Care & Handling
UNPACKING:
Completely remove all shipping tape before removing the artwork from plastic sleeves and shipping box.
Shipping tape could accidentally adhere to artwork as its being removed.
RESIDUE FROM TOUCHING / FINGERPRINTS:
Wear cotton gloves when handling. Gloves helps to prevent oils, fingerprints, and residue transferring to the art.
STORING:
Only use ARCHIVAL QUALITY materials for storing, matting, & framing art.
Don't use cardboard, as it has harsh chemicals embedded that will discolor or negatively affect artwork over time.
You may want to seek out your local professional frame shop for matting & framing your artwork.
For DIY framing, make sure there's a space between the artwork and the glass inside the frame. This prevents damages, clinging, & sticking to glass.
CLEANING
Caution should be used when your art needs cleaning.
ORIGINAL OILS
Oils should only require light dusting with a soft feather duster or soft cloth. We do not recommend wiping with paper towels, as they can slightly scratch the surface.
Never spray art with chemical cleaners, dusting spray, or other types of household cleaning liquids.
Seek the advice of a professional art restoration expert if your original painting is exposed to dirt, grime, smoke, damaged, torn, or discolored.
PRINTS
Framed prints should only require light dusting with a soft feather duster or soft cloth. If liquid cleaners must be used on the glass, DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY onto the glass. Its best to spray glass cleaners onto your soft cloth first, then gently wipe the glass clean.
Also, paper towels can leave soft scratch marks on glass/ plexiglass.
CANVAS / ACRYLIC SURFACE PRINTS
Gently dust with a soft feather duster or soft cloth. Only apply light pressure. Do not use paper towels. Do not apply spray cleaners, or chemicals, directly on the surface.
WOOD FRAMES
Wood frames, when handled properly, should only require periodic dusting. Use a feather duster or soft dry cloth to gently wipe clean. Avoid chemical cleaners as they could negatively react to the wood surface layer over time, or leave residue layers.
DISPLAYING
LIGHTS
When lighting your artwork, good lighting at appropriate angles and distance will help enhance your display.
Avoid placing lights too close that can heat the surface of the art, or cause too much bright light hitting the surface.
You may want to seek the advice of a professional electrician or art lighting professional for the best combination of lighting balance and presentation.
Always avoid UV sunlight
UV sun rays are very destructive. If artwork is exposed to direct light coming in through windows, glass doors, etc., at anytime during the day, it could cause fading. Indirect sunlight that is bouncing in from bright surfaces such as sidewalks or patios and directly hitting artwork during the day, can also cause fading.
Make sure your art is safe from sunlight throughout the day.
HUMIDITY / MOISTURE / HIGH TEMPERATURES
Exposure to high levels of moisture, humidity, and hot temperatures can affect any art.
Its best to avoid these conditions:
- Temperature over 78°F
- Humidity over 60%
Do not store artwork in hot storage units, hot cars, etc.
Do not hang art in or near high humid interior rooms inside your home such as: showers / bathrooms / indoor pools / hot tubs / saunas / or near water pipes that can burst.
FLOODING HAZARDS
If you live in or near a possible flood zone, do not store artwork in lower cabinets/storage areas that are close to the floor.
Exposure to moisture & heat can:
fade artwork
form mold & mildew, spots, or bubbles
make art stick to glass
warp or bend, especially unframed art
WARPING
If your art warps in high humid areas, try placing the art on a solid flat, level surface. Add a smooth, archival sheet (such as a plastic art sleeve) protector over the art to help protect it. Next, add some weight on top. For example, gently place some large books, and cover the entire artwork with added weight. Let it sit for several days to help flatten the art.
Repeat if needed.
