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Protect prints from humidity and sun
For framed paper and paintings the conservation range is moderate and steady humidity: NEDCC gives 30 to 60 percent relative humidity for paper and 45 to 55 percent for paintings, and the overlap of the four ranges below is 45 to 50 percent. That overlap is our arithmetic on mixed storage and display ranges (the 30 to 50 percent is the NEDCC figure for photographs in storage), not a recommended setting. All of this is conservation advice for paper and paintings, not a test for every wall print.
Relative humidity ranges as published; the box marks where they all overlap.
Ranges and where to hang
| Topic | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature, public spaces | 64 to 72 F (17.8 to 22.2 C), not above 75 F (23.9 C) | NEDCC |
| Temperature, company guide | 69 to 75 F (20.6 to 23.9 C) | Picture Hang Solutions |
| Swings | Wide swings in temperature and humidity cause damage; no numeric limit given | NEDCC |
| High humidity, paper | Paper swells; prolonged high humidity raises degradation and mould risk | CCI (works on paper) |
| Where not to hang | Basements and attics (fluctuating); near radiators, air vents, fireplaces, spotlights | CCI (paper), CCI (paintings) |
| Rooms with rapid humidity change | Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms (no figure given) | Picture Hang Solutions (company guide) |
| Exterior walls | Inside surface can be cold in winter; unprotected paintings can get condensation damage | CCI (paintings) |
| Glazing | Can buffer humidity change, reduce dust and filter UV, depending on the glass or plastic chosen | CCI (paintings) |
| Framing materials | Archival matting and framing shield paper from short-term humidity change | CCI (works on paper) |
| Windows and doors | Do not display near them | NEDCC |
| Rotation | Rotate pieces every few months | Picture Hang Solutions |
Sunlight
NEDCC says most materials can be exhibited three to four months at 50 to 150 lux and that no paper or organic object should be on permanent display; direct sunlight is about 30,000 lux. Keep prints out of direct sun and see the lighting guide for the arithmetic. CCI also notes that low humidity shrinks the wooden stretcher of a painting and can cause rippling and corner draws, and advises against keying out a stretcher after paint is applied to fix slackness.
Picture Hang Solutions, a company guide, says to avoid smaller areas prone to rapid humidity changes, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms; it gives no figure. The conservation sources name basements, attics, vents, radiators and exterior walls. If mould appears on paper, CCI says to consult a paper conservator.
Sources
- NEDCC leaflet 2.1: temperature, relative humidity, light and air quality (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Canadian Conservation Institute: basic care, works of art on paper (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Canadian Conservation Institute Notes 10/3: storage and display guidelines for paintings (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Canadian Conservation Institute Notes 10/9: keying out of paintings (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Picture Hang Solutions: how to take care of framed art (company guide) (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased; each page was fetched and read on 2026-11-12. Where two sources differ, both are shown. Relative humidity and lux ranges are conservation figures for paper and paintings. The company-guide temperature differs from NEDCC; NEDCC is the conservation reference.
Related pages
- Care for framed prints and canvas
- Lighting and glare for framed art
- UV-filtering glazing
- Stretcher bar
- Hanging height by room