Protecting Your Fine Art: Professional Care & Handling Guidelines

At North Idaho Fine Art Services, LLC, I understand that your artwork represents both financial investment and personal meaning. Drawing on standards established by leading museums and conservation institutions, we've compiled essential considerations for protecting your collection against environmental factors and handling-related damage.

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​If you’d rather not risk damage, I provide professional art handling, installation, and packing in Sandpoint/North Idaho, and surrounding areas.

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Environmental Protection: Climate Control

Temperature & Humidity Standards

Maintaining stable environmental conditions is fundamental to art preservation. Professional conservation organizations recommend maintaining relative humidity between 45-55% with an allowable drift of ±5%, yielding a range of 40-60%, and temperatures between 16-25°C (60-77°F).

 

Why It Matters:

• High humidity (above 65%) promotes mold growth and metal corrosion

• Low humidity (below 25%) causes embrittlement of paper, leather, and organic materials

• Temperature fluctuations accelerate chemical deterioration of adhesives and paint layers

• Most objects are composed of multiple materials, each with its own rate of thermal expansion and contraction, making sudden changes particularly damaging

 

Practical Recommendations:

• Avoid hanging artwork on exterior walls where temperature fluctuations are greatest

• Keep art away from heating vents, radiators, and air conditioning units

• Monitor conditions with a hygrometer if storing valuable pieces

• Consider climate-controlled storage for sensitive works requiring consistent conditions

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Light & UV Protection

The Invisible Threat

Sunlight is not recommended as a primary light source—it is very intense, causes extensive fading, and has a high UV component that causes damage at the chemical level. Ultraviolet radiation accelerates fading, yellowing, and structural weakening of artwork.

 

Protection Strategies:

• Placement: Avoid direct sunlight on any artwork. Even indirect light causes cumulative, irreversible damage

• UV Filtering: UV filtering acrylic glazing filters out 98-99% of harmful UV rays and provides superior protection for framed works

• Lighting Choices: Use LED lighting, which emits minimal UV radiation and generates little heat

• Sensitive Materials: Watercolors, works on paper, textiles, and photographs are especially vulnerable and require extra protection

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Professional Handling Practices

Preparation & Planning

Handle museum artifacts as little as possible, only by properly trained staff, never hurrying, and treating each object as precious. Every handling instance presents risk—thoughtful preparation minimizes it.

 

Essential Guidelines:

• Always wear clean cotton or nitrile gloves when handling artwork, particularly metal objects where fingerprints can cause permanent etching

• Inspect pieces before moving for flaking paint, loose frame elements, or structural weakness

• Plan your route and clear the path before lifting artwork

• Support artwork from the bottom and sides, never by the frame top or stretcher bars alone

• Paintings plus frames should be small enough to allow clear line of sight while in transit—approximately 40 cm (15.75 inches) in both directions for one person to handle safely

• Larger works require multiple handlers and proper equipment

 

What Not to Do:

• Never carry dissimilar materials together (metal and paper, for example)

• Never drag artwork across surfaces

• Never walk backwards while carrying art

• Avoid touching painted or delicate surfaces, even with gloves

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Proper Packaging Materials

Quality Matters

Using appropriate archival materials prevents chemical reactions and physical damage during transport or storage.

 

Recommended Materials:

• Acid-Free Tissue or Glassine: pH-neutral paper for direct contact with artwork surfaces

• Bubble Wrap: Provides cushioning but should not directly contact painted surfaces

• Archival Foam: Offers cushioning and shock absorption without chemical reactions

• Corner Protectors: Foam or cardboard guards for vulnerable edges and corners

• Custom Crating: Wooden crates or specially designed art boxes for valuable pieces

 

Materials to Avoid:

• Newspaper or non-archival paper (acidic and can stain)

• Standard cardboard boxes without proper padding

• Plastic wrap directly against painted surfaces (can leave impressions)

• Tape applied directly to frames or artwork surfaces

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Storage Best Practices

Short-Term vs. Long-Term

Storage requirements differ based on duration and artwork sensitivity.

 

Key Principles:

• Store artwork upright when possible, not flat or rolled (rolling can cause permanent creases)

• If stacking is necessary, use acid-free paper between pieces to prevent sticking

• The ideal storage environment maintains 70-72°F with 50% humidity—the museum standard

• Elevate artwork off floors to prevent moisture damage and accidental contact

• Use proper storage containers: solander boxes for small unframed works, protective sleeves for prints

• Avoid attics, basements, and garages where temperature and humidity fluctuate dramatically

 

Periodic Inspection: Regularly check stored artwork for signs of pest activity, moisture damage, or deterioration. Early detection prevents extensive restoration needs.

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Display Considerations

Thoughtful Placement

Where and how you display artwork significantly impacts its longevity.

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Display Guidelines:

• Position artwork away from direct sunlight, spotlights, and fluorescent lighting

• Maintain adequate spacing from heat sources and air circulation systems

• Use archival-quality matting and backing materials for framed works

• Consider UV-protective glazing for valuable or light-sensitive pieces

• Rotate displayed works periodically to distribute light exposure

• In high-traffic areas, ensure artwork is secure and protected from accidental contact

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The Value of Professional Expertise

While these guidelines provide a foundation for art care, valuable or historically significant pieces benefit from professional assessment. Conservators can evaluate specific needs based on materials, condition, and environmental factors unique to your collection and location.

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When to Consult Professionals:

• Before handling or moving large, fragile, or valuable works

• When planning long-term storage solutions

• If you notice deterioration, flaking, or other condition changes

• For custom framing with conservation-quality materials

• When arranging climate-controlled storage or insurance documentation

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Your artwork deserves the highest standard of care. At North Idaho Fine Art Services, LLC, we apply museum-quality practices to protect and preserve your collection. Contact us to discuss how we can help safeguard your investment for generations to come.