The PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip (SKU S11) is the flagship spring clip in XKY Framing’s flat-body range. With a 52 mm total length — the maximum in the PW family — and a wide 14–16 mm foot, it delivers the greatest spring travel, the most stable seating, and the highest holding force of any flat-body clip in the catalogue. It is the definitive choice for large frames, heavy glass panels, deep content stacks, and professional conservation framing in the 50–80 cm format range.
Maximum Spring Travel: The Core Advantage of the PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip
Spring travel — the distance a clip can flex before engaging the rabbet lip — determines how thick a content stack the clip can accommodate. The PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip’s 52 mm body provides the greatest spring travel in the XKY flat-body range, approximately 50% more than the PW22 (47 mm) and 57% more than the PW20 (33 mm). This maximum spring travel translates to two concrete advantages: accommodation of the thickest content stacks (up to approximately 18 mm), and maintenance of consistent spring force across the full stack depth range — from thin to thick — without the clip either bottoming out or losing tension.
For professional conservation framers who work with archival glass, spacers, museum-quality mat board, original artwork and foam board backing — content stacks that can easily reach 12–18 mm — the PW16’s generous spring travel is not a luxury but a necessity.
Wide-Foot Stability for Large Mouldings
The S11’s foot spans 14–16 mm in width, the broadest foot in the PW flat-body clip family. This wide foot is purpose-designed for large moulding rabbets — typically 15–20 mm wide in large-format hardwood frames — where a narrow foot would leave excessive lateral play, allowing the clip to rock or shift during content loading. The wide foot fills the rabbet channel, providing a stable, rattle-free seat that remains secure during frame transport and wall hanging.
Complete Specifications
Material: 0.5 mm stainless steel | Total length: 52 mm | Body width: 10 mm | Head slot: 10×7 mm | Body slot: 4×10 mm | Foot: 15×16 mm | Tip width: 14 mm | Tail: 6 mm | Weight: 1.4 g | Style: large angled tip, maximum spring travel.
Installation of the PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip
For large frames, work on a large padded table or carpeted floor. Load the content stack into the rabbet. Insert the PW16 clip at an angle — wide tip first under the rabbet lip — then press the body down flat until the foot snaps fully under the edge. Use 4–6 clips per long side on a 50×60 cm frame, increasing to 6–8 per long side on 70×90 cm frames. Consistent spacing (every 8–10 cm) ensures uniform content retention across the full frame perimeter.
Conservation Framing with PW16
For museum-quality conservation framing, the PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip is the standard choice: it accommodates the deep archival mat-board and spacer assemblies required by conservation standards, generates sufficient spring force to retain heavy conservation glass, and its stainless steel construction ensures it will not rust or off-gas pollutants that could damage sensitive artworks over decades.
PW16 for Mirror Frames
The PW16’s 10 mm head slot and 52 mm spring body comfortably retain mirror glass panels in large mirror frames. Place a small strip of rubber or self-adhesive foam between the mirror edge and the clip tip to prevent the stainless steel from contacting the mirror silver backing — direct metal contact can cause tarnishing at the mirror edge over time.
The Complete XKY Framing Spring Clip Range: Choosing the Right Clip
XKY Framing’s flat-body spring clip family covers every frame size: PW20 Small (S01/S02, 33–36 mm) for frames under 25 cm; PW22 Medium (S10, 47 mm) for frames 25–50 cm; PW16 Large (S11, 52 mm) for frames 50 cm and above. For wide-body holding force, the PW17 (S06) and PW17-2 (S07) series provide serrated-foot wide clips. For deep-rabbet side-wall mounting, the PW18-2 (S08) and PW18-3 (S09) right-angle clips are the specialist solution. And for frequently opened frames, the PW13 (S04) and PW13-2 (S05) turn-button clips provide tool-free content access.
Order the PW16 Large Picture Frame Spring Clip from XKY Framing today and complete your professional framing hardware kit with the maximum-length flat-body clip that large-format framing demands.
