PHOTO PRODUCT CARE || A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR YOUR HEIRLOOMS
- May 1, 2018
- 4 min read
HEIRLOOM ALBUM
Your album is archival quality, which means that with proper care it will last you decades, even lifetimes!
• Always store your album closed and inan acid-free protective bag or box - this isconsidered “dark storage” and is ideal forpreserving the photographic prints.
• Do not store your album where it maybe subject to extreme heat, direct sunlight, excessive humidity, or contact with mois-ture (such conditions may cause warpingof the cover or pages).
• If your book begins to warp, place on a clean table with several heavy books ontop of it until warping has disappeared.
• To view album, rest the back cover on a clean tabletop or on your lap, supporting the front cover with your left hand as youflip through album.
• Never suspend your album by only its cover; the page block is very heavy, andthis can stress the flush mounting.
• Make sure your hands are washed andclean before opening your album.
• Wipe album clean with a soft, damppaper towel or microfiber towelette.
PRO TIP
Wearing fitted, clean, lint-free cotton or nitrile gloves when flipping through your album pages will help preserve the album even further. Never dig your fingernails intothe edges of the pages to turn them!
GICLEE PRINT
‘Giclée’ is a fancy word for inkjet prints! Inkjet prints are an exquisite way to print your images if cared for properly.
• Keep storage and display environmentsstable, cool and dry as inkjet prints mayblur in high humidity.
• Inkjet prints are subject to light damage;to ensure your inkjet print stays vibrant,frame it behind glass with acid-free materials.
• Frame your inkjet print behind glass with acid-free materials and UV protection as Inkjet prints are subject to light damage.
• Do not stack inkjet prints so they directlytouch one another, as the inks may rub offon other surfaces.
• Try not to touch the surface of your inkjetprint, which is to prone damage andabrasion from skin oils and fingernails.
• Recent research shows that certain inkjetprints can last up to 100 years before fading if framed properly and placed awayfrom direct sunlight.
GALLERY CANVAS
Planning an appropriate hanging spot for your gallery canvas ahead of time ensures years of brilliant colors!
• Hang your gallery canvas in a placewhere it will be kept free of moisture andextreme temperatures.
• Avoid areas with moisture, as this cancause molding in cracks of the artworkaswell as the hardwood framing.
• Extreme heat and cold, or fluctuationsbetween the two, can cause permanent warping of the wood, preventing thecanvas from lying flat against the wall.
• To clean, wipe canvas gently with a damp, super-soft towel periodically.
• Hanging your canvas in direct sunlight, or under direct artificial light, will cause thecolors to fade more quickly than in darkerareas, so plan accordingly.
• If possible, find a hanging space un- der soft, artificial light or bounce light, out of the direct rays of the sun. If necessary, choose a canvas option with UV coating.
PRO TIP
Ideal locations for hanging canvas are cool, dry rooms, away from open windows! If you do hang your canvas near windows that are frequently open, make sure to close them during damp days as much as possible!
USB DRIVE/DVD
Archival USB drives are some of the most secure, long-lasting ways to store your images digitally.
• Keep drive stored in a safe, secure position during transportation.
• Do not dangle drive from a keyring or attachit to larger objects, as this increase chances ofbanging, bending, or crushing.
• Always store your drive with its protective cap on and in a soft bag or container.
• Do not leave the drive’s connector exposedas this will attract dust and sediments whichwill rapidly decrease its functioning ability.
• Do not store your drive in a hot place or direct sunlight; cooler, dark storage is ideal.
• Keep a copy of your images on your person-al computer to minimize the wear and tear onyour thumb drive due to repeated insertion.
• Only plug your thumb drive in with ample light sources to ensure the drive is properly inserted on the first try.
• Many drives have been irreparably daageddue to being plugged in upside down or forced into the computer incorrectly, so be cautious!
• If the drive won’t plug in, don’t force it; dou- ble-check to make sure its positioning is cor- rect. Forcing the drive in improperly will not onlydamage the drive, but your computer as well!
PRO TIP
When in doubt, make a copy! A duplicate drive allows you to transport your files to share without damaging the original.
FINE ART PRINTS
Standard photo prints are robust, lasting for decades or more with proper care and handling!
Archival Quality
• All prints offered are archival-quality,meaning the inks and backing materials are rated to last decades when cared forproperly.
• Because of the nature of color process-ing, black & white prints will last far longer than color prints; if great longevity is desired, we recommend ordering prints in both black and white as well as color.
Handling
Handle all prints with great care to avoidany scratching, denting, warping, smears, and smudges
• Do not touch the surface of prints with your bare fingers; pick up by touchingcorners only
• Prints should always been handled withclean, washed, and dried hands or while wearing clean gloves
• Absolutely do not write on the backsof photographs; if labeling, adhere anacid-free label to the back of your print or write on the print’s packaging only
Mounting & Framing
• Properly framing your prints provides protection from dirt, dust, pollution, and UVray damage
• Use only acid-free mat board materialsto prevent yellowing and damage to yourprints.
• Do not use glues, spray adhesives,or adhesive sticky tapes on your prints.
• Avoid using any metal clips or staples,as these may rust and ruin your photo- graphs.
• Use ultraviolet filtering acrylic ormuseum glass to reduce damage fromsunlight and other light sources.Displaying
• Display photographs in cool, low-light,dry environments, with stable humidity andtemperature.
• Choose rooms that do not have a highchance of humidity, away from kitchens,bathrooms, laundry areas, etc.
• Choose areas away from heat sources such as heaters, fireplaces, appliances, etc.
• Avoid high-intensity lighting situations aswell as direct sunlight, as these acceleratethe deterioration of prints.
Storing
• Store prints in cool, dark and dryconditions with stable humidity &temperature
• Store prints in acid-freepaper folders or plastic sleeves only
• Choose containers made from archival, lignin-free material for storing
• Store smaller prints in plastic sleeves or placed in 3-ring binders
• Store larger prints flat to prevent saggingand warping
Comments