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Unpacking
Handle prints by the edges, ideally with clean dry hands or cotton gloves. Fingerprints leave oils on photo paper and can become visible under angled light.
Rolled prints want a day or two flat under a clean weighted board before framing. Don't try to flatten one by rolling it the other way.
Framing
Use acid-free mount board and backing. Ordinary card contains lignin, which yellows and will eventually transfer that discolouration into the print.
A mount is not just decorative: it holds the paper off the glazing. A print pressed against glass can stick to it over time, particularly in a humid room.
For valuable or limited-edition work, ask a professional framer for conservation-grade materials and reversible mounting. Avoid spray adhesive, pressure-sensitive tape and any method that permanently bonds the print to its backing.
Where to hang it
Keep prints out of direct sunlight. Quality photographic prints are made to last under normal indoor lighting, but nothing survives hours of direct sun.
Avoid bathrooms, and avoid hanging directly above a radiator or a working fireplace. Stable temperature and moderate humidity do more for longevity than anything else.
Standard gallery practice is to hang so the centre of the image sits about 1450mm from the floor — roughly eye level for most people standing.
Cleaning
Clean the glazing, never the print. A dry microfibre cloth is enough; if you use a spray, spray the cloth and not the frame, so nothing runs down inside.
Dust an unframed print with a soft brush only. Never use a damp cloth on the printed surface.