Deckle Edge Paper

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​Paper and heavier weight boards are generally available in two basic finishes designated as  "hot" or "cold" press which determines the final finish quality of the paper.  Hot Press papers are much smoother and better for detailed work such as technical illustrations and pen and ink.  Cold Press creates a rougher textured surface which I prefer for art.  The roughness of surface is also described as the paper's tooth.

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While I sometimes paint over the entire surface of a deckle edge sheet, from edge to edge, I generally prefer to tape off the edges so that they form a white border around the paper.  This boarder "blocking" method is something I personally prefer to do and not typical of all artists.

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Framing Works on Paper

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There is no single best way to frame art on paper.  With works on deckle edge paper I personally like to "float" the whole sheet in the frame rather than hiding the deckle edges behind a mat or the lip of a frame.

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Works on paper are almost always framed under glass or plexiglass to protect the surface, though I have seen some paper works left uncovered, sometimes being glued to a board or wood backing and protected by varnish.  This is a less durable method but does avoid glare caused by  glass reflections. 

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There are some non-glare or less-glare glass and plexiglass materials but many tend to be a bit blurry and are also quite expensive for their value.  A good UV-coated glass is advisable for paper works and prints to protect from fading, especially of the work is exposed at all to direct sunlight even for a short time during the day

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The best way to mitigate glare from a glass surface is by proper lighting.  Using spot light on an angle from the painting will reduce natural glare and highlight the art much better than works not lit in this way.  Good lighting on art really brings out the colors and makes the art much more appealing to the viewer.