STORAGE

1. Elevate stored prints so that air can circulate freely underneath and around them. Use shelving; do not rest on floor.

2. Separate multiple unframed prints with acid free tissue.

3. Wood shelving is preferred, as metal shelves can cause condensation.

HANDLING

1. Have clean hands as natural body oils can do permanent damage to the paper.

2. Use two hands to lift the paper, thereby avoiding damage to the edges.

3. Avoid touching or dragging anything across the image area. Thumbprints and surface scratches cannot be repaired.

4. Do not use pressure sensitive tapes on the paper.

HEAT

1. Avoid hanging or storing prints or paintings near a radiator or other heat source.

2. Open fireplaces should be avoided as well, since the combination of heat, soot and smoke can do extensive damage in a very short period.

HUMIDITY

1. High humidity is a threat to paper and prints, the chief danger being mold. According to museum curators, 50% humidity represents the ideal condition in which to keep fine works of art on paper

2. Framing without a mount between print and glass invites condensation. An acid free mat will serve as a proper mount.

3. Avoid hanging or storing prints in damp basements or cellars.

LIGHT

All light fades works of art on paper. Fading is not reversible

1. How much light is the optimum? Units of lighting measurement are called foot-candles, and according to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the optimum is five foot-candles, which is roughly the equivalent of a 150-watt bulb, approximately four to five feet away from the piece that is being illuminated.

2. Avoid reflecting light, as it has ultra-violet rays that can be very harmful to inks and paper.

3. Fluorescent lights are probably the most potent source of ultra-violet rays. If hanging your print in a room with fluorescent light, use Plexiglas when framing the artwork. Plexiglas is the best filter for ultra-violet rays and will give your print the longest life expectancy.