Art Care

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Care of your art work

To protect your investment and increase the life of your art work, the following guidelines should be followed. They are only GUIDELINES and it is ultimately your choice of how you care for your art work.

Probably the most important concern, even after having it properly framed, is where you hang (display) your artwork. The single most important bit of advice - avoid hanging any piece of art where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight has probably damaged more art than any means.

Ultraviolet light is another cause of image fading on photographic materials. All art work should be framed and displayed under a glass or Plexiglas layer to protect the image surface from the environment. This layer will help protect against ultraviolet light.

When cleaning the glass, do not spray the cleaner directly on the glass -- the cleaner could inadvertently run under the edge of the frame, contaminating the mounting material or art; spray your cloth first, and then, wipe the glass clean.

When cleaning your Plexiglas, remember one key point: it is plastic, not glass. Do not use glass cleaners and paper towels or the surface will become cloudy and scratched.

The best method for displaying your print is to hang it in an area that is never hit with direct sunlight. It is recommended that prints only be illuminated with tungsten lighting, ideally with 75-watt (75R30/FL) or 150-watt (150R/FL) internal reflector flood lamps. Installing a dimmer switch on the display light lets you adjust the intensity for greatest effect and print longevity. Quartz halogen and fluorescent lamps are NOT recommended unless a UV filter is used.

Do not hang your print in areas that experience wide temperature variations, high heat or high humidity. High temperature and humidity will shorten the life of your print.

Hang framed pictures on your wall. Not only can you enjoy your artwork, but also framed works do much better on the wall than in storage. Move artwork around occasionally to change the amount and direction of light exposure.

Use the appropriately sized hanging hardware included with each framed print. If you are hanging a heavy piece, make sure the hanging hardware is mounted to a wall stud.

If you have any questions please contact us.

And remember for quality photography, see us at folksphotography.com

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