A print is only as good as what it’s printed on. Here is exactly what we use, why, and how to look after it — we’d rather be checked on the details than vague about them.
The paper
| Spec | What we use | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 240 gsm matte fine-art cotton paper | Heavy enough to lie dead flat in a frame; no plasticky sheen |
| Surface | Smooth matte, subtle natural texture | No glare under lamps or opposite windows |
| Base | Acid-free, lignin-free (archival) | Won’t yellow or go brittle with age |
| Border | Generous white margin on all sides | Frames beautifully with or without a mat |
The ink — what “giclée” actually means
Giclée is fine-art inkjet printing with pigment inks rather than dye: microscopic solid pigment particles that sit in the cotton fibre instead of soaking in and fading. Rated lightfastness is decades under normal indoor display — this is the same process museums and galleries use for editioned prints. The practical difference: colours stay where the artist put them.
The oak frames
- Moulding: solid oak, thin gallery profile, natural finish
- Glazing: crisp acrylic — lighter and far safer in shipping than glass, and it blocks most UV
- Backing: rigid board, print fitted with a white mat, hanging hardware pre-mounted
- Frames are included only on products named “Framed” — in-room photos of regular prints show frames for styling inspiration
Flattening a rolled print
Unframed prints ship rolled in rigid tubes — the safest way for paper to travel. To flatten: unroll, lay the print face up on a clean flat surface, cover with a sheet of paper, and weigh the corners down with books. Small sizes settle overnight; give 61 × 91 cm up to 48 hours. Never roll it the opposite way — cotton fibre remembers.
Caring for your print
- Hang out of prolonged direct sunlight — archival inks resist fading, but no paper loves a south-facing window unprotected
- Avoid bathrooms and other high-humidity rooms; cotton paper ripples in steam
- Handle unframed prints by the border edges; skin oils mark matte surfaces
- Dust frames with a dry soft cloth — no sprays or solvents on acrylic glazing