Getting the Most from Your Print

Suggestions for Displaying Your Fine Art Print

To protect your investment, the following suggestions should be followed to increase the life of your photographic print. Many of these guidelines have been taken from the book entitled The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs by Henry Wilhelm (the guru on this subject).

HANDLING & STORAGE
The print has been packaged to minimize damage and direct contact with the photographic print. However, at some point, it will need to be removed from its packaging. Use only soft cotton gloves to touch the print to prevent finger prints and harmful oils from damaging the print. When handling you're print, take hold of it with both hands from diagonally opposing corners. Damage to the print by anyone, including the framer, is not covered under the warranty.

Your print may have been rolled up so that it could be delivered to you. However, this is only a temporary measure. Do not keep your print rolled up for long periods of time. Try to have it framed soon after you receive it. If you need to store it for a long period of time, place it on a flat horizontal surface, preferably in an baked enamel metal cabinet, covered on both sides by interleaving paper. A company called Light Impressions (1-800-828-6216) can help you.

FRAMING YOUR PRINT
Acids and other contaminants can shorten the life of your print and cause fading or other damage. Therefore, it is essential to use the correct framing materials and techniques. If you use our suggested framers, they should know what to do. Instead of getting into all of the theory and science, just note that you should always use materials that are acid-free and proven to be archival.

As for the question of whether to dry mount your print to a board or suspend your print in the frame with hinges or corners, it's up to you. Though purists would say to never dry mount a print, many photographers do, especially for prints larger than 16x20". The reason they do is that, after a while, hinged and corner mounted prints tend to warp from temperature and humidity and sometimes break loose and fall. A dry mounted print will look beautiful for years to come. If you do choose to dry mount the print, the framer should only use archival adhesives and mounting boards.

The primary cause of image fading on most photographic materials is "visible light". Therefore, UV glass will do little, if anything, to extend the life of our prints. Clear glass works great and saves you money.

DISPLAY, ILLUMINATION, ENVIRONMENT, & ENJOYMENT
The best method for displaying your print is to hang the it in an area that is never hit with direct sunlight. It is recommended that our prints be displayed in 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, such as Plexiglas UF-3, is placed over the fixtures.

To extend the life of a print on display, keep the room as dark as possible when not in use. As far as temperature and humidity is concerned, don't hang your print in areas that experience wide temperature variations, high heat (attics), or high humidity (damp basements). Wide temperature variations can cause the framing materials to warp. High temperature and humidity shortens the life of your print. The use of air conditioners, especially humidity-control units, are recommended.

For maximum enjoyment of your fine art print, display your framed piece in an area that allows for people to stand back and take in the entire image.



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Mike MacDonald Photography
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Downers Grove, Illinois 60516

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All images on this website are the property of Mike MacDonald. Embedded in each image is an invisible copyright watermark to guard against theft. If you have an interest in any of the photographs contained in this website, contact Mike MacDonald at the number above.

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