How to Care for Your Art Print

Art does not need to be treated like a fragile museum object to last. Most of the care it needs is simple: place it thoughtfully, keep it reasonably clean, avoid prolonged direct sunlight and moisture, and resist the urge to use household cleaners on the artwork itself.

Those small decisions matter because the things that gradually affect a print—light, heat, humidity, dust, and careless handling—are often easy to overlook. Damage may not appear overnight. It builds slowly through fading, discoloration, warping, surface marks, or changes to the paper and canvas.

Lavi Dou Gallery offers artwork in four formats:

• unframed art prints;
• framed art prints;
• stretched canvas prints;
• framed canvas prints.

Each format has slightly different care needs. Paper works benefit from framing and protection behind glazing. Canvas can be displayed without glazing, but its exposed surface requires gentler cleaning and protection from contact. Frames also need care, although the method depends on whether they are wood, metal, or another finish.

The goal is not to make you anxious about living with your art. It is to help you avoid a few preventable mistakes so the piece can remain part of your home for a long time.

The four things that affect art most

Most everyday risks fall into four broad categories:

Light

Light damage is cumulative and irreversible. Both the intensity of the light and the length of exposure contribute to fading and deterioration, which is why museums carefully limit the amount of light received by sensitive works.

Heat and humidity

Paper, canvas, wood, and framing materials respond to changes in their environment. Sustained humidity can encourage mold, while very dry conditions and repeated fluctuations can make materials brittle, distorted, or unstable.

Dust and pollutants

Dust can settle on frames, glazing, and exposed canvas. When it is rubbed into a surface or combined with moisture, it becomes more difficult to remove safely.

Handling

Fingerprints, pressure, bending, abrasion, and accidental contact can cause damage long before age does. The safest habit is also the simplest: handle artwork as little as necessary and always support it properly.

The best art care is preventive: protect the work before it needs cleaning or repair.

Keep artwork out of direct sunlight

A bright room can be a beautiful place for art. The issue is not daylight itself so much as strong, direct, prolonged exposure.

A print placed opposite a window may receive hours of intense sunlight every day. Over time, this can fade inks and pigments, alter the balance of the image, and discolor paper. Ultraviolet exposure can also affect paintings and canvas-based works.

Safer placement

Whenever possible:

• choose a wall that receives indirect light;
• avoid placing the artwork where a concentrated beam of sunlight crosses it for several hours;
• use curtains, blinds, or UV-filtering window treatments in particularly bright rooms;
• rotate especially light-sensitive works when practical;
• and avoid spotlighting art with unusually hot or intense lamps.

You do not need to place every artwork in a dark corner. A room with soft, filtered natural light is usually perfectly suitable. The aim is to reduce continuous exposure rather than eliminate light entirely.

Glazing marketed as UV-filtering can provide additional protection for paper prints, but it does not make a work immune to fading. Thoughtful placement still matters.

Avoid heat, moisture, and sudden changes

A stable living environment is generally kinder to artwork than one that moves repeatedly between hot, cold, damp, and dry conditions.

The Library of Congress recommends cool, relatively dry, clean, and stable conditions for works on paper, with distance from radiators, vents, leaks, and environmental extremes.

For a normal home, this means using common sense rather than trying to recreate museum storage.

Avoid placing art:

• directly above a radiator or fireplace;
• beside a heating or air-conditioning vent;
• against a persistently damp wall;
• immediately over a stove or sink;
• directly beside a shower or bathtub;
• in an attic, basement, or storage area prone to temperature extremes;
• or where leaks and condensation are possible.

What about bathrooms and kitchens?

Art can work beautifully in either room, but placement and format matter.

A framed paper print behind glazing is generally easier to protect than an exposed unframed print. Even then, steam and condensation can enter the frame over time, particularly when ventilation is poor.

Canvas is not automatically waterproof. Moisture can affect the canvas, wooden stretcher, outer frame, and printed surface. Avoid displaying it where it will be splashed or exposed to repeated heavy steam.

In a well-ventilated powder room or kitchen dining area, a carefully positioned work may be fine. Directly above a shower, stove, or frequently splashed counter is a different matter.

