| Unless you place your artwork in an
environment of inert gas and darkness, it is impossible to prevent aging, however;
effective measures have been proven to slow the aging process and prevent damage.
Artwork ages or becomes damaged by the following: mishandling, excessive light,
extreme temperature, humidity and materials they may come in contact with. Keep
artwork away from damp and humid conditions, as well as extreme temperatures, this can
cause mildew or premature aging.
One of the greatest risks is excessive lighting. This may occur with the use of
inappropriate indoor lighting or direct outdoor light, which can cause colors to fade.
Inappropriate indoor lighting can cause excessive heat, which in turn will damage a
piece. We suggest you use track lighting with a dimmer control and consult a
professional to determine the proper distance and lighting requirement. As a
suggestion, the center of the artwork should be displayed at eye level, approximately
5’7" - 5’9" in height. Appropriate lighting should be mounted at
a 45 degree angle when possible. One spotlight per piece should be sufficient.
Taking advantage of the artworks focus of light will enhance the visual presentation.
If you need to clean a painting or frame, avoid harsh chemicals. You shouldn't use
glass cleaners on Plexiglas or lacquer frames. Use a damp lint free cloth instead.
Dust originals lightly with an unused paintbrush.
Unframed artwork should not be left unprotected. Items should be stored flat in
the shipping material it was received in or a large drawer etc. A sheet of waxed
paper or acid free tissue should be place over the image to avoid contact with the surface
of harmful materials. If you need to transport artwork, follow the suggestions
below.
FRAMED ARTWORK:
1) Strong Boxes
comes in
multiple sizes with 3 custom foam inserts,
manufactured by Air Float Systems (800) 445-2580. Tell
them where you reside and they will let you know of a dealer in your area where you can
pick up the box. You must know all three (3) dimensions of your framed piece
to order the appropriate box, Length x Width x Depth.
Especially how deep it is. These boxes are patented and can be pricey but well worth
the money. If you can't find a strong box use the following guide.
Shipping materials you will need:
a) "Mirror Pack"
boxes. Found at most moving companies or storage companies, price is $6.
I would suggest getting two (2) of them (37" x 27" x 4" each) so that you
can make it 8" deep. The cardboard used for these boxes is thin, so how you
pack it inside is going to be what is important and safe for the frame.
b) Bubble wrap.
c) Packing peanuts.
d) A bed sheet or large enough tissue paper.
e) Packing tape.
The mirror box will adequately package a framed piece that is 20" x 30" x
1" (or 3"-4" deep if using two boxes as suggested). Should your frame
be larger than 20" x 30", buy enough boxes to create a large enough box to allow
3" of packing space around all four sides of the frame.
Wrap the framed artwork in a sheet, or
cover with tissue paper. This will protect the Plexiglas or glass from the sticky
substance of the bubble wrap, which you will apply next.
Wrap the bubble wrap around the sheet covered frame. Protect the corners of the
frame especially as these tend to be the points of impact when the box gets jostled during
shipping.
Place some packing peanuts or other packing material inside the bottom of the mirror box
to cushion the piece. Place the bubble wrapped piece on to the layer of packing material
inside the mirror box, and then stuff the sides and top of piece with more packing
material. Make it a tight fit so that the piece can not slide around in the box.
Tape the entire box securely.
NOTE: Not all carrier service providers will
accept the mirror pack box, you should consult with a carrier service to
learn their packaging standards and size limitations.
UNFRAMED ARTWORK:
Never lift an unmounted print or drawing by
its corners. When lifting an unmounted print or drawing, slide a sheet of cardboard
beneath it as a support and hold the support not the art. If you have to use your hands,
use tissue paper in your hands so your fingers do not touch the print or drawing. Support
the long sides of the sheet with both hands.
Shipping materials you will need:
a) "Flat Pack" or a "Print Pad". If you can not
find these items, use cardboard for the art and corrugated cardboard for the outside
packing material.
b) Packing tape.
Protect the artwork with acid free tissue paper on both front and back of the piece.
Place two or three layers of cardboard on both sides of the art to prevent bending. Tape
around the outside of the cardboard pieces so they stay together.
HINT - in
preventing the art from moving within the cardboard: fold a sheet of paper into a triangle
that has one open end. Place a triangle on all four ends of the print, then tape
the triangle only to the cardboard. The triangle can be untapped when removing
the print. Never try to bend the print into the triangle.
Place the taped up cardboard between two pieces of corrugated cardboard and tape all sides
securely.
You could further pack it into a mirror
pack if wanted, but the above instructions should suffice.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Serigraphs are prone to crack and are best shipped flat. We do not recommend rolling any
fine art, corners can be bent or the art could be accidentally creased.
PACKING IN A TUBE:
We do not recommend this for Limited Edition fine art prints.
For storage or transport, a work on paper, no matter how large in size, must never be
rolled on itself or in a tube. Rolling can promote flaking of inks and pigments within
Serigraph prints, distort fibers,
and cause tearing or creasing if the roll is crushed.
NOTE: Art-Broker.com will roll poster
prints for cost effective shipping, and prices
of posters posted in website reflect the poster prints being rolled and
shipped in a tube. Our tubes are ABS pipe,
home construction material.
SHIPPING:
Art-Broker.com recommends you use a
transport carrier service that allows you to insure your art for its
full value or at least the price it sold for. Never send artwork
"ground" service as it allows too much time for the piece to be damaged
in transit.
If you have a framer or shipper pack the
artwork, make sure to have them follow the specifications listed above. Do not assume they
know this information. Keep all of your receipts from everyone involved with these
procedures.
If you have any
doubts about how to pack your artwork correctly, consult a professional
shipper, museum, framer, or a gallery. Artwork is easily
damaged in shipping if it has been packed improperly.
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