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How to care for framed prints and canvas
Keep framed prints and canvas out of direct sun, away from radiators and above-fireplace heat, and out of damp rooms. The Canadian Conservation Institute says light damage cannot be reversed and gives 40 to 60 percent relative humidity for paintings; Museums Galleries Scotland says 200 lux or less and humidity under 65 percent. Do not spray cleaner on glass, and leave surface cleaning of valuable originals to a conservator.
Diagram: places to avoid. Schematic room plan.
Numbers from the conservation sources
| Factor | Guidance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sunlight | Keep off the piece at all times; light damage cannot be reversed | CCIN |
| Light level | At or below 200 lux for paintings; limit exposure time | MGS |
| Relative humidity | Avoid above 60 percent or below 40 percent for canvas paintings | CCIN |
| Humidity limit (mould) | Keep below 65 percent | MGS |
| Temperature | Near 20 °C, avoid sudden change; do not hang above heat sources | MGS |
| Basements and attics | Avoid; humidity and temperature fluctuate | CCIP, CCIN |
| Fireplace | Above a fireplace is not the best choice for a painting (heat, dryness and soot fluctuate) | CCIN |
| Glass cleaning | No spray cleaners on glass; spray a cloth instead, and hold card against gilded edges | MGS |
Checklist
- Move the piece away from window light, or fit blinds.
- Skip walls beside radiators, heating ducts and above fireplaces.
- Choose an inside wall in a dry room.
- Do not press on the back of a canvas, not even with a finger (CCIN).
- Do not dust frames, particularly with cloths (MGS), and never clean the surface of a painting yourself; ask a conservator (MGS, CCIN).
- Check metal hooks and the varnish for signs of damp (MGS).
These sources describe paintings and works on paper in conservation settings. Printed and framed home pieces are not museum objects, so read them as sensible limits rather than rules. ArtzFolio product-specific care is on the care guide.
Sources
- Canadian Conservation Institute (Government of Canada): basic care, works of art on paper (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Canadian Conservation Institute (Government of Canada): basic care, paintings (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Museums Galleries Scotland: caring for paintings and frames (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased and re-checked on 2026-11-12. Where two sources disagree, both figures are shown. Hardware and wall products vary, so follow the pack instructions.
Related pages
More on light and humidity
- Protect Prints From Humidity and Sun: Ranges and Placement
- Lighting and Glare for Framed Art: Angles, Bulbs and Lux
- Pack and Transport Framed Art: Glass X, Corners, Wrap, Box