Preserving fine art prints requires careful handling, proper storage, and a few preventative measures to limit exposure to harmful elements like light, heat, humidity and air pollution. With the right preservation approach, fine art prints can maintain their color vibrancy and structural integrity for many years.
How should you handle fine art prints?
When handling fine art prints, it’s important to avoid touching the surface of the print as the oils from skin can damage the ink over time. Nitrile gloves are recommended when handling prints. Only handle the edges and corners of the artwork and avoid bending or flexing the print. Avoid exposing prints to food, drink or other liquids that could easily stain or damage the paper.
What’s the best way to store fine art prints?
Fine art prints should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place when not on display. Temperature and humidity levels should be kept consistent at around 68-72°F and 45-55% relative humidity. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause the paper to expand and contract, resulting in damage over time.
Museum quality storage solutions like archival boxes, Solander boxes or flat files are ideal for storage. Uncoated archival tissue can be used as interleaving to prevent prints from sticking together. Prints should be stored vertically and properly supported to prevent sagging and deformation of the paper.
Should you frame fine art prints?
Framing provides protection for fine art prints when on display, but the framing materials must be chosen carefully. Acid-free matting and framing materials are essential to prevent acidic contamination of the print. UV-filtering glass or acrylic glazing will filter out harmful ultraviolet light. Use archival framing techniques with spaced, buffered mats and proper glazing to minimize physical contact with the print.
What environmental factors affect preservation?
Environmental factors like light, humidity, pollution and temperature can all impact the longevity of a print. Light exposure causes fading over time. Keep prints out of direct sunlight and only display for limited periods before giving the paper a rest in dark storage. Follow the recommended temperature and humidity ranges for your climate type – warm/dry, temperate, or cool/humid. Avoid displaying prints in kitchens, bathrooms or other spaces prone to humidity changes. Control indoor air pollutants by allowing proper ventilation and using air filters when needed.
Ideal Environmental Conditions for Displaying Fine Art Prints
| Condition | Temperature | Relative Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Warm/Dry Climate | 68-72°F | 45-55% |
| Temperate Climate | 68-72°F | 45-55% |
| Cool/Humid Climate | 68-72°F | 40-50% |
How should you clean fine art prints?
Surface cleaning of prints should be done very carefully using clean, lint-free cotton cloths. A soft brush may be used to gently remove any loose dust or dirt particles. Cleaning solvents or solutions are not recommended as they can damage the inks and paper over time. Spot cleaning inked areas is also not advised for vintage prints. For newer prints, spot cleaning may be attempted under guidance from a professional art conservator.
How do you protect prints from pests and insects?
Pests like silverfish, booklice, roaches and rodents can damage paper art. Keep storage and display areas clean to avoid pest issues. Place traps in storage areas and use sealed archival boxes. Never eat or drink around fine art prints. For valuable prints, freezing or heating via specialist methods can eliminate insect pests.
When should fine art prints be repaired?
Minor tears or surface abrasions in the corners do not always necessitate immediate repair. If a print is stable and damage is not advancing, interim stabilization steps can be taken until repair is warranted. Use Japanese paper and wheat starch paste for mends and fills on minor paper tears. Consulting a professional paper conservator is recommended for more significant repairs to preserve value and prevent further damage.
How do you protect prints against fire or flood damage?
Unfortunately fire and flood damage can be devastating for works on paper. To protect valuable prints, store offsite in a specialist storage facility offering temperature/humidity control and fire/flood prevention systems. On site, use fireproof cabinets and water sensors. During an actual emergency, if prints get wet, do not try to blot or dry – keep wet until professional help can arrive for stabilization and drying.
Should you mat and frame valuable prints?
For fine art prints of high monetary or historic value, matting and framing helps preserve the print when on display. Use archival matting and framing materials, UV protective glazing, and follow preventive conservation approaches. Ensure matting materials have passed the Photographic Activity Test and frames allow air flow. Valuable prints should not remain on permanent display and should rest in dark storage between viewing periods.
How do you transport fine art prints safely?
Protect prints from bumps, vibration and fluctuations in temperature and humidity during transport. Package prints flat, interleaved between archival boards or tissue paper. Use rigid supportive packaging like archival cardboard boxes or crates padded with foam. Include humidity absorbent material inside packaging. Monitor conditions during transit and do not leave packages in extreme heat or cold.
Can digitization help preserve original prints?
Digitizing fine art prints creates a high resolution digital surrogate that reduces handling of fragile originals. Digital copies enable easier access and reproduction while protecting an original print stored in ideal archival conditions. Maintain color accuracy when digitizing by using proper color calibration and lighting. Store digital masters as Lossless TIFF files for best preservation.
What are preventive conservation best practices?
Preventive conservation aims to limit deterioration through proper storage, handling, display and environmental conditions. Key preventive conservation best practices include:
- Use archival matting and framing materials if displaying prints
- Interleave prints with archival tissue in storage
- Maintain consistent temperature and humidity in storage and display spaces
- Keep storage and display spaces clean and free of food, drinks, and pests
- Wear gloves when handling prints
- Handle prints by the edges only and store prints vertically
- Keep prints out of direct sunlight and limit light exposure
- Use UV filtering glass/acrylic glazing when framing
- Allow air flow in frames and mats
- Monitor prints for pest activity, mold, or condition issues
- Repair minor damage using archival materials before it can worsen
- Digitize prints to reduce handling of originals
Conclusion
Caring for fine art prints requires attentive preventive conservation measures and environmental control to limit deterioration over time. With proper archival matting, framing, storage, handling, cleaning, and display conditions fine art prints can be preserved for many years while retaining their color and structural integrity. Consulting a professional paper conservator for guidance on caring for valuable fine art prints is highly recommended.