Art Care and Handling:

Conservation picture framing techniques and materials must be used to properly preserve and protect artwork. These include acid free matting and backing, acid free mounting, and UV blocking glazing.

Conservation picture framing techniques help protect artwork, but other factors must be taken into consideration. Heat, light, moisture, physical environment, and handling affect the condition of artwork.

Heat:

Avoid hanging or storing artwork in hot environments. Extreme heat may cause artwork to become brittle, yellowed, and faded.

Light:

Avoid hanging or storing artwork in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light is not in the visual spectrum. Ultraviolet light is the primary cause of colors to fade in visual art. Once colors have faded, the original colors cannot be restored. Ultraviolet light may also cause artwork to become brittle and yellowed.

Moisture:

Avoid hanging artwork on exterior walls. The temperature on the interior side of the wall differs from the exterior side. This condition may cause condensation to form on the inside of the glazing or within other elements of framed artwork. Condensation may cause mildew or mold.

Avoid hanging or storing artwork in moist environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.

Mold spores are carried in dust and lie dormant in dry conditions, but will germinate in moist conditions.

Moisture may cause cockling, staining, and warping of artwork.

Use rubber bumpers (adhere to the lower rear corners of picture frame) to promote air circulation.

Physical Environment:

Avoid storing or hanging artwork where it is susceptible to insects. Insects such as crickets and termites eat wood, paper, and fabric. Spiders leave webs and all insects leave specks.

Avoid hanging or storing artwork in smoky environments.

Avoid hanging artwork above working fireplaces.

Handling:

Hands must be clean. No exceptions!

Two hands must be used when lifting, carrying, or inspecting artwork. Never lift or carry artwork with one hand. If paper artwork is lifted with one hand, small creases called C-marks are created. C-marks cannot be repaired.

Avoid lying artwork face down. If it must be laid face down, use a folder to hold the artwork while turning it over.

If artwork has ripples caused by rolling, do not roll the artwork in the opposite direction to flatten it. This only causes more damage.

Avoid touching the surface of artwork. Finger oils are very damaging to all types of artwork. Use cotton gloves.

Use clean smooth weights to hold artwork in place. Use caution not to drop weights.

Extreme care must be taken when cleaning the surface of artwork. Finger oils cause damaging oily prints and smudges. Brushes cause scratches. Blown air causes artwork to flutter, lift off the table, tear, and have media blown from the surface. Erasers cause paper surface damage, including shiny, dull, or worn spots. Solvents cause staining, dissolving of media, and deterioration.