opposite of "portrait orientation". |
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Lap Lines Refers to the visible lines at the meeting point of picture frame edges. These lines may be at a 45 degree diagonal if the edges were mitered before joining. They may also be vertical and horizontal if lap joints were used.
May also refer to "lap marks", which are the ridges visible after painting if one section was left to dry and then overlapped when the second section was painted. |
| Lap-joint Two materials connected by overlapping. A groove is cut in the top of one piece and the bottom of the other, so they fit together and create a flush surface. |
| Lap-joint frames A frame that is connected by overlapping at the corners. A groove is cut in the top of one piece and the bottom of the other, so they fit together and create a flush surface. In a half-lap, the two pieces meet at their edges, resulting in a 90 degree outer edge. In a cross-lap, the groove of one or both pieces is set in from the edge so the corners create a cross or X design. Common in rustic-style frames. |
| Larson Juhl A frame moulding design company located in the United States. |
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Lifting (1) Lifting Out: a process of removing paint from the canvas in order to create highlights. This is done with a brush, sponge or cloth.
(2)Acrylic Gel Lift: A process by which a photographic print can be transferred to a different surface. The entire inkjet printed image can be transferred to wood, canvas, glass or stone. |
| Lignin A wood-derived polymer found in many printing papers. Papers containing lignin are not conservative (archival), because the lignin causes the paper produce acids which can damage art over time. |
| Lignin-Free Fine art papers that are not treated with the wood-derived polymer Lignin. As lignin can discolor and damage artwork overtime, lignin-free papers are usually archival and safe for conservation framing. |
| Limited Edition Print When an artist prints a run of the same image, they determine how many of that image are to be printed. If they choose to print only 100, or 1000 copies of one image, it is limited edition. Each print will usually feature the print number (34/100) and the artist's signature. The more exclusive the piece (the fewer prints), the more expensive and valuable. |
Linen Canvas Artist's canvas is make from a variety of fabrics. Linen and cotton are the most common.
Linen is more expensive. It is longer lasting, due in part to the oils retained in the canvas that keep it pliable, and less likely to expand, due to the equally weighted threads used to construct the canvas. |
Linen Liners A frame molding used within the outer molding/picture frame, sometimes called a "linen liner" or "insert". They may be covered with fabric, such as velvet or linen. Many liners are made from fully finished frame stock, including gold or silver. The liner serves the same purpose as a mat: to provide a distraction-free space between the art and the frame, and enhance the artwork.
Liners are paired with stretched and mounted canvas prints or paintings, and do not require a clear glass or acrylic cover. A liner may also be used on large, glass-covered artwork, as the largest mat size available is 32x40". If it is more than 2 1/2 inches wide, it is called a "panel".
Order online: Linen Liners |
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| Linen tape A type of cloth tape that is made from a linen top layer and a self-adhesive bottom layer. Available in archival-quality brands, it can be used for hinging (attaching the image to the backing or mat prior to framing) or for repairing damage to canvases or fine art papers. |
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Liner A frame molding used within the outer molding/picture frame, sometimes called a "linen liner" or "insert". The may be covered with fabric, such as velvet or linen. Many liners are made from fully finished frame stock, including gold or silver. The liner serves the same purpose as a mat: to provide a distraction-free space between the art and the frame, and enhance the artwork.
Liners are paired with stretched and mounted canvas prints or paintings, and do not require a clear glass or acrylic cover. A liner may also be used on large, glass-covered artwork, as the largest mat size available is 32x40". If it is more than 2 1/2 inches wide, it is called a "panel". 
Order online: Linen Liners |
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| Lip The inner edge of the picture frame, that is thinner than the rest of the frame. The lip conceals the rabbet and provides an extension that keeps the artwork from simply falling through the frame. Often, the lip of the picture frame is ornamented or painted a different color from the rest of the frame. |
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Lithograph A copy of a work that is created by the artist himself (ie: not a print created years later from a digital image).
The artist creates a mirror image of the artwork using grease pencils on stone. Oil-based ink is then applied to the piece, and bonds with the grease but avoids the uncolored areas. Canvas or paper is then laid over the plate and pressed to transfer the ink onto the material. The plate is then re-inked for the next sheet of material. |
