Art print care is mostly quiet prevention. The right wall, clean hands, stable conditions and gentle dusting do far more than a cupboard full of cleaning products.
You do not need museum conditions to look after art at home. You need to understand the few things paper and frames dislike: prolonged direct sun, moisture, abrasion, sudden temperature changes and pressure in the wrong place. This guide covers daily care, safe moving and what to do when something does not look right.
Green Room II by Amy Hallam Art Print · Morning Villa by Mario Stefanelli Art Print · Bvlgari by Mario Stefanelli Art Print
Choose the wall before you choose the hook
Watch the proposed wall through a full day. Bright ambient light is useful, but a hard patch of direct sun that crosses the print for hours is not. Keep framed paper art away from persistent steam, splashes and strong heat sources. A stable living or bedroom wall is usually kinder than a bathroom, cooking zone or uninsulated garage. A useful test is to photograph the wall morning, midday and afternoon so the sun path is clear. The mistake we see most often is hanging first and discovering glare, heat or moisture only after the print has settled. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
The kindest way to care for an art print is to prevent the problem before it reaches the paper.
Keep going with art prints, framed art, and our large wall art.
Handle paper with clean dry hands
Unframed prints should be held by the edges with clean, dry hands and supported with both hands. Do not pinch a corner, drag the surface across a table or place objects on top. Prepare a clean, dry working area before opening the package. Keep food, drinks, hand cream and adhesive tape away from the paper. A useful test is to have the frame, backing and clean surface ready before removing protective packaging. The mistake we see most often is opening the print in a crowded room and moving it between unsuitable surfaces. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
Afternoon Ritual by Mario Stefanelli Art Print · Cali Days I PT by Amy Hallam Art Print
Framing is part of preservation
A well-fitted frame creates a physical barrier against handling, dust and everyday knocks. The print should sit flat without buckling, and all materials touching it should be clean and suitable for artwork. Our framed pieces use crystal-clear acrylic glazing. If you frame locally, ask the framer how the print will be supported and whether anything will be permanently bonded to it. A useful test is to inspect the front and back before accepting the finished frame. The mistake we see most often is using pressure-sensitive tape or household glue directly on the printed paper. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
Keep going with frames and accessories, wall art care guide, and our fading prevention guide.
Dust gently and never spray the artwork
Use a clean, soft, dry microfibre cloth on the frame and acrylic surface. Support the frame with the other hand and use light pressure. Never spray cleaner onto the glazing because liquid can run into the edges and reach the print. For marks that do not lift with dry dusting, stop and ask for product-specific advice. A useful test is to dust little and often so grime does not build into a cleaning problem. The mistake we see most often is using paper towel, abrasive cloths or strong household products that can scratch the clear surface. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
Beach Club I by Amy Hallam Art Print · These Boots by Amy Hallam Art Print
Humidity, kitchens and bathrooms
Paper responds to moisture in the air. Persistent humidity can encourage waviness or damage over time, while rapid changes between damp and dry conditions can stress the print and backing. In kitchens, airborne grease adds another layer of risk. Choose a dry, well-ventilated wall away from showers, sinks, cooktops and exterior condensation. A useful test is to check the wall and frame after a humid week, not only on a dry installation day. The mistake we see most often is assuming glazing makes a frame sealed or suitable for a wet zone. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
Keep going with framing guide, weight and hanging guide, and our framed art buying guide.
Moving and storing art prints
When moving framed art, use two hands, keep the frame upright and protect the corners. Remove it from the wall before shifting nearby furniture. Store unframed prints flat in clean archival sleeves or suitable tissue, away from floors, roofs and exterior walls. Label protective packaging so tape never touches the artwork itself. A useful test is to plan the route and clear doorways before lifting a large frame. The mistake we see most often is carrying a frame by the top rail or stacking heavy objects against its glazed face. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
When to stop and ask for help
If paper shows new waviness, foxing-like spots, mould, water marks, fading or adhesion to glazing, do not experiment with home remedies. Photograph the issue in natural light and speak with the maker, framer or a paper conservator. Early advice usually protects more options than repeated cleaning attempts. A useful test is to document the front, back, wall position and room conditions before moving anything. The mistake we see most often is trying heat, moisture, bleach, solvents or internet restoration tricks on the original print. Step back to the doorway, then sit where the room is normally used. If the choice still feels balanced from both positions, it is doing its job.
