Major factors affecting the preservation of photographic materials are light, humidity, temperature, and housekeeping practices.

Thank you for purchasing an Art Wolfe Original Photographic Print. We always consider it an honor when one of Art Wolfe's images is chosen for display in an office, home, or to be given or received as a gift.

In Art's twenty-five year career, he has taken many thousands of photographs: of these, only a small portion are chosen to be included in his Fine Art Print Collection and Limited Edition Collection. Reflective of this same approach, the Print Production Staff at Art Wolfe, Inc. ensures that the image your receive is of the absolute highest quality, and that it is presented and shipped in the same manner.

Below you will find instructions for the care, hanging, and display of your print for the optimum results.

If you have any questions, please contact us

Protection from Light

The best display conditions are those with low light levels and no daylight. Light sources containing ultraviolet (UV) rays are especially harmful. UV is found in all daylight, most abundantly in sunlight, and in the emissions of certain artificial lights, such as most fluorescent and halogen lamps. Ordinary household bulbs (incandescent and tungsten) contain negligible UV and are there for recommended. These bulbs give off heat, however, and should not be placed near the artwork.

Special filters are available to screen out UV radiation. Inexpensive plastic sleeves may be purchased for fluorescent tubes. Windows may be covered with stick-on UV-absorbing films, or UV-filtering acrylic or glass may be used in picture frames or windows.

Protection from Relative Humidity and Temperature

Temperature and relative humidity (RH) should not exceed 70 degrees F and 60 degrees F respectively. High temperature and RH also encourage mold growth and insect activity. Relative humidity below 25% is believed to be less damaging, but may cause paper to become brittle.

Temperature and RH should remain constant. Fluctuations in climate cause expansion and contraction, which can lead to structural damage in paper, weaken the attachment of the print, and cause distortions, such as rippling of the paper.

Temperature may usually be controlled by heating and air conditioning. Some control can be maintained by using portable dehumidifiers in the summer and by lowering the heat in winter. During periods of high humidity, use fans to circulate air and help discourage mold growth.

Select a spot in your home where a framed item is to be hung very carefully. An inside wall is preferable to an outside wall because of rising or penetrating damp in the latter. Unless the building has excellent climate controls, do not subject the art to damp areas such as a bathroom. Attach the adhesive bumpers (included in the hanging package) to the lower corners of the back of the frame, permitting air circulation behind the frame.

Housekeeping

When cleaning framed objects, always spray your cleaning agent on a cloth and then wipe the glazing. Spraying any liquid directly on the glass or acrylic may result in having the liquid run down behind the glazing and into the framing package. Take the opportunity to remove the framed object from the wall and examine the backing for insect activity, and examine the print through the glazing to check for insects, mold, water staining, etc. You may have to look closely for insects-- silverfish and booklice are small and not easy to spot. Insect droppings or shed wings and damage to the object itself are also evidence. If you do spot insects or mold, do not spray the object with insecticide. Instead, contact a conservator for the recommended remedy.