Caring for your Sjoukje Bierma giclée print
Giclée prints are renowned for their extreme longevity and for delivering near-perfect integrity to the original work (colours, brush-strokes and textures); this is why they are displayed in the world’s finest museums, art galleries and private art collections.
Correctly cared for, your Sjoukje Bierma Illustrations giclée print should bring pleasure to you and your loved ones for generations.
Please read and follow the care instructions below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact form or by e-mail (info@sjoukjebiermaillustrations.com) and we shall be happy to advise.
General points for handling your giclée print
Giclée prints should be cared for in the same way as an original piece of art.
This means that dirt, dust, moisture, oils, adhesives, solvents, heat, and anything that could scratch, dent or crease the paper should all be avoided when you are handling your print.
We therefore recommend taking your print directly to the framer, in its packaging. However, if you want to unpack your print at home, here are some general handling guidelines:
- Use clean, dry hands at all times to handle your print (or, even better, white cotton gloves) as skin oils can stain the paper;
- Use two hands to support your print so it will not bend as dents and creases in the print are also likely to be permanent;
- Hold your giclée print only at the very edges of the paper to avoid finger-smudges on the face of the print which will be very difficult or impossible to remove;
- Use a clean and dry, flat, smooth and hard surface for laying your print out (face up);
- Keep your new giclée print covered with the acid-free tissue paper (or the acid-free protective sleeve for smaller prints) in which it was packed by us, until it is framed, to avoid damage;
- Don’t use your hands to wipe off any dust as this can also damage the surface of your giclée print – use a dry, clean, white lint-free cloth or a photographer’s lens-brush.
Flattening your rolled-up giclée print
- Prepare a flat, smooth, hard surface for working. Clean it of any grit and particles that might bruise, scratch, or stain your print.
- Unpack the inner tube from the outer tube; your print is wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and rolled around the outside of this inner tube.
- Remove the strips of adhesive tape from the tissue paper and discard them (you don’t want sticky tape accidentally sticking to your giclée print!);
- Keeping the print inside the protective acid-free tissue sleeves, carefully remove it from the inner tube and unroll it;
- Lay the print out, image side up, on the flat surface;
- With the tissue paper still covering the print’s image, place a few clean and dry, smooth, flat and heavy objects (i.e. books) on the ends and around the middle of the print;
- Let your giclée print relax over-night, at least – if it still isn’t flat when you remove the books, replace them for a few more hours.
- Please never scrape the back of your print over the edge of a table or use an iron, steam, or moisture to flatten it – this will certainly damage it!
Framing your giclée print
We strongly recommend that you get your print professionally framed.
Ask for archival, acid-free materials for mats and backing, as this will add to the life of the print.
Non-reflective glass – ideally UV protected – is also definitely worth the additional investment for displaying and protecting your print.
Displaying your giclée print
As with any valued fine piece, giclée prints should be displayed in indirect lighting conditions and away from any contact with moisture. Prolonged direct sunlight is likely to cause discolouration in your print (as it will with furniture, carpets, wallpaper, etc). High humidity, heat, airborne dust, solvents, adhesives, smoke and other similar contaminants can also permanently damage your print.
In other words, don’t hang them in your greenhouse, your bathroom, your unventilated kitchen or your workshop…
