Shipping & Care

Your archival print arrives in a protective archival sleeve, supported by acid-free backing board and shipped flat within rigid packaging. Remove the print by its edges with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves. Avoid touching the printed surface directly — skin oils and moisture can affect the cotton rag substrate over time.

Archival pigment prints on 100% cotton rag are exceptionally stable but remain sensitive to physical abrasion and environmental moisture. Always support the print fully from beneath when lifting — never hold by a single edge. If the print must rest before framing, place it flat on a clean surface with acid-free tissue over the image side.

Display or store your print in a stable environment between 60–72°F and 40–55% relative humidity. Avoid proximity to heating vents, fireplaces, and exterior walls subject to temperature fluctuation. Do not hang in direct sunlight or in spaces prone to dampness such as bathrooms and basements. Cotton rag, while acid-free and lignin-free, responds to its environment — consistency is the key to preservation.

We strongly recommend professional archival framing. Specify the following: a window mat cut from 100% cotton museum board (4-ply or 8-ply), an archival hinge mounting using Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste (never pressure-sensitive tape), and a frame with sufficient depth to keep the print recessed from the glazing. A minimum 2-inch mat border on all sides provides both aesthetic breathing room and structural separation from the frame.

UV-filtering acrylic (such as Optium Museum Acrylic or equivalent) is the preferred glazing material. It blocks approximately 99% of UV radiation, significantly reduces light fading, and is lighter and more impact-resistant than glass. Anti-reflective and anti-static coatings are highly recommended for cotton rag prints, which can be sensitive to static cling.

Illuminate your print with LED or fiber-optic sources rated at 2700–3000K for warm, neutral display. Avoid halogen and direct sunlight. Target a display illumination level between 50–200 lux for color prints, and never exceed 5,000 lux. UV output should be below 75 microwatts per lumen. Position lighting at a minimum 30-degree angle to the glazing to minimize reflection.

If storing your print unframed, interleave with acid-free tissue and place flat in an archival print box within a stable environment. Store vertically supported, never rolled. Avoid polyethylene sleeves — opt for archival polyester (Mylar) if interleaving sleeves are required. Inspect stored prints annually for any signs of foxing, warping, or environmental damage.