Keep going with gallery quality guide, art sizing guide, and our safe placement ideas.
A simple care rhythm for real homes
Good care should fit ordinary life. Once each season, look at the artwork from the front and side in daylight. Check for new glare, direct sun, condensation, dust along the top rail and any change in the way the paper sits. Then look behind it without dragging the frame against the wall. Make sure the hanging points are secure, the bumpers still hold the frame away from the paint and no insects or moisture have collected around the backing. This five-minute check is more useful than aggressive cleaning because it catches a changing condition early.
Homes change around art. A new lamp may throw heat toward the frame, a renovated window may admit stronger afternoon sun, or a moved humidifier may alter the immediate environment. Treat placement as something worth reviewing rather than a decision made forever. If the frame is large, ask another person to help lift and rehang it. Protect the corners, keep fingers off the acrylic face as much as possible and confirm the hardware is still appropriate for the wall and finished weight.
After a move or renovation
Dust from sanding, plaster and building work can travel much further than expected. Remove art before work begins and store it in a clean, dry room that is not sharing air with the renovation zone. Wrap framed pieces with clean protective material, add corner protection and keep them upright with support across the full frame. Do not seal a damp frame into plastic. Wait until walls are fully dry, paint has cured and airborne dust has settled before rehanging.
For unframed prints, keep the package flat and supported during transport. Do not roll a print unless it was supplied for rolling and you have appropriate material and a tube wide enough to avoid a tight curl. When unpacking, allow the print and room to reach a similar temperature before opening protective layers. Sudden condensation can form when a cold package is opened in a warm, humid room.
Your art print care checklist
- Choose stable light and a dry, ventilated wall.
- Handle unframed paper only with clean, dry hands at the edges.
- Use secure hardware suited to the wall and finished weight.
- Dust the frame and acrylic with a soft, dry cloth.
- Never spray cleaner directly onto framed art.
- Move large frames with two people and protect the corners.
- Store unframed work flat in clean archival protection.
- Ask for advice before trying to treat marks, moisture or paper distortion.
What not to do when something changes
Do not flatten wavy paper under books, press the print against glazing, add heat from a hair dryer or place it in direct sun to dry. Do not use adhesive tape to stop movement inside a frame. Each of those actions can turn a reversible fitting or environmental problem into permanent damage. Isolate the likely cause, keep the artwork in a stable dry room and ask for advice with clear photographs.
Keep purchase details, size, product name and any framing information with your household records. If the piece is moved, reframed or passed to someone else, that small record helps the next person understand what materials they are handling. Care is easier when nobody has to guess how the work was made or what has already happened to it.
Care for the room as well as the artwork
Ventilation, steady indoor conditions and sensible cleaning protect more than the print. They also protect paint, furniture and soft furnishings. If a wall repeatedly shows condensation, mould or damp patches, solve the room problem before returning art to it. A frame should never be used to hide a wall that needs repair.
Ask before you clean, move or reframe
If you own an Olive et Oriel print and are unsure about a mark, frame or new hanging position, photograph it clearly and contact our customer care team before using any product. For new art, our design team can also preview placement on your wall so light, scale and location are considered before installation.
Made in Australia, Quality is our promise to you. Our art is made to order by our own team in our Central Coast manufacturing facilities, with real support before and after you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean an art print with a damp cloth?
Do not touch printed paper with a damp cloth. For framed art, use a clean, soft, dry microfibre cloth on the frame and acrylic surface, and never spray liquid directly onto it.
Does acrylic glazing make art safe in a bathroom?
No glazing makes a frame fully sealed against persistent humidity. Keep paper art away from showers, splashes, condensation and poorly ventilated wet areas.
How do I stop an art print from fading?
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and choose a wall with controlled ambient light. Check the sun path and glare before hanging.
How should I store an unframed art print?
Store it flat in clean archival protection, supported across the whole sheet and kept away from damp, heat, floors and exterior walls.
Can I use household glass cleaner on acrylic glazing?
Do not spray household cleaner onto the frame. Use a soft dry cloth for dust, and ask for product-specific advice before treating marks.
What should I do if a print becomes wavy or damp?
Move it away from the source without applying heat or pressure, photograph the condition and ask the maker, framer or a paper conservator for advice.
