Digital Prints

Display Permanence
We covered print permanence in general in Chapter 5, but here is more as it relates specifically
to print displays. Whenever prints are on view, they are usually the most vulnerable
to the factors that can decrease their longevity. Here are some basic display tips for prints:
Permanence and Print Display Tips
■ Avoid displaying or storing prints outdoors.
■ The lower the display light levels, the better. Lux levels of 100–200 lux is usually more
than enough. Spotlights are a good choice, but turn them off when prints are not being
actively viewed.
■ Never expose prints to even one ray of direct sunlight.
■ Display paper prints behind glass or Plexiglas. Use a protective coating on canvas prints.
■ Protect against extreme temperature fluctuations with central or room air conditioners
and/or heating systems. However, don’t display prints near radiators, heaters, or the ducts
themselves.
■ Avoid high-humidity exposure by using dehumidifiers. Do not hang prints in bathrooms
or kitchens unless they are sealed appropriately. To help moderate humidity fluctuations,
use vapor barriers or frame desiccants like silica gel in the print frames.
■ If prints are unprotected, keep them away from sources of ozone, such as air cleaners,
copying machines, or other generators of high-voltage electricity.
■ Follow the example of museums and limit the total amount of exposure to light any single
piece of artwork receives. One way to do this is by artwork rotation, periodically moving
pieces from the wall to storage.
Chapter 9 ■ Finishing and Displaying Your Prints 305
Famed photographer Elliott Erwitt
stands with his pinned-to-the-wall HP
inkjet prints of photos taken at Truman
Capote’s 1966 Black & White Ball. This
“Color Work” show was part of a
month-long series of “Magnum in May”
exhibitions in New York City in 2004.