How to Display Prints and Paintings Without Damaging Them

Quick answer

To display prints and paintings without damage, keep them out of direct sun and damp rooms, hang them with proper hardware or frames, and never tape the artwork itself. If you see wavy paper, fading, or sticky residue, act fast: move the piece, reframe with archival materials, or accept that some damage cannot be reversed.

Symptom: wavy or rippled paper

Wavy paper usually means moisture or uneven tension. Hanging a print near a kettle, bathroom, or uninsulated wall lets humidity swell the fibers. Taping the top edge or clipping it to a board can also pull the sheet out of plane.

Corrective action: move the print to a dry interior wall, then frame it with a mat and backing board that support the whole sheet. If the paper is already cockled, gentle pressure under glass may flatten it over time, but creases from folding or taping will not disappear.

Symptom: colors look washed out or faded

Fading is almost always UV damage. Even indirect sunlight through a window can dull inks over months. The fix is prevention: hang art on walls that receive no direct sun, or use UV-filtering glass or acrylic when framing.

If fading has already started, there is no safe way to restore the original color. You can slow further loss by moving the piece to a dim spot, but plan to replace it if the artwork matters to you.

Symptom: sticky residue or torn corners from tape

Tape, putty, and clips leave adhesive that stains paper and can tear fibers when removed. This is the most common damage we see on unframed prints.

Corrective action: stop using tape directly on the art. For unframed prints, use a proper frame with a mat, or hang with museum putty on the back of a backing board, not the print. If residue is already there, do not rub it; consult a conservator for anything valuable.

Symptom: frame glass presses on the art

When glass touches the surface, humidity can cause the print to stick to the glass, leading to mold or torn paper. This happens with cheap frames that lack a mat or spacer.

Corrective action: add a mat or spacer to create an air gap. For works on canvas or thick paper, frame without glass. If the print is already stuck, do not force it apart; take it to a framer.

Symptom: hooks pull out or art hangs crooked

A single nail in drywall is not enough for a framed print over 5 pounds. The hook can pull out, dropping the art. Crooked hanging often means the wire is too tight or the hook is off-center.

Corrective action: use two hooks set slightly wider than the wire's natural angle, or use a French cleat for heavier pieces. Check that the hanging hardware is rated for the weight. If you rent and cannot make holes, use removable adhesive strips rated for the weight, but test on a hidden spot first.

Diagnosis guide: match the symptom to the fix

• Wavy paper: Likely cause: humidity or tape tension. Corrective action: move to a dry wall and frame with a mat. Stop if the paper is torn or creased; framing will not remove those marks. If the wave disappears when you press the sheet flat, framing may help. If not, the damage is permanent.
• Faded colors: Likely cause: UV light. Corrective action: relocate away from sun and use UV glass. Stop if fading is advanced; replacement is the only real option. Check the back of the print for a shadow where a frame edge was; that tells you how much light it has seen.
• Sticky residue: Likely cause: tape or putty. Corrective action: stop using adhesives on the art, frame properly. Stop if the paper is torn; see a conservator. Never try to remove residue with solvents or erasers; you will spread the stain.

Product facts

• We Can Be Loved Just As We Are Print: Screen-printed by hand on 100% cotton Cranes 110 lb lettra paper. 11" x 14". Frame not included. The cotton rag paper is absorbent and responds well to framing with a mat, but it can cockle if exposed to humidity. Since no frame is included, you choose the protection level.
• Things Will Work Out Print: Letterpress printed by hand on 100% cotton Cranes 110 lb lettra paper. 11 x 14 inches. Frame not included. Letterpress leaves a deep impression that can flatten under tight glass. Use a mat or spacer to keep the glass off the surface.