All fine art prints, as originals, require proper care and display conditions.  Avoid storage and display in areas of direct light, high humidity or moisture, and severe temperatures.  Ideal conditions are in the ranges of 65-75°F and 40-60% relative humidity.  Lithographic prints.  Solvent-based or UV-curable Inks used in lithographic or off-set printing do not need to be treated against humidity.  However, they remain susceptible to scratching and will fade over time if displayed in direct sunlight. 

Serigraphs / Silkscreen Prints:  Inks or paints used in these processes typically contain plastisol and permanent pigments and do not need to be treated against humidity.  However, they remain susceptible to scratching and will fade over time if displayed in direct sunlight.

Canvas Transfers: 
• Paper Prints mounted unto canvas are typically protected by a laminating film, which prevents most scratching and humidity exposure.  If they are not, we recommend that they be top-coated or displayed behind glass.  However, they will fade over time, as any paper poster, if displayed in direct sunlight. 

• Photographs mounted onto canvas are susceptible to scratching, dust, high heat & humidity, and Ultraviolet light exposure.  As such we strongly recommend that all Photographs be top-coated, displayed out of direct sunlight and out of exposure to high humidity or moisture.  Inkjet / Giclée Prints are susceptible to scratching, dust, high heat & humidity, Ultraviolet light exposure and other elements in the environment, such as ozone.  As such we strongly recommend that all Inkjet Canvas Prints be sealed and displayed out of direct sunlight and out of exposure to high humidity or moisture.

Recommended Top-Coats: 
Solvent-based Artist & Photo Quality Sprays:   Most inkjet canvases require a solvent-based top-coat, as the inkjet coatings are water soluble.  There are many artist and photo quality lacquers on the market.  Key in choosing the right one for your print is that it be non-yellowing and compatible with your inkjet coating & inks.

• Sureguard McDonald Photo Lacquers
• Clearstar Coatings

Water-based Top-Coats:   You can use these ONLY on our Fredrix® 901WR & 575WR water resistant inkjet canvases.  Again, there are several artist and photo quality products on the market.  Key in choosing the right one for your print is that it be non-yellowing and compatible with your inkjet coating & inks.

Archival Framing:   To prolong the life of any print and protect is from humidity, moisture & mold, it is recommended to seal the back of the print with wax paper or a solvent-based lacquer.   Please remember that canvas prints and original paintings can take on humidity and moisture through the backside of the print.  This can be detrimental to the life of the print, especially water-based inkjet prints. Most canvas prints will be displayed without glass and matt boards.  However, if they are used only use archival quality materials for mats, backing and spacers.

Fredrix® PrintCanvasTM Disclaimer
All Fredrix® PrintCanvasTM products are primed with an acid-free, acrylic titanium gesso to provide for the long term archival quality of the canvas. However, some printing processes (i.e., inkjet) utilize water-based inks produced with dyes which are less permanent than pigments, and may not be archival. Because of the many diverse and uncontrollable applications in the marketplace, every process may not be archival. To provide for more permanent protection of your print and to protect it from temperature, humidity, poor air quality, ultraviolet light and extreme conditions of handling, we suggest that your inkjet prints be finished off with a U.V. protective coating to extend the life of the print. Tara Materials, Inc.® accepts no responsibility for liability greater than the replacement value of our canvas. In no event shall Tara® be liable for incidental, consequential or punitive damages as a result of your use of Fredrix® PrintCanvasTM products.

For assistance, call our Technical Director at 1-800-241-8129 or 1-770-963-5256 ext. 152.