Print care, display guide

For unframed archival pigment prints from Heading North. Keep the white border for handling and signature.

Sizes and borders

A-series with a white border: A4, A3, A2, A1.
A4 210×297 mm · A3 297×420 mm · A2 420×594 mm · A1 594×841 mm.
Framing: reveal 3–5 mm of the border or float the sheet.

Handling

  • Clean, dry hands or cotton/nitrile gloves.
  • Hold by edges only. Do not touch the printed area.
  • Support the sheet fully. Do not crease.
  • Keep liquids, sprays, and tape away from the print surface.

Acclimatise and flatten

  • Let the print rest in the framing room for 24 hours before mounting.
  • Do not reverse-roll tightly.
  • To flatten: sandwich between clean archival tissues and two flat boards.
  • Weight evenly for 24–48 hours at room conditions.

Short-term storage (before framing)

  • Store flat, or in a tube with acid-free interleaving.
  • Environment 18–24 °C, 30–50 % RH, dark.
  • Avoid PVC sleeves, attics, garages, and direct sun.
  • Do not leave in a tube for more than 2 weeks.

Framing best practice

Mount boards

  • Use museum or conservation boards: 100 % cotton rag or lignin-free, pH-neutral/buffered.
  • Back with the same grade board or acid-free foamboard.

Hinging

  • Reversible only: Japanese paper with wheat-starch paste, or water-activated gummed paper.
  • T-hinge for window mats. V-hinge through slits for float mounts.
  • Avoid pressure-sensitive tapes, spray adhesives, and dry-mount tissue.

Glazing

  • Use UV-filter glazing. Low-reflection or “museum” glass/acrylic improves visibility.
  • Acrylic: lighter, shatter-safe, more scratch-prone.
  • Glass: scratch-resistant, heavier, fragile.

Spacers and sealing

  • Keep the print off the glazing with a window mat or hidden spacer.
  • Fit frame bumpers for airflow.
  • Seal the frame back with non-offgassing materials.

Display

  • No direct sun. Avoid heaters, fireplaces, and damp walls.
  • Target light level ≤150 lux for works on paper; keep 30–50 % RH stable.
  • Hang clear of kitchens and bathrooms.

Cleaning and maintenance

  • Dust the frame only.
  • Clean glazing with a soft cloth.
  • For acrylic, use water with a small amount of mild soap. No ammonia cleaners.
  • Never spray cleaner into the frame. Never touch the print surface.

Longevity

Pigment inks on cotton papers, framed to conservation standards, have high stability under proper display.
Sprays, laminates, and non-reversible mounting reduce longevity.

Documentation

Keep the original packaging and the certificate of authenticity with your records.
Edition numbers on the COA match the print signature.