HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR REPRODUCTION

Even if a reproduction has a life expectancy of 50+ years it could be ruined after only a decade. If your intention is to keep it valuable there’s only one way: keep it horizontal in a conservation metal cabinets (better than wood) and away of light but if your intention is to use it for what it’s meant then framing and hanging in my eyes is the way to go and here is how to do it.

So, you are framing it right? At this point the color fading of your reproduction is inevitable but there are certain factors you should take in consideration if you want to give longevity to your well-expended money:

When we are talking about ILLUMINATION keep in mind the Intensity, UV exposure and Heat.

Intensity: For the images to last longer is better not to expose them to direct light, specially to anything more than 450 lux.

Heat: keep your framed or unframed art, photo or reproduction distant from heat sources like fireplaces or heating vents, this exposure will cause premature aging. A permanent humidity below 40 percent will dry out the paper and make it brittle.

6th Street Original fine print

UV: Remember Ultraviolet (UV) light rays affect at direct or indirect natural light (sun) exposure as well as from other sources such as florescent lighting. To help in the preservation:

- All reproductions come coated with Hahnemuhler UV protection sprayed on them.

- You can also use in the framing UV protection glass blocks 97% of the harmful UV or Plexiglas blocking 99% but keep in mind this last one while harder to break and cheaper also gets scratched easier.

- Shield Sheets are relatively new in the market. It comes with a 99% UV protection and is easy to manipulate. All you have to do is cut and place it behind the glass or between frame and glass. The advantage is these are scratch resistant and cheaper than the other products.

For those who need to highlight with a lightning source is recommended to use incandescent bulbs, the florescent ones produce much more UV than an the incandescent.

As I said photodegradation will happen eventually, nonetheless, There are other factors that can speed the process.

HUMIDITY

Mold: It grows in conditions of high humidity, direct wetting, and poor air circulation. Keeping your prints in places such as basements or bathrooms will produce irreversible damage. How to avoid it? Ventilate and in the worst scenario keep silica gel close by, it absorbs the moisture.

Foxing: Is the slow process of spotting and browning that develops on vintage paper, it’s normally sprinkled over the print. Again, storing art prints in high humidity and without air circulation are the causes and will inevitably cause the stains.

Furthermore, humidity attracts pests like SILVERFISH AND MITES, which are another danger for your art print.

POLLUTION

Indoor pollution comes from a variety of sources like  the material itself (paper, ink, etc containing acid), carpets, paints, dust, the sweat from your hands, smoke, ozone, cooking fumes and other materials and chemicals.

Is recommended to have your reproduction professionally dry mounted and well sealed with all acid-free mounting and matting materials.

If taken care of your reproduction will stand without any sign of photodegradation for a lifetime. Take a moment to set it up and enjoy for life!