How to Frame and Display Art Prints Without Damage
By Frog & Toad Press | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to frame and display art prints safely with acid-free materials, UV protection, and smart hanging habits that prevent fading, moisture, and surface damage.
Quick answer
Frame art prints with acid-free mats or backing, UV-filtering glazing, and a sealed dust cover, then hang them out of direct sunlight and away from damp walls. Check the frame and print every six months so you can catch moisture, pests, or fading before the paper stains or warps.
Start with a clean, dry workspace
Lay a clean sheet of kraft paper or a lint-free cloth on a table before you unwrap the print. Wash and dry your hands, or wear clean cotton gloves, because skin oils and dust can leave marks that show up later under glazing. Keep food, drinks, and pets out of the area, and work in a room with low humidity if possible.
Choose acid-free materials for anything touching the print
Standard cardboard, foam board, and many inexpensive mats contain lignin and acids that migrate into paper over time, causing yellowing and brittle edges. Use acid-free mat board, acid-free backing board, and archival mounting corners or hinging tape. If a ready-made frame comes with a brown corrugated backer, replace it with acid-free board before closing the frame.
Add UV-filtering glazing and a dust cover
Glass and acrylic both protect the surface, but UV-filtering glazing slows fading from indirect light. Acrylic is lighter and safer for large frames; glass is more scratch-resistant but heavier. Seal the back of the frame with a dust cover — kraft paper or a fitted backing board — to keep insects and dust out of the package.
Hang away from sunlight, heat, and moisture
Direct sun fades inks quickly, so avoid south- and west-facing walls unless you use UV glazing and accept that some fading may still occur. Keep frames at least a few inches from radiators, vents, and stoves. In bathrooms or basements, use a dehumidifier or choose a different room; prolonged dampness can cause mold and rippling.
Use the right hanging hardware and check it twice a year
For small to medium frames, two hooks set slightly wider than the frame’s hanging wire reduce sway. For heavy frames, use two wall anchors or a French cleat. Press gently on the frame’s corners after hanging to confirm it sits flat. Every six months, take the frame down, inspect the print for foxing or ripples, and dust the glazing with a dry microfiber cloth.
Steps to frame and display prints without damage
- Prepare a clean, dry workspace: Clear a table, line it with kraft paper, and wash or glove your hands before handling the print. Checkpoint: no dust, crumbs, or oily fingerprints on the paper surface.
- Swap in acid-free mat and backing: Replace any acidic cardboard or foam board that touches the print with acid-free mat board and backing board. Checkpoint: every layer in direct contact with the print is labeled acid-free or archival.
- Install UV-filtering glazing: Choose glass or acrylic with a UV filter, and make sure the glazing does not press directly against the print surface. Checkpoint: the print sits behind a mat or spacers, not against the glazing.
- Seal the back with a dust cover: Attach a kraft paper dust cover or fitted backing board to the back of the frame to block insects and dust. Checkpoint: no gaps around the frame edge where pests can enter.
- Hang away from sun, heat, and damp: Choose an interior wall that receives only indirect light and stays away from radiators, vents, and bathrooms. Checkpoint: the frame is not in direct sunlight and not within a few inches of a heat source.
- Inspect and dust every six months: Take the frame down, look for ripples, foxing, or fading, and dust the glazing with a dry microfiber cloth. Checkpoint: address any moisture or pest signs immediately before they spread.
Product facts
- Be Kind Print: Be Kind Print is an 8.5" x 11", 6-color screen print on 100# paper, sealed in a plastic sleeve with a hardboard backer. The hardboard backer protects the print in transit, but for long-term framing, replace it with acid-free backing board to avoid acid migration.
- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Christmas Card: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Christmas Card is printed on A2, 100#, 100% recycled white paper and comes with a kraft envelope. If you frame this card as a small art print, its recycled paper may be more sensitive to moisture, so use a sealed frame and keep it out of damp areas.
