Our prints are made to last a lifetime. With proper care, they should remain in excellent shape for a very long time. Art prints are not throw away art like posters and canvases. As long as you play by our rules and handle your art print with utmost care, it will last you a lifetime.
Treat Your Prints Like Fine Art: Fine art paintings, drawings and sculpture are displayed with these basic rules of thumb to ensure their longevity:
Always display your art print on acid free backer boards or photo mats.
Do not store your art print rolled or folded.
Do not hang on walls that receive strong sunlight or heat.
Display your art print in moderate temperatures and humidity.
Never touch the surface of your art print with your fingers; always use clean white cotton gloves when handling.
Fine art is delicate; it’s made to be appreciated from afar and protected from touching, pollution and the sun’s damaging UV rays. Treating your prints like fine art will keep them looking great for many decades to come! If you have any questions about how to take care of your collection, please feel free to email us at any time: info@art-prints-for-sale.com/contact/
Hanging your original art prints on a wall may seem like an easy thing to do, but it is also something you should give some thought to. There are several factors that can affect the longevity of your original art print and the framing of your art print will have a hand in determining how long it lasts.
Trying to decide what frames to use for your art print? You will find there are several options available: wood frame, metal frame, or acrylic frames. Each one has their own benefits and drawbacks, so before deciding on a frame you will want to consider all the available options.
If you are looking for an affordable way to provide protection for your original art print and still be able to see it from any angle then framing is the best option for you. When choosing a frame for your original art print, you will want to consider how it will be displayed. If it is in a place that does not receive direct sunlight or dust, than a glass display may be sufficient. If you are planning on hanging your original art print in a place where it may receive either direct sunlight or dust on a regular basis, then you will probably want to look into an acrylic display.*
The truth is that the art world has no interest in the long-term care and display of original art prints, and this lack of concern explains much of why you should never purchase an original print as an investment.
The problem lies in the fact that most artists have no idea how to properly produce, store and display prints. If they did, they could easily have a better than 90% survival rate. Unfortunately, the likelihood that your artist has any idea how to properly store and display his or her prints is less than 10%.
The reason for the paucity of knowledge is simple: it’s not a requirement for success. Most artists don’t even have proper business cards let alone store their work with archival materials.
Unfortunately, this means that most artists feel completely comfortable keeping their prints in polypropylene sleeves (the material used to protect photographs), which are highly acidic and cause significant degradation of your print over time.
The good news is that there are very easy steps you can take to ensure your print lasts for generations:
There are a lot of variables to consider when you are thinking about how and where you will display your art prints. In order to create the perfect look for your home and art print, we’ve put together some tips to help ensure that your art print looks great for years to come.
Treat Your Art Print Like Fine Art
Fine art is not just something that hangs in museums. Any piece of art that is created by hand can be deemed fine art, including your framed prints, watercolors and oil paintings. The same techniques that museum curators use to preserve their paintings are the same techniques you should use when displaying your own items in your home or office. Here are a few tips for caring for your prints:
Always Use A Frame That Is Made Specifically For Your Piece Of Art
You wouldn’t put a valuable painting in just any frame, so don’t do the same with your precious prints. Frames made specifically for artwork are made with UV-protective materials, which filter out ultraviolet rays that can fade the colors in your printed artwork over time. Choose frames made from wood or metal rather than plastic, and always make sure you properly clean and dust the glass before you place it on top of the frame.
If you have a matting option available
Art Prints are extremely delicate and are prone to damage. Original art prints can be displayed in various ways, but it is important that the art prints are handled with care.
Art prints should be displayed either behind glass or in frames. The glass or frame is necessary as a protection against dust, insects, and moisture.
Art prints should never be hung directly onto the wall because it harms the print over time. It can cause stretching or warping of the paper and even a disintegration of the print.
The frame must be fixed with brackets, hooks or nails which are strong enough to hold the weight of the art print.”
Here at Art Prints Direct we understand that original art prints are a big investment, so we have prepared the following information to assist you in taking care of your print. It is not necessary to do all of these steps every time you hang your print, but if it has been some time since it has been framed, or if you notice that it has become faded or discolored, then it is probably a good idea to follow all the steps below.
Timing is Everything
The timing of when you put your print in its frame will have an effect on how well it ages. A frame that is too tight will squeeze the paper and cause wrinkling and buckling over time. A frame that is too loose will allow the print to sag over time causing damage to the corner areas and stretching of the paper. The best time to put your print in a frame is as soon as possible after removing it from the printer. If you must wait some weeks before framing (for instance, if you are waiting for a custom frame), then roll up the print with care and store it in a cool dark place like a closet where it will be protected from UV light and away from any extreme changes in temperature or humidity.
Sizing Up Your Frame
When choosing a frame
It is critical that in order for the colors to remain vibrant and the images to remain sharp, you must choose a frame that allows for UV-filtering glass. In addition, you need to make sure that the frame has a good solid back with at least two clips or screws holding it in place. If your print is not properly framed, you run the risk of damaging the art print and losing its value.
