# How to care for art prints so they last

> A good print can last decades — if you treat it well. Our print specialist explains how light, framing, handling and humidity affect art prints, and how to keep yours looking new.

**URL:** https://www.typeposters.co.uk/blog/how-to-care-for-art-prints
**Author:** Pete Spicer — Founder & Print Specialist
**Published:** 2026-06-16
**Updated:** 2026-06-16

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A well\-made print is a long\-term object\. We print everything as Giclée fine\-art prints on 180gsm archival matte paper precisely because it's built to last — but how long it actually \*looks\* its best comes down to how it's treated once it's on your wall\. The good news: print care is mostly common sense, and a few small decisions make the difference between a print that ages gracefully and one that doesn't\.

Here's what matters, roughly in order of impact\.

## Light is the biggest factor

Light — and UV in particular — is what fades prints over time\. The single most effective thing you can do is be deliberate about where a print hangs\.

- **Avoid direct sunlight\.** A wall that gets hours of strong, direct sun each day is the harshest place for any print\. A few metres away, or on a wall that gets indirect light, is far kinder\.
- **Consider UV\-filtering glazing\.** If a bright spot is unavoidable, framing behind UV\-filtering glass or acrylic slows fading considerably\.

Archival Giclée prints resist fading much longer than standard inkjet prints, but no print is immune — placement is your first line of defence\.

## Frame it, and frame it well

Glazing \(the glass or acrylic in a frame\) does more than finish the look — it protects the surface from dust, fingerprints, moisture and UV\. A few pointers:

- Use a **mount/mat** so the print isn't pressed directly against the glass\.
- Choose **acid\-free** mounts and backing to avoid yellowing over the years\.
- In sunny or humid rooms, **UV\-filtering, moisture\-resistant** framing is worth the extra\.

If you're hanging without a frame for now, our guide to [framing and hanging prints without damage](/blog/how-to-frame-and-hang-art-prints) covers the practical side\.

## Handle by the edges

Skin oils and fingerprints can mark a matte surface permanently\. When you handle a print:

- Hold it by the **edges**, or with clean, dry hands\.
- Don't drag anything across the surface\.
- Lay it on a clean, flat surface while you frame it — never on grit or a textured worktop\.

## Watch humidity and heat

Paper reacts to its environment\. Big swings in humidity can cause cockling \(gentle waviness\) over time, and heat accelerates ageing\.

- Avoid hanging prints in **bathrooms, directly above radiators, or in unheated lofts**\.
- Aim for a **stable, room\-temperature** spot — the same conditions that are comfortable for you are comfortable for paper\.

## Storing a print you're not hanging yet

If a print is waiting for a frame or a wall:

- Keep it **flat**, or loosely rolled in **acid\-free tissue** inside a tube\.
- Store it somewhere **cool, dry and dark**\.
- Don't stack heavy objects on top of a flat\-stored print\.

## The make does the heavy lifting

A lot of longevity is decided before a print reaches you — by the inks, the paper and the process\. That's why we use Giclée printing on archival stock: it's the same reason galleries and photographers use it\. If you'd like the detail on why that matters, [what is Giclée printing?](/blog/what-is-giclee-printing) explains it properly\.

Treat a print kindly and there's no reason it shouldn't look its best for decades\.

[Browse the print collection →](/products)

**FAQ**

**Do art prints fade over time?**

All prints fade eventually, but the rate depends on the inks, the paper and the light\. Giclée prints on archival paper are made to resist fading far longer than standard inkjet prints, especially out of direct sunlight\.

**Should I frame an art print behind glass?**

Yes\. Glazing protects against dust, fingerprints, humidity and UV\. For prints in bright rooms, UV\-filtering glass or acrylic adds meaningful protection against fading\.

**How should I store a print I'm not hanging yet?**

Keep it flat or loosely rolled in acid\-free tissue, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct light\. Avoid lofts and bathrooms, where heat and humidity swing the most\.