Plate 09 Guide
How to care for giclee prints: light, framing and storage
A well made print can last for decades, but only if it is treated well. Most damage comes from light, moisture and handling, and all three are easy to control.
Light is the main enemy
Ultraviolet and bright light slowly fade inks, and they fade some colours faster than others, so a print can shift in balance over time. Will sunlight fade a giclee print? Yes, given enough time. Hang prints away from direct sun, avoid spots opposite a bright window and use softer lighting. Glazing that filters UV light helps. If you can, rotate prints now and then so none gets the brightest spot permanently.
Framing paper prints
Do you put glass over a giclee print? For paper, usually yes: glass or acrylic protects against dust, fingerprints and moisture. Use an acid free mat or spacer so the print does not touch the glazing, because ink and paper can stick to glass in humid air. Choose acid free backing and archival tape, and avoid sealing a print in a way that traps moisture. A framer who works with archival materials will know the details.
Canvas prints
Canvas prints are normally coated and are not framed under glass. They can be hung on stretcher bars or in a float frame. Dust them with a soft, dry brush or a microfibre cloth. Do not use water, sprays or household cleaners, because the liquid can lift or stain the surface. Check the coating information from the lab before using anything else.
Handling and cleaning
Hold a paper print by its edges with clean, dry hands, or wear cotton or nitrile gloves, because oils from skin can leave marks. Never use window cleaner on the print itself. Clean the glazing, not the print, and spray the cloth rather than the glass so liquid cannot run under the frame.
Humidity, heat and air
Avoid kitchens, bathrooms, damp basements and walls near heaters. Fluctuating humidity can make paper wave and can encourage mould. Steady, moderate conditions are best. Cooking fumes, smoke and strong cleaning products can also affect surfaces over time.
Storing prints you are not hanging
Store paper prints flat in acid free tissue or an archival box, away from heat and damp. Do not stack unprotected prints with the printed surfaces rubbing together. If you have to roll a print for transport, follow the lab's advice and use a sturdy tube. Unroll and flatten it as soon as you can.
How long will a print last
How long giclee prints last on paper or canvas depends on the inks, the paper, the light and the framing, so numbers quoted by sellers vary a lot. Ask the printer which materials are used and whether independent test results exist for that combination. A print kept out of direct light and framed with archival materials will generally last far longer than one hung in the sun. If you are still choosing a printer, see giclee vs regular print.