Safe Print Storage

The best way to enjoy a print for a long time to come is to frame it, or otherwise present it in a protected fashion such as an archival art folder, print album, or portfolio box. But if you do need to store a print for any amount of time, here are some important guidelines.

  • Your print has been delivered in mostly non-archival packaging materials, unless stated otherwise. Standard materials such as brown Kraft paper, cardboard, packing / masking tape, etc. aren’t acid-free, nor are they free of other potentially harmful materials that can damage the print over time. If you need archival storage materials (more than a few days or small number of weeks), please ask us about this.
  • Store the print in conditions of controlled temperature and humidity, ideally 15 – 25° C and 40 – 60% relative humidity.
  • Unless the print has been protected by a UV-blocking layer of some kind (e.g. spray coating or laminate), avoid significant exposure to any strong sources of UV light.
  • Avoid exposing the print to solvents, paints or varnishes, any kind of adhesives, smoke, chemicals or pollutants that may leach into the print and chemically react with the paper or the ink. Even common packing materials such as plastic cling wrap or tape may directly infuse or off-gas harmful chemicals that can damage the print.
  • If they’re not individually packaged, separate multiple prints using acid-free interleaf paper such as glassine. This prevents ink transfer from the face of one print onto the back of the print above it. Smooth interleaf paper also protects prints from scuffing or scratching each other.
  • Some acid-free packaging papers and cardboards are available, but these may still transmit surrounding contaminants in gas form because these products are breathable rather than impermeable.
  • Long-term archival storage materials include glassine paper, acid-free cellulose or cotton matboard, and polypropylene or polyethylene plastic sleeves or bags.

Safe storage is critical to the longevity of your print.

A hard copy of this document, along with our “Safe Print Handling” and “Safe Print Presentation” guides, is included in every package we ship from the studio. We would also be happy to discuss how your print has been packaged and how you intend to store it when you pick up your print.