Care and Handling
Preserve the brilliance and value of your Artworks over time. By following these gallery standards, your artwork will remain as vibrant as the day it was printed.
Print Only
Unframed Fine Art Paper- Safe Handling and Flattening
Handle exclusively using clean, white cotton gloves. For artworks shipped in a tube, never roll the print in the opposite direction and lay the print flat on a clean surface with the protective tissue paper intact, then place light, flat books on all four corners for 24 to 48 hours.
- DIY Framing Precautions
If framing yourself, never use standard adhesive tape (even "archival" tapes can stain over time). Use reversible photo corners. Ensure an acid-free mat board separates the print from raw wood frames to prevent acid burn and yellowing.
- Dusting
Do not blow on the print to remove dust. Use a photographic air blower or a very soft, clean brush.
Dibond Mounted
Raw Fine Art on Aluminum- The Core Principle
Your fine art paper and pigment inks are completely exposed. Never speak closely or blow on the print; microscopic saliva droplets instantly and permanently stain matte pigment inks.
- Storage and Moving
When moving the artwork, never stack prints face-to-face. Never let bubble wrap touch the printed surface directly, as it might leave permanent circular impressions. Always wrap the piece in archival glassine paper first.
- Strict Prohibitions
Do not use microfibers, cloths (wet or dry), or any cleaning products. Rubbing an unlaminated fine art paper causes shiny scuff marks. For dusting, we recomend using a photographic air blower.
Framed Artworks
Wood Frame, Mat and Protective Glass- Glass Cleaning Rule
Spray optical glass cleaner lightly onto a microfiber cloth, never directly onto the glass to avoid capillary seepage. Never use paper towels (kitchen roll); their wood fibers create permanent micro-scratches on acrylic and museum glass.
- Frame Breathing
When hanging, ensure small felt or silicone bumpers are placed at the bottom back corners of the frame. This allows air to circulate behind the artwork, preventing trapped moisture and mold.
- Frame Care
Gently dust wooden or metal frames with a soft dry duster. Avoid abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals that could degrade the frame's finish.
The Ideal Environment
Lighting and UV
Avoid direct sunlight completely. Sun exposure not only causes UV fading but creates a greenhouse effect under framed glass, literally baking the ink and paper.
Avoid halogen and standard fluorescent lights, as they emit UV and degrade optical brighteners in the paper. The ideal gallery standard is high-quality LED lighting, which emits zero UV and zero heat.
Climate Stability
Maintain a stable room humidity between 40% and 60%. More importantly, avoid rapid fluctuations in temperature or humidity, which force the natural paper fibers to expand and contract, leading to warping.
Keep your artwork away from direct heat sources (radiators, fireplaces) and drafty areas or unventilated spaces (like bathrooms).