Care Guide — Joffzart
The Joffzart Manual

Care Guide

Our prints are made to last for generations. With a little care, the colours stay true, the paper stays crisp, and the frame keeps its quiet, considered finish. Here is everything you need to know.

01

Unboxing your print

Every print is rolled in archival tissue and shipped inside a sturdy protective tube, or flat-packed when framed. Take your time opening it — the first minutes set the tone for years on your wall.

  • Wash and dry your hands Oils and moisture can leave faint marks on archival paper. Handle prints by the edges only.
  • Open the tube from one end, slowly Remove the end cap and gently slide the rolled print out. Avoid squeezing the tube.
  • Let the print rest flat for 24 hours Lay it face-up on a clean, flat surface with a light weight on each corner (a book works well). The paper will relax and lie naturally.
  • Inspect before framing Check the print under daylight for any shipping marks. In the rare event of damage, photograph it and contact us within seven days — we'll replace it free of charge.
A small note

Resist the urge to flatten the print under heavy books for days. Archival paper has its own memory — a gentle weight overnight is enough.

02

Framing & mounting

A frame is more than a finishing touch — it protects the print from dust, humidity, and light. Whether you bought a framed print from us or are mounting it yourself, the same principles apply.

Our framed prints arrive ready to hang, with pre-installed hanging hardware on the back and protective acrylic glazing. If you're framing the print yourself, here is what to look for.

Recommended
  • — Solid wood or aluminium frames with acid-free backing
  • — UV-protective glass or acrylic glazing
  • — Acid-free passe-partout (mat) for extra depth
  • — Frames with depth, so the print does not touch the glass
Avoid
  • — Adhesive tape or glue directly on the print surface
  • — Cardboard backings with high acid content
  • — Frames where the glass presses against the paper
  • — Self-adhesive mounting sheets

If you are mounting the print yourself, use acid-free corner mounts or archival hinges. These hold the print in place without ever touching its surface — exactly how galleries and museums handle works on paper.

03

Hanging & placement

Where and how you hang a print shapes the way the room feels. A few quiet rules — used by interior stylists and gallery curators alike — make all the difference.

  • Hang at eye level The centre of the print should sit roughly 145–150 cm (57–60 inches) from the floor — the standard museum height. Lower it slightly above a sofa or console.
  • Leave breathing room above furniture When hung over a sofa, bed, or sideboard, leave 15–25 cm (6–10 inches) of space between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame.
  • For gallery walls, start in the centre Lay the arrangement out on the floor first. Begin hanging from the middle piece and work outward, keeping 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) of space between frames.
  • If you rent, use Command strips Our framed prints are intentionally lightweight, so removable adhesive strips hold them securely. One on each long side, pressed for 30 seconds, is all you need.
Stylist's tip

A print can transform a small wall when it sits slightly off-centre, leaving more space on one side. Symmetry is calming. Asymmetry is alive.

Art on paper rewards a little patience. Treat it as you would a quiet, well-made object — and it will keep its character for decades.
04

Light & environment

Even archival pigment inks have one quiet enemy: prolonged direct sunlight. The right environment keeps your print looking the way it did on day one — for many years to come.

Ideal
  • — Indirect or diffused daylight
  • — Stable room temperature (18–24°C / 64–75°F)
  • — Humidity between 40–60%
  • — Walls in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, offices
Not ideal
  • — Direct sunlight throughout the day
  • — Above radiators or fireplaces
  • — Bathrooms and kitchens with steam
  • — Damp basements or unheated rooms

Our pigment inks are rated for over 100 years of lightfastness under typical home conditions. The simplest protection is to position the print so it never sits in a direct beam of sun for more than a few hours a day.

05

Cleaning & maintenance

Once framed and hung, a print needs very little. A light dust now and then is enough — gentle hands always beat strong cleaners.

  • Use a dry, soft microfibre cloth Wipe the frame and glazing gently in one direction. Replace the cloth when it is no longer perfectly clean.
  • Avoid liquid sprays and household cleaners Glass cleaner can seep behind the frame and damage the paper. If you must, lightly dampen the cloth — never spray the print directly.
  • Never touch the print surface Even clean fingertips leave traces. If the print needs handling, use cotton gloves or hold it by the edges only.
  • Dust the frame edge weekly A soft brush — the kind used for camera lenses — keeps the moulding free of fine dust without scratching.
06

Storage & moving

If you need to store a print, or you are moving home, a little preparation keeps it in perfect condition for the next wall.

  • Store flat whenever possible Lay the print between two sheets of acid-free tissue paper, then between two pieces of stiff card. Keep horizontal in a dry, dark space.
  • If you must roll, roll loosely Use a tube wider than 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. Roll the print with the printed side facing outward, wrapped in archival tissue first.
  • Keep framed prints upright Stand framed prints vertically, glass-side facing another frame, with a soft cloth between them. Never stack flat — pressure can warp the frame.
  • When moving, wrap and label Wrap each framed print in glassine or bubble wrap (corners first), then cardboard. Mark the box clearly: Fragile — This Side Up.
Worth remembering

Cold, damp basements and hot, dry attics are the two most common places people lose prints. A spare closet inside the living space is almost always a better home.

Care, in short

Questions we hear most often

My print arrived slightly curled — is that normal?
Yes. Archival paper is rolled for safe shipping, and a gentle curl is completely normal. Lay the print flat under a light weight (a few books in each corner) for 24 hours and it will relax naturally. Avoid placing weight directly on the printed area.
Can I hang my print in the bathroom or kitchen?
We recommend against it. Steam, heat, and fluctuating humidity can affect both the paper and the frame over time. If you love the look, choose a well-ventilated guest bathroom and avoid placing the print directly above a shower or stove.
Will direct sunlight fade my print?
Our pigment inks are rated for over a century of typical indoor light. Continuous, harsh sunlight every day will eventually soften any colour — but a few hours of indirect or diffused light is perfectly safe. Choose a wall that does not sit in a direct sunbeam from morning to evening.
What is the best way to clean the glass on a framed print?
A dry microfibre cloth is almost always enough. If the glass is genuinely smudged, very lightly dampen the cloth with water — never spray cleaner directly onto the frame. Wipe in a single direction and avoid the corners where moisture can seep in.
My frame's hanging hardware feels loose. What should I do?
All of our frames are shipped with pre-installed sawtooth hangers or D-rings, depending on size. If anything feels loose, gently tighten the screws with a small Phillips screwdriver. If you need a replacement, contact us — we'll send the hardware free of charge.
Can I reframe a print I bought from you?
Absolutely. Our prints are cut to standard sizes that fit most off-the-shelf frames. When choosing a new frame, look for acid-free backing and a depth that prevents the glass from pressing against the paper. The print itself can be handled by the edges and slipped easily into a new frame.
How do I know if my print is genuinely archival?
Archival prints meet three criteria: acid-free paper, lignin-free paper, and lightfast pigment inks. Every Joffzart print is produced on museum-quality 250gsm archival matte paper with pigment inks rated for 100+ years under normal display conditions. The full specifications appear on every product page.
What if I damage my print accidentally?
We can usually help. If the damage happened in transit or due to a manufacturing issue within 30 days of delivery, we replace the print free of charge. If it happened later, contact us anyway — we offer returning customers a discount on a fresh copy of any print they have previously ordered.
Still have questions?

We're here to help

Our team responds within 24 hours, every day of the week. Whether it's about a print you already own or a piece you're considering, we'd love to hear from you.

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