Handling your fine art print

Dirt, dust, moisture, oils, adhesives, solvents, heat, and anything that could scratch, dent or crease the paper should all be avoided when you are handling your print.

I recommend taking your print directly to the framer, in its packaging.

However, if you want to unpack your print at home, here are some general handling guidelines: 

• Use clean, dry hands at all times to handle your print (or, even better, white cotton gloves) as skin oils can stain the paper.

• Use two hands to support your print so it will not bend as dents and creases in the print are also likely to be permanent.

• Hold your fine art print only at the very edges of the paper to avoid finger-smudges on the face of the print which will be very difficult or impossible to remove.

• Use a clean and dry, flat, smooth and hard surface for laying your print out (face up).

• Keep your print covered with the acid-free tissue paper in which it was packed, until it is framed, to avoid damage.

• Don’t use your hands to wipe off any dust as this can also damage the surface of your fine art print – use a dry, clean, white lint-free cloth or white cotton gloves.

• Flattening your rolled-up fine art print

  • Prepare a flat, smooth, hard surface for working. Clean it of any grit and particles that might bruise, scratch, or stain your print. 

  • Unpack the inner tube from the outer box. your print is wrapped in a waterproof layer and then acid-free tissue paper and rolled around the outside of this inner tube.

  • Remove the strips of adhesive tape from the tissue paper and discard them (you don’t want sticky tape accidentally sticking to your print).

  • Keeping the print inside the protective acid-free tissue sleeves, carefully remove it from the inner tube and unroll it.

  • Lay the print out, image side up, on the flat surface.

  • With the tissue paper still covering the print’s image, place a few clean and dry, smooth, flat and  heavy objects (i.e. books) on the ends and around the middle of the print. do not try to reverse roll it.

  • Let your fine art print relax over-night, at least - if it still isn’t flat when you remove the books, replace them for a few more hours. 

  • Please never scrape the back of your print over the edge of a table or use an iron, steam, or moisture to flatten it – this will certainly damage it!