You don’t need a degree in art to know what kind of work you like. If you consider yourself a collector, you probably choose art based on pieces that move you. As you add more pieces to your collection, you may wonder how to care for your artwork. Ensuring your art’s safety and longevity requires a little know-how about everything from museum quality framing to protective museum glass. Learn more about protecting your investment and maintaining your collection from the experts at FrameStore.
1. Consider the Piece
Some pieces are a little more sensitive and delicate than others. Depending on the age of the piece and the materials used by the artist, you may need to take preventative measures to preserve them. Talk to an expert about the medium of the piece to ensure you’re taking all the right precautions.
2. Consider the Environment
If your artwork needs a little more care, some useful, practical measures you can take include museum quality framing, careful temperature control, protection from sunlight, and restoration. Placing art in direct sunlight, near a heat source, or in humid areas can all cause deterioration and damage. In addition to keeping art at no less than 40% humidity, keep the temperature between 50-70℉ at all times.
3. Framing & Hanging
Hanging a work of art can be a little more complex than you anticipate. You need the right type of frame and hanger to ensure that the piece is secure. We recommend archival framing that places a piece between layers to protect it. This type of museum quality framing should include museum glass that is UV-resistant.
Conservation framing involves more layers than just the glass, however. Some of the most crucial layers include:
- Sealed Frame Rabbets
- Matboard
- Hinging
- Mounting Board
- Dust Cover
4. Maintaining Your Art
Once your piece is protected and hanging in an appropriate environment, you still need to continue regular maintenance. Usually, all you need to do is a little bit of dusting, but you should also check the piece itself periodically to ensure that there’s no flaking, scratches, or loose paint. Remember never to touch the surface of the work with exposed skin, as your skin’s natural oils can cause unintentional damage.
5. Art Storage
There may come a time when you need to remove your art from the walls and place them in storage. Whether you’re painting or redecorating, you should be storing your art just as carefully as you display it. You can keep paintings in their frames, but you do want to stack them separately, with enough room between them that they don’t touch. Store them in a temperature-controlled area with limited heat, humidity, and dryness to preserve them.
Framing with Us
At FrameStore, we work with museums and companies like LACMA and Disney to help them preserve their masterpieces. Our experience with museum-quality framing can ensure that your art is just as protected as those you see in your favorite gallery. Reach out to us today to learn more about our custom framing options.