Have no idea how to protect the beautiful acrylic painting you received as a birthday present? Wondering how to frame and frame your new watercolor? Here’s a handy guide on how to care for your prized work of art, no matter what medium it was created on.

. Driving

. Storage

. Transportation

. Mat

. Framed

. laminate

. Display

. Cleaning

Special care for different types of supports

. acrylics

. oils

. watercolors

. Cakes

. Charcoal, Pencil, Colored pencil, Pencil drawings

. ink drawings

. Digital art

Driving

Always take great care when handling works of art. Never touch the surface of the artwork with bare fingers, as natural oils, acids and salts from the skin can transfer to the artwork and cause permanent damage. If you must touch the art, wear cotton gloves.

Storage

Artwork not displayed should be stored in a clean, dry, dark, well-ventilated area with moderate temperatures and humidity levels that do not fluctuate greatly. Avoid storage in basements, attics, or garages, as extreme temperatures and moisture can damage the artwork.

Store unframed art flat with acid-free paper between each item, or store individual items in archival-quality envelopes.

Avoid storing artwork between cartons as it is highly acidic and can damage artwork over time.

Store art created with charcoal, pastels, pencil or crayon between glass to avoid rubbing and damaging the delicate artwork. Cover the item first with an acid-free mat and then cover it with glass to protect the artwork from any contact with its surface.

Never store unframed artwork in shipping tubes for any length of time. Remove the art as soon as possible and lay it flat until you are ready to frame it. If a painting has been stored in a tube for a long time, consult a professional who will use the utmost care and experience in unrolling and relaxing the artwork to prevent possible cracking and damage.

Never store framed artwork directly on the floor. Instead, rest the artwork on blocks or on shelves.

Transportation

Never leave artwork in your car for long periods of time. Carry framed artwork by its sides and avoid leaning the canvas against anything that might damage the surface.

Roll prints carefully and insert into sturdy shipping tubes. Please remove the artwork and unroll it as soon as possible after transport to avoid permanent damage.

Mat

Matte your artwork with an acid free mat plate. Poor quality mats can damage art over time due to the chemicals in the board that can transfer to the artwork. The same goes for backing your art with cardboard, which also has chemicals that can cause discoloration.

Never use rubber cement or white glue to adhere art to a surface, as it may damage your precious artwork.

Framed

Art created with ink, pencil, pastel, or charcoal must be framed under glass. You can use plexiglass only for pencil or ink drawings, as any pastel or charcoal artwork can be damaged by the buildup of electrostatic charge emitted by plexiglass and similar plastics.

Be sure to completely seal the rear seams of the frame and backing with acid-free tape.

To further protect your print from harmful UV rays, you can ask your framer to use non-glare glass with a UV protective coating to cover the artwork in the frame.

The frame you choose should be slightly larger than your artwork. Moisture can cause the paper to shrink or expand and the extra space between the frame and the artwork will allow for these changes without damaging the artwork.

Never frame an artwork without also using a mount board between the artwork and the frame. Wood can contain moisture that can be transferred to the artwork. If you prefer, you can use acid-free frame spacing instead of mats. Ask at your art store to see what is available.

Also, if you have a glass insert to protect the artwork, be sure to add a mat to prevent the artwork from sticking to the glass over time.

laminate

Since almost all laminating materials have UV inhibitors, it makes sense to consider this option to protect your prints, photographs, and digital art, as well as other fine art, such as delicate pastels and charcoals.

Check with a photo store to make sure this process won’t damage the artwork you’re considering laminating.

Take your print or photo to a photo shop to have it professionally laminated onto a base, or use a laminating machine if you prefer to use a frame.

A laminating machine that uses a heat process will protect the print more than a machine that uses cold lamination. Beware of lower-end laminators with fluctuating temperatures that can cause bubbles between the print and the plastic, incomplete lamination, or variations in the thickness of the plastic.