How to care for an unframed art print

An unframed paper print is most vulnerable while it is being handled, stored, or prepared for framing.

Handle it by the edges

Before touching the print:

• wash and thoroughly dry your hands;
• clear the working surface;
• remove drinks, food, pens, and anything that could spill or scratch;
• and support the sheet with both hands.

Hold the print by its blank borders whenever possible. Avoid pressing fingers onto the printed image area, where skin oils may leave marks.

For larger prints, ask another person to help. Allowing a large sheet to bend under its own weight can create creases or dents.

Keep it flat until framing

Store an unframed print:

• flat;
• inside its original protective packaging where suitable;
• between clean, rigid, acid-free materials;
• and away from direct light, dampness, and extreme temperatures.

The Library of Congress advises keeping paper-based materials flat or appropriately rolled when oversized and using supportive protective enclosures.

Do not use ordinary pressure-sensitive tape directly on the print. Adhesives can discolor paper, become brittle, or prove difficult to remove later.

Frame it with suitable materials

Framing does more than finish the presentation. It protects the print from dust, handling, and accidental contact.

For stronger long-term protection, look for:

• acid-free or archival-quality mat board;
• an acid-free backing board;
• glazing appropriate to the room;
• and mounting methods that do not permanently glue the artwork to its backing.

A mat also creates space between the print and the glazing. The Canadian Conservation Institute recommends archival mat board and appropriate paper hinges for works of art on paper.

For valuable, irreplaceable, or unusually delicate works, use an experienced professional framer.

How to care for a framed art print

A framed print provides substantial everyday protection, but it still needs thoughtful placement and cleaning.

Clean the glazing, not the artwork

For routine care:

1. Remove loose dust from the frame with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
2. Clean the glazing using a suitable lint-free or microfiber cloth.
3. Apply any cleaner to the cloth—not directly to the frame.
4. Keep moisture away from the frame edges and backing.

Never spray glass cleaner directly onto a framed artwork. Liquid can run beneath the glazing or enter through the frame edges, where it may stain the mat, backing, or print.

Check whether the glazing is glass or acrylic before choosing a cleaner. Products safe for ordinary glass may damage or cloud acrylic glazing. When uncertain, use only the method recommended by the framer or manufacturer.

Do not open the frame unnecessarily

Dust inside the glazing, a slipping print, or visible moisture may indicate that the frame needs attention. Avoid dismantling it casually, particularly when the artwork has been professionally mounted.

A framer can open the frame, inspect the materials, clean the inside of the glazing, and reassemble the piece without unnecessarily handling the print.

Watch for warning signs

Occasionally inspect framed artwork for:

• condensation;
• rippling or buckling paper;
• brown spots or discoloration;
• insects or debris inside the frame;
• separation between the backing and frame;
• or a loose hanging system.

Move the artwork away from the wall and seek professional advice when moisture or mold is present.

How to care for a stretched canvas print

A canvas print is displayed without protective glazing, which gives it its tactile, painterly appearance. It also means that the surface is exposed.

Dust it gently

For ordinary surface dust:

• leave the canvas hanging securely;
• use a clean, soft, dry brush or very soft lint-free cloth;
• work gently from the top downward;
• and avoid applying pressure.

Do not scrub the surface. Do not use furniture polish, household cleaner, alcohol, solvents, or a wet cloth.

The Smithsonian and Canadian Conservation Institute both advise caution with the cleaning of painted surfaces; inappropriate cleaning can cause abrasion or more serious damage, and complex cleaning is best left to a conservator.

Although a printed canvas is not identical to an original painting, the same conservative principle is sensible: remove only loose dust and avoid experimental cleaning.

Do not press on the front or back

The canvas is stretched under tension over a wooden subframe. Pressure can create dents or loosen the surface.

When moving it:

• hold the wooden structure from the sides;
• use both hands;
• keep fingers away from the printed face;
• and never lift it by gripping the canvas material alone.

Do not place objects behind the canvas or lean it against anything sharp. Pressure from the back can leave a visible impression on the front.

