How to Care for and Store Your Giclée Prints to Make Them Last a Lifetime

Investing in Giclée prints ensures you receive museum-quality, long-lasting artwork.

Introduction

Investing in Giclée prints ensures you receive museum-quality, long-lasting artwork. But to truly preserve their beauty and vibrancy, you need to store and care for them properly.

With the right handling and storage methods, Giclée prints can last over 100 years without fading or deteriorating. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips on how to protect, frame, and store your prints to maximise their lifespan.

1. Why Giclée Prints Require Special Care

Unlike standard inkjet prints, Giclée prints are created using pigment-based inks and archival paper, making them far more durable. However, they are still sensitive to environmental factors like light, humidity, and dust.

Common Threats to Giclée Prints:

  • UV Light Exposure – Can cause colours to fade over time.
  • High Humidity – Leads to paper warping and ink degradation.
  • Pollutants & Dust – Can settle on the surface, dulling the print.
  • Physical Damage – Fingerprints, scratches, and bending can ruin fine details.

By following proper care guidelines, you can keep your Giclée prints looking as vibrant as the day they were printed.

2. How to Handle Giclée Prints Safely

Handling your prints with care is crucial to preventing accidental damage.

Best Practices for Handling Giclée Prints:

  • ✔️ Always wash and dry your hands before touching the print.
  • ✔️ Hold prints by the edges, avoiding direct contact with the printed surface.
  • ✔️ Use cotton gloves when handling fine art prints to prevent fingerprints.
  • ✔️ Lay prints on a clean, flat surface if you need to inspect them.
  • ✔️ Avoid rolling prints unless necessary—flat storage is best.

3. Framing Giclée Prints for Long-Term Protection

Proper framing not only enhances the display of your Giclée print but also protects it from environmental damage.

Tips for Framing Giclée Prints:

  • ✔️ Use UV-protective glass or acrylic to prevent fading.
  • ✔️ Choose an acid-free mount and backing to avoid paper degradation.
  • ✔️ Ensure the frame is sealed properly to prevent dust accumulation.
  • ✔️ Avoid direct sunlight and place frames in low-humidity areas.

A high-quality frame with museum-grade materials will keep your Giclée prints in pristine condition for decades.

4. Best Storage Methods for Unframed Giclée Prints

If you’re not framing your prints immediately, proper storage is essential.

How to Store Giclée Prints Correctly:

  • ✔️ Use archival-quality storage materials, such as acid-free tissue paper or folders.
  • ✔️ Store prints flat in a portfolio case rather than rolled, to prevent creasing.
  • ✔️ Keep prints in a cool, dry place, ideally between 18-21°C (65-70°F).
  • ✔️ Maintain 40-50% humidity levels to prevent warping.
  • ✔️ Avoid stacking heavy objects on stored prints to prevent pressure damage.

If rolling your prints for storage or transport, use a wide-diameter tube (at least 3 inches) and wrap the print in acid-free tissue paper before inserting it.

5. How to Clean and Maintain Giclée Prints

Over time, dust and pollutants can settle on your prints, dulling their vibrancy. Regular maintenance ensures they stay looking fresh.

Cleaning Giclée Prints Safely:

  • ✔️ Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth to gently remove dust.
  • ✔️ Avoid using water, sprays, or cleaning solutions, as moisture can damage the paper.
  • ✔️ Keep prints in a dust-free environment to minimise cleaning needs.

For framed prints, simply dust the glass with a soft cloth and avoid spraying cleaners directly onto the frame to prevent liquid seeping inside.

6. Display Tips: Where to Hang Giclée Prints

Proper placement ensures your prints stay protected while being beautifully showcased.

Best Practices for Displaying Giclée Prints:

  • ✔️ Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.
  • ✔️ Keep prints away from heat sources, such as radiators or fireplaces.
  • ✔️ Choose a room with stable temperature and humidity levels (avoid bathrooms and kitchens).
  • ✔️ If displaying in a bright room, use UV-protective glass in your frame.

By positioning your prints in a controlled environment, you can significantly extend their lifespan.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best-quality prints can suffer damage if not cared for properly.

Common Mistakes & How to Prevent Them:

  • ❌ Touching the printed surface with bare hands → Always use gloves or handle by the edges.
  • ❌ Rolling prints too tightly → Use a wide-diameter tube to prevent creases.
  • ❌ Framing with standard glass → Opt for UV-protective glass to prevent fading.
  • ❌ Storing in a damp basement or attic → Keep prints in a cool, dry room.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, your Giclée prints will remain in excellent condition for decades.

8. Where to Get High-Quality Giclée Prints in Bath

If you’re looking for professional Giclée printing in Bath, it’s important to choose a trusted local print studio that specialises in archival-quality prints.

At imagecentre.com, we offer:

  • A wide selection of fine art and photographic papers.
  • Pigment-based Giclée printing for superior longevity.
  • Expert advice on how to store and frame your prints.

Want to get started? Contact us today or visit our Bath studio to explore our paper options and see samples in person!

Conclusion

Caring for your Giclée prints properly ensures they maintain their stunning detail and colour accuracy for a lifetime.

At imagecentre.com, we offer:

  • Handle prints carefully using gloves and clean hands.
  • Frame using UV-protective glass and acid-free materials.
  • Store prints flat in archival-quality folders in a cool, dry place.
  • Keep them away from direct sunlight, humidity, and pollutants.

By following these steps, your Giclée prints will remain vibrant and high-quality for generations to come.

Ready to print your artwork in stunning detail? Get in touch with imagecentre.com today!

More posts