Caring for Your Art Prints: Dos and Don’ts
Art prints are a beautiful investment, whether they reflect personal style or elevate the aesthetics of a room. Proper care ensures that they remain vibrant and intact for years to come. This guide will cover essential tips for maintaining your art prints and offer recommendations for protective products like UV glass, cleaning supplies, and storage solutions.
The Dos: How to Properly Care for Your Art Prints
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Use UV-Protective Glass or Acrylic Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause prints to fade over time. Consider using UV-protective glass or acrylic to block harmful rays. These can reduce the risk of discoloration and fading, helping preserve the vividness of your artwork.
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Keep Prints Away from Direct Sunlight Even with UV protection, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight entirely. Hang your prints in areas with indirect lighting, such as hallways, living rooms, or offices.
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Clean with Caution Dust your prints regularly to keep them looking fresh. Use a soft, microfiber cloth to gently remove dust from the frame and glass. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the print or frame.
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Store Art Prints Properly If you need to store your prints, use acid-free paper or a protective sleeve to prevent discoloration. Store them in a cool, dry space where they won’t be exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
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Handle with Care Always handle art prints with clean, dry hands to avoid smudges or fingerprints on the print’s surface. For added protection, consider wearing cotton gloves when moving or framing them.
The Don’ts: Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Don’t Hang Art in Humid Areas Avoid displaying your prints in bathrooms, kitchens, or other areas with high humidity. Moisture can cause the paper to warp and lead to mold or mildew growth.
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Don’t Use Cheap Frames Invest in good-quality frames that provide proper support and protection. Cheap frames may not offer adequate backing, increasing the risk of your print bending or becoming damaged.
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Don’t Clean Without Research Never apply cleaning solutions directly onto the print or glass. If you need to clean the frame or glass, apply the solution to a cloth first and avoid liquids coming into contact with the artwork.
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Don’t Stack Unframed Prints If you have unframed prints, avoid stacking them directly on top of each other. The weight can cause indentations or scratches. Instead, store them individually in sleeves or between pieces of acid-free paper.
Product Recommendations for Art Care:
- UV-Protective Glass: Protects prints from harmful sunlight exposure.
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths: Gently remove dust without scratching the glass.
- Acid-Free Paper Sleeves: Safe storage option for unframed prints.
- Cotton Gloves: Wear them when handling art to avoid damaging the print.
By following these simple dos and don’ts, you’ll be able to preserve the beauty and integrity of your art prints for years to come. Whether you display them proudly on your walls or store them for future enjoyment, proper care is key to ensuring their longevity.
