Guide to Ensuring The Longevity of Your Prints
Your print from The Stackhouse Printery is a valuable piece of art that will last for more than a century with proper care.
This is our guide to handling, displaying, and caring for your prints so they last for generations.
Handling Your Prints
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Use Clean Hands or Gloves: Always use clean and dry hands or cotton gloves to prevent damage from fingerprints, scratches, oil, dirt, and moisture when handling your prints.
- Hold Prints Correctly: When holding unframed prints, avoid touching the printed surface by holding them by the edges and supporting them from beneath.
Displaying Your Prints
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Avoid Direct Sunlight on Prints: Direct sunlight can cause fading over time, so it's best to choose a location to store or display your print that is out of direct sunlight.
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Use UV Protective Glass For Frames: If you are framing your print, consider using UV-protective glass to safeguard your art against light damage.
- Climate Controlled the Environment: Extreme temperatures and humidity can adversely affect your print, so storing and displaying your artwork in a stable, moderate climate-controlled environment is the best idea. You may also want to consider using a dehumidifier in humid climates.
Caring for Your Prints
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Dusting Your Prints: Dust your prints regularly using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Never use cleaning products or water on your prints.
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Clean Frames: If your print is framed, clean the glass with a glass cleaner, but be careful not to let the cleaner seep under the edge of the frame onto the print.
- Check Your Prints Regularly: Regularly check your prints for any signs of mold, discoloration, or other damage, especially if they are in a humid environment.
Your prints are meant to be enjoyed for a lifetime and beyond. With these tips, you'll ensure that your artwork remains vibrant and intact for years.
If you have any questions about caring for your print, don't hesitate to contact us at The Stackhouse Printery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Giclée is a type of inkjet printing, but not all inkjet prints qualify as giclée. The term typically refers to professional pigment-based inkjet printing on archival paper or canvas using a calibrated color workflow designed for fine art reproduction.
When printed with archival pigment inks on archival paper or canvas and displayed properly, giclée prints can last for decades without noticeable fading.
Yes. Giclée printing is widely used for gallery exhibitions, limited editions, and professional art sales because it offers excellent color accuracy, detail, and consistency.
Giclée prints use pigment inks and archival materials designed for longevity and fine detail, while standard photo prints are typically optimized for vibrant everyday display. The better choice depends on how the print will be used and displayed.
Giclée is pronounced zhee-clay, from the French word gicler, meaning “to spray.”