Care Guide

small habits, long lifespan

Archival giclée is robust paper, but small habits make the difference between a print that lasts a few years and a print that lasts a few generations. Here’s the short version.

Step 01

When your print arrives

Posters ship rolled in a kraft tube. Framed pieces ship flat with corner protection.

  • Unrolling a poster. Handle by the edges, never touch the printed surface — skin oils mark matte paper.
  • Relax the curl. Lay flat for 24 hours under a clean weighted surface. A few large books work. Don’t bend it back the other way; that creases the surface.
  • Framed pieces. Cut the outer cardboard along the seams, lift the frame out by the edges, peel the protective film off the acrylic glazing before hanging.

Step 02

Framing an unframed print

A-series sizes (A3, A2, A1, A0) fit most off-the-shelf frames at IKEA, Officeworks, and high-street framing shops worldwide.

  • Look for matted frames. A frame with a window mat keeps the paper away from the front glazing and prevents long-term moisture damage.
  • Custom sizes. Square (30/40/50/70 cm) and Fine Art sizes (8×10”, 11×14”, 16×20”, 24×32”) are less standard. Most local framers can cut a custom mat for under $50.
  • UV protection. If you want to extend the colour lifespan, ask the framer for “museum glass” or “conservation glass.” Adds cost; doubles the lightfastness.

Step 03

Where to hang

Anywhere out of direct sunlight. Archival pigments are rated for 75+ years indoors under normal conditions, but direct sun will fade any print over time.

Bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms, kitchens (away from the stove) are all fine. North-facing rooms in Australia are gentlest on prints.

Bathrooms are a maybe — moderate humidity is fine, but a steamy bathroom with no ventilation is not the right home for archival paper.

Step 04

Cleaning

  • Cleaning framed pieces. The front is shatterproof acrylic glazing, not glass — wipe gently with a dry microfibre cloth. Avoid paper towels and ammonia-based cleaners like Windex (they can scratch or cloud acrylic). For marks, lightly dampen the cloth with plain water; spray the cloth, never the surface.
  • Unframed dust. Brush gently with a clean dry artist brush. Don’t use a damp cloth on the printed surface.

Step 05

Storage

  • Short-term. If you’re not hanging immediately, store rolled in the original tube, in a cool dry place. Don’t stack heavy items on top. Don’t leave it in a hot car.
  • Long-term flat storage. Sandwich between two sheets of acid-free tissue paper inside a dry portfolio.

Step 06

If something goes wrong

If you damage a print during framing or handling, get in touch. We can sometimes offer a replacement at production cost rather than full retail. No guarantees, but it’s worth asking.

Email theplainsight@hotmail.com.

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Questions on a specific piece? Email us — we usually reply within a couple of days.