Looked after well, fine-art prints last a very long time — so a little care goes a long way. The main enemies are light, heat, humidity, airborne pollutants and poor storage materials.
Handling
- Always handle by the edges, ideally with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves.
- Avoid touching the printed surface — fingerprints and oils can mark it.
- Don't bend or crease prints; support larger works fully when moving them.
Storing
- Use archival, acid-free materials — acetate sleeves and acid-free conservation boxes — to protect against degradation.
- Keep prints somewhere cool, dry and stable. Avoid attics, basements and outside walls, where temperature and humidity swing and condensation can form.
- Watch out for hidden culprits: some adhesives, and sulphur compounds from rubber and untreated wood, can cause fading over time.
- Check stored work occasionally for moisture, dust or pests.
Displaying
- For long-term display, conservation framing is best: glazing protects the surface from the environment, and UV-protective glass reduces light fading.
- Use 100% cotton, acid-free mount boards.
- Hang away from direct sunlight, radiators and damp.
If you'd like advice on conservation mounting or framing for a specific piece, just ask — email info@theprintspace.co.uk.