As added protection, the laminating bags are also available with UV resistance to protect against fading.

If you use low-quality photo paper for your digital prints, be sure to test a sample print in your laminator, as it may smear the photo.

Display

Careful planning of where you will hang your artwork should greatly extend its life.

Humidity, extreme fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight, bright light, heating ducts, and fireplaces can all damage your old art. Avoid contact with fluorescent lights which emit harmful high-energy rays that can damage the artwork.

Hanging artwork on exterior walls can subject it to fluctuations in temperature and humidity in climates where temperatures vary greatly with the seasons. Avoid hanging artwork in kitchens or bathrooms for this very reason.

Attach small pieces of cork to the back of the frame to prevent mold from forming by allowing air to circulate behind the framed artwork.

Never use clip-on lights on frames. The area of ​​the artwork exposed to this “hot spot” will dry out and become damaged over time.

Canvas stretcher bars can expand and contract with fluctuations in temperature. This can cause the canvas to warp and/or the paint to crack. A professional can correct this problem and save the artwork.

Cleaning

Dust the frames regularly and inspect for signs of mold or insects. Make sure all hangers and items used to secure the frame are still in good condition.

Never use commercial products to clean your bare artwork. Use a feather duster to dislodge dust particles from the surface. Cloth material can leave lint.

To clean the image glass that protects your artwork, never spray cleaner directly on the glass. Instead, spray on your cleaning cloth and then wipe down the glass to prevent the cleaner from smearing and seeing between the glass and frame and damaging the art. Avoid using a cleaner with ammonia.

Use a cleaner specifically designed for plexiglass or similar materials such as acrylic, or use a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe the stains to avoid scratching them.

You may need a professional to clean your artwork if you notice discoloration and dullness from smoke contact, either from cigarettes, heavy use of candles, or if the artwork has been subjected to smoke damage from a fire. See your professional if you notice signs of mold or insects.

Special care for different types of supports

acrylic paintings

They should not be framed under glass, acrylics are quite strong and can survive various lighting conditions. Dusting the surface lightly will prevent any buildup. Take care when shipping acrylics in winter as extremely cold temperatures can cause cracking. You will have the same problem storing your acrylics in unheated attics, basements, or sheds if you live in areas that experience very cold winters.

Oil paintings

Neither to frame under glass since these have to “breathe”. Direct sunlight will fade oils over time. Choose your location with this in mind.

Be sure to dust frequently, as the buildup can crack and peel the paint. Never spray commercial cleaners on your paint. If the colors seem dull after a while, you can varnish your painting at your art store to renew the colors and protect the surface from cracking.

Transport your painting carefully wrapped in cardboard and protected with bubble wrap. Avoid leaving the artwork too long in the packaging, as moisture can form and damage your painting.

watercolors

Frame watercolors behind glass. Colors may fade if fragile watercolors are exposed to strong lighting conditions.

Oil pastels and chalk pastels

Cakes are very delicate and must be handled with great care. Framing under glass as soon as possible is a must to protect the easily damaged surface. Full sun can fade the colors, but they can survive strong light or indirect sunlight. Never touch the surface of the art or place anything on its surface to avoid staining.

Charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, crayon drawings

These are as brittle as cakes; therefore, they must be handled and protected in the same way. Do not touch the delicate surface of these drawings.

ink drawings

Also very light sensitive, fading quickly in direct sunlight. Frame under glass with UV protection.

Digital art

Avoid touching the surface of your digital art. Mount your artwork behind UV-protected glass to reduce fading. Make sure the artwork is dry before doing this. An acid free mat inserted between the artwork and the frame will prevent the artwork from sticking to the glass. Aluminum frames should be considered as moisture does not affect them and will not transfer to your prints. Be sure to keep your digital prints away from excessive heat for long periods of time, high humidity, direct sunlight, and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Taking extra care of your prized work of art today will ensure many years of enjoyment in the future.