Keep it away from moisture

Do not wipe a canvas print with water unless the supplier has provided product-specific instructions allowing it. Moisture can affect the printed surface, canvas tension, and wooden structure.

If the canvas is splashed, blotting or rubbing may make the situation worse. Contact the gallery or a professional for guidance.

How to care for a framed canvas print

A framed canvas has two exposed components: the printed canvas and the decorative outer frame.

Care for the canvas using the same gentle, dry method described above. Clean the outer frame according to its material and finish.

Cleaning the frame

For most routine dust:

• use a clean, soft, dry microfiber cloth;
• support the frame with your other hand;
• and avoid catching the cloth on corners or textured finishes.

Do not assume that a wood-framed canvas should be treated with furniture oil or polish. Decorative frames may have coatings or finishes that react unpredictably to household products.

Avoid allowing any cleaner to reach the canvas or the narrow gap between the canvas and the outer frame.

Check the space between canvas and frame

Framed canvas often has a narrow “floating” gap around the artwork. Dust may collect there.

Use a soft brush or low-pressure hand blower to loosen accessible dust. Do not insert hard tools, wet cloths, or vacuum attachments into the gap.

Moving and storing your artwork

The moments when artwork is removed from the wall, carried, or stored often present more risk than ordinary display.

Before moving it

• Remove jewelry or objects that could scratch the surface.
• Clear the route and destination.
• Use two people for large pieces.
• Hold framed works from both vertical sides or support the bottom.
• Never carry a piece by its hanging wire.
• Keep fingers away from the image surface.

For canvas and framed canvas, support the wooden structure. Do not press a hand into the centre of the back.

Temporary storage

When artwork must be stored:

• keep it upright when safely supported;
• use clean protective corners and suitable wrapping;
• prevent the front surface from contacting another object;
• avoid basements, attics, garages, and exterior storage;
• and keep it away from pipes, windows, and exterior doors where leaks are more likely.

Paper prints should be kept flat in protective enclosures. Canvas should not be tightly wrapped in plastic for extended periods where trapped moisture could become a concern.

Canadian conservation guidance notes that suitable wrapping can protect paintings physically and buffer short-term environmental fluctuations, but the materials and method must be appropriate to the artwork. 

What not to do

Most avoidable damage comes from a few common habits.

Do not:

• hang art in prolonged direct sunlight;
• spray cleaner directly onto a frame;
• use a wet cloth on a canvas print;
• touch the printed surface unnecessarily;
• attach tape or adhesive directly to an unframed print;
• press on the front or back of a canvas;
• hang art directly above strong heat or moisture;
• stack unprotected artworks face to face;
• attempt to flatten, retouch, repaint, or repair damage yourself;
• or use a vacuum directly on the artwork.

When a piece is damaged, aggressive home treatment is usually riskier than leaving it alone temporarily. The Smithsonian recommends that restoration and complex cleaning be undertaken by qualified professionals rather than attempted by amateurs.

When to ask for professional help

Contact a professional framer, conservator, or the gallery when you notice:

• mold or a musty smell;
• water damage;
• tears, punctures, or deep dents;
• severe rippling or warping;
• a print slipping inside its frame;
• debris or insects beneath the glazing;
• flaking or lifting on the image surface;
• a damaged stretcher or frame;
• or staining that cannot be removed through gentle exterior dusting.

For a recent purchase, photograph the issue before handling the work further and contact the seller promptly.

A simple seasonal care routine

You do not need an elaborate schedule. A quick inspection every few months is enough for most homes.

Every few months

• Dust the frame or exposed canvas gently.
• Check that the artwork remains level and secure.
• Look for direct sunlight that may have shifted seasonally.
• Inspect for condensation, moisture, or discoloration.
• Confirm that the hanging hardware remains stable.

Once a year

• Remove the artwork carefully and inspect the wall and backing.
• Check the frame corners and hanging fixtures.
• Review whether furniture, heating, or window treatments have changed the environment.
• Clean the outside of the glazing thoroughly using the appropriate method.

That is usually all routine care requires.

Art is meant to be lived with. A well-made print does not need constant attention; it simply benefits from a stable environment, gentle handling, and occasional observation.