Whether you’ve just purchased your first print or you’re curating a growing collection, knowing how to properly care for your artwork is essential. Art isn’t just decorative—it holds personal meaning, cultural value, and in many cases, long-term financial worth. Proper care ensures that your pieces remain vibrant, protected, and enduring for years to come.
Artwork can be delicate. From UV light and humidity to pests and poor framing, the threats to your collection may not always be visible—but the damage can be lasting. Thankfully, with the right knowledge and simple preventive measures, you can avoid the most common hazards.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to safeguard your collection: how to frame artwork using archival materials, where and how to store it, how to handle environmental factors, and even how to preserve digital pieces and NFTs. Whether you’re displaying a £50 watercolour or a rare signed print, this article will help you care for your art like a pro.
Framing Best Practices
A frame does more than make your artwork look polished—it’s your first line of defence against light, moisture, dust, and physical damage. Whether you’re framing a £30 print or a prized original, using proper materials and techniques is essential for long-term preservation.
Choose Archival, Acid-Free Materials
Standard framing materials may contain acids that can slowly discolour or degrade your artwork over time. Opt for acid-free or conservation-grade mounts and backing boards. These materials help prevent yellowing and preserve the integrity of paper, canvas, or textile-based pieces.
Use UV-Filtering Glass or Acrylic
UV light is one of the leading causes of fading in artwork. If you plan to hang your piece in a well-lit room, choose glass or acrylic with UV protection. Museum-grade glazing offers both clarity and a high level of protection from damaging light exposure.
DIY vs. Professional Framing
While ready-made frames are convenient and cost-effective, they’re not always ideal for valuable or unusually sized works. A professional framer can offer custom solutions, archival materials, and expert guidance—especially for delicate media like pastels, textiles, or works on paper.
Keep It Secure and Breathable
Avoid taping artwork directly to the backing or using adhesives that touch the art itself. Art should be gently held in place with photo corners, hinges, or a mount, allowing it to expand or contract naturally with humidity.
Avoid Direct Contact with Glass
Artworks—especially those on paper—should never sit flush against the glass. Use a mount or spacer to create a small air gap. This prevents condensation damage, mildew, and smudging, particularly with charcoal or ink.
💡 Tip: If you’re displaying artwork in high-humidity rooms like kitchens or bathrooms, consider displaying framed prints or digital reproductions instead of irreplaceable originals.
Storage Solutions for All Art Types
Not all artwork stays on display. Whether you’re rotating pieces, downsizing a collection, or keeping items safely archived, proper storage is crucial to preserving the quality and value of your artwork. Different media require different approaches, but a few core principles apply to all.
📦 Store Upright, Not Flat
For framed works, canvases, and even mounted prints, upright storage is generally best. Stack them vertically, like books on a shelf, with padding in between to prevent abrasions or warping. Avoid piling works flat unless they are extremely lightweight and separated by acid-free paper.
🧻 Use Archival Materials
Wrap unframed works in acid-free tissue paper or glassine sheets, and place them in portfolios or sturdy, labelled storage boxes. Avoid plastic coverings unless they’re archival-safe, as they can trap moisture and lead to mould growth.
🌡️ Control Temperature and Humidity
Store your art in a climate-stable, indoor environment—not in basements, attics, garages, or anywhere prone to temperature swings. Ideal conditions are around 18–21°C and 40–50% relative humidity. Use silica gel packs for small enclosed spaces and dehumidifiers if needed.
🕷️ Avoid Dust, Light, and Pests
Keep artworks out of direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting, or areas exposed to dust and insects. Avoid storage near kitchens or utility rooms where steam, smoke, or chemical residues could affect the materials.
🗂️ Catalogue and Label Everything
Even in storage, keep your works inventoried. Use soft pencil on the reverse of labels or acid-free tags to note titles, artists, and dates. A spreadsheet or digital tracker with photos makes managing your collection easier over time.
💡 Tip: Never store artworks directly on concrete floors. Use shelves, pallets, or raised racks to prevent moisture absorption.
Environmental Risks and How to Avoid Them
Even the most beautifully framed and carefully stored artwork can suffer if its environment isn’t right. Sunlight, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and pests are silent threats that can cause fading, warping, mould, and irreversible damage. Fortunately, most of these risks can be managed with a few thoughtful precautions.
🌞 Sunlight and UV Exposure
Direct sunlight is one of the most damaging elements for artwork. It can cause colours to fade and paper or canvas to become brittle over time. Hang art away from sunlit windows or use UV-filtering glass or acrylic in your frames. For added protection, apply UV window films or sheer curtains in bright rooms.
💧 Humidity and Temperature Fluctuations
Excess humidity can lead to mould growth, warping, and paper buckling, while extreme dryness may cause paint to crack or canvas to tighten. Aim to keep your indoor climate between 40–50% relative humidity and 18–21°C. Avoid placing art near radiators, air vents, fireplaces, or damp external walls.
🌡️ Room Choice Matters
Kitchens, bathrooms, and conservatories often experience sharp changes in heat and moisture. These spaces are best reserved for digital prints or reproductions rather than irreplaceable originals. If you must hang art in these areas, use sealed frames with moisture barriers.
🐜 Pests and Pollutants
Insects like silverfish, moths, and woodworm can attack paper, textiles, and wooden frames. Dust and airborne pollutants can also discolour and degrade surfaces over time. Regular cleaning, sealed storage, and keeping food and plants away from artworks can reduce these risks.
💡 Tip: If you’re displaying valuable artwork, consider using a basic hygrometer and dehumidifier to monitor and manage room conditions year-round.
Caring for Digital and NFT Artwork
Digital and NFT (non-fungible token) art may not need a frame or humidity control, but it still requires careful storage, organisation, and long-term planning. Without physical deterioration risks, the challenges shift toward data security, hardware redundancy, and technological relevance.
💾 Store Digital Files Securely
Download and back up all digital artworks you purchase—even if it’s from a reputable platform. Use multiple storage locations, such as:
- External hard drives (preferably SSDs)
- Cloud storage with encryption
- Offline cold storage for high-value NFTs
Label each file clearly with metadata like artist name, title, purchase date, and edition number.
🔐 Protect Wallets and Keys
If your digital artwork is blockchain-based (NFT), your ownership is tied to a crypto wallet. Keep your wallet credentials, recovery phrases, and access keys stored securely—ideally offline in multiple formats (e.g. paper and encrypted USBs). Losing your wallet means losing your art.
🖼️ Display Options for Digital Art
Modern digital art deserves more than a desktop folder. Consider:
- Smart frames like Meural or Infinite Objects for stills and looping videos
- High-resolution screens in ambient display mode
- Dedicated gallery displays for VR and generative pieces
⏳ Plan for Tech Obsolescence
Keep your file formats up to date. .PNG, .MP4, and .TIFF are stable formats, while niche or proprietary types may become unsupported over time. Stay aware of platform changes, especially if the work is tied to a specific blockchain ecosystem.
💡 Tip: Create a simple digital art catalogue that includes thumbnails, ownership proof, storage paths, and notes about the artist or artwork’s story.
Insurance, Documentation & Inventory Tips
Whether you’re collecting on a modest budget or building a valuable portfolio, properly documenting and protecting your artwork is essential. Not only does it support insurance claims and resale value—it also helps you manage and enjoy your collection over time.
🧾 Keep Records of Every Acquisition
Maintain clear records for every piece you own, including:
- Title and artist’s name
- Date of acquisition and price paid
- Medium, dimensions, and edition number (if applicable)
- Sales invoice, certificate of authenticity, and provenance documents
Use a dedicated folder (digital or physical) to keep everything together. For digital art, store documents alongside the artwork file or on a secure cloud backup.
🗂️ Create a Collection Catalogue
A simple spreadsheet or art inventory app helps track your collection as it grows. Include thumbnails, storage location, condition notes, and framing details. You might also add:
- Links to artist bios or exhibition history
- Insurance value or appraisal records
- Notes on your personal connection to the piece
🔐 Consider Art Insurance
If your collection has grown beyond a few inexpensive prints—or includes rare or high-value items—it’s wise to consider specialist art insurance. Standard contents insurance may not provide adequate cover for art, especially if it’s not specifically itemised.
Many policies can cover:
- Accidental damage or loss
- Theft or fire
- Transit and exhibition risks
Get an up-to-date valuation if you’re unsure of a piece’s current worth.
🧠 Think Ahead for Estate Planning
For serious collectors, maintaining detailed records ensures your collection can be appraised, sold, gifted, or passed down properly in future. Good documentation gives your collection a lasting legacy—beyond the visual.
💡 Tip: Update your records annually, especially after new purchases, framing changes, or market valuation shifts.
Quick Checklist: Caring for Your Artwork
Need a quick reference? This checklist covers the essentials for protecting and preserving your art collection—whether it’s hanging proudly on your wall or stored for the future.
✅ Framing & Display
- Use UV-filtering glass or acrylic
- Choose acid-free mounts and backing boards
- Keep artwork out of direct sunlight and heat
- Avoid hanging in kitchens, bathrooms, or damp spaces
- Use spacers to prevent contact with glass
✅ Storage
- Store upright (not flat) when possible
- Wrap unframed works in acid-free tissue or glassine
- Maintain stable temperature (18–21°C) and humidity (40–50%)
- Elevate storage off the ground
- Avoid plastic covers unless archival-grade
✅ Environmental Control
- Monitor humidity with a hygrometer
- Use curtains or UV window film in sunny rooms
- Regularly clean display areas to prevent dust and pests
- Don’t place art near radiators, vents, or fireplaces
✅ Digital & NFT Art
- Back up files to external drives and cloud storage
- Store crypto wallets and recovery phrases securely
- Keep ownership certificates or screenshots
- Convert artworks to stable, widely supported file formats
- Consider smart frames or digital displays for presentation
✅ Documentation & Insurance
- Record artist, title, date, medium, and price
- Keep certificates, receipts, and provenance in one folder
- Photograph each piece for insurance and inventory
- Update records yearly or after each new acquisition
- Consider specialist art insurance for high-value works
Final Thoughts: Long-Term Care Is a Long-Term Gift
Caring for your artwork isn’t just about preserving an object—it’s about protecting a story, a memory, or an investment. Whether it’s a £50 student print or a valuable original, every piece in your collection deserves thoughtful stewardship.
By framing with care, storing with intention, and staying vigilant about environmental factors, you ensure that your artwork remains vibrant and meaningful for years to come. For digital works, secure storage and thorough documentation are equally essential in preserving value and authenticity.
Remember: the most enduring collections are those that evolve hand-in-hand with knowledge. Take time to learn, seek advice when needed, and revisit your collection regularly—not just to maintain it, but to reconnect with why you started collecting in the first place.
💡 Next steps:
Explore our guide on How to Authenticate Art: A Beginner’s Guide or the the Top Ten Affordable Art Styles.
Your art deserves care. And that care begins with you.