How you store your paintings can affect how long they last. This blog post will discuss how to store paintings both short and long-term. We will cover the basics of protecting your paintings from damage, choosing the right storage space, and packing your paintings for transport. Follow these guidelines, and your paintings will be safe and sound for years to come!
Protection
The first step in storing your paintings is to protect them from damage. Paintings are delicate objects, and they can be easily damaged by careless handling. Make sure to handle your paintings with care, and avoid touching the surface of the painting with your hands. If you must touch the painting, wear gloves or use a soft cloth.
Paintings are also susceptible to damage from light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. To protect your paintings from these elements, store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. If possible, store your paintings in a climate-controlled storage unit or space. We'll get into that next.
Understanding the risks involved in storing your paintings is the first step in keeping them safe and sound. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure that your paintings will be around for years.
Storage Space
When choosing a storage space for your paintings, pick an area that is clean, dry, and free of pests. Avoid storing your paintings in damp basements or garages, as these spaces can be humid and may attract pests. Here are some options:
Storage Unit
Storage units are an excellent option for storing paintings, as they are typically clean, dry, and climate-controlled. Just make sure to choose a big unit to accommodate all of your paintings, and be sure to wrap each painting individually before placing it in the unit. If you are storing your paintings long-term, consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit from a reputable company.
Art Gallery
If you have valuable or particularly fragile paintings, you may want to consider storing them in an art gallery. Art galleries are climate-controlled and have security systems to protect the artwork from theft.
Friend or Family's House
If you don't have the space or budget for a storage unit or an art gallery, you can ask a friend if you can store your paintings at their house. Just pick a friend who lives in a clean, dry place with no pets.
Packing Your Paintings
Once you have chosen a storage space, it's time to pack your paintings for transport. This is the most crucial part of learning how to store artwork properly.
Prepare Each Canvas
Before you do anything, prepare each canvas individually for storage. This includes cleaning the surface of the painting and protecting the edges.
To clean the surface of your painting, gently wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth. If any areas of the painting are particularly dirty, you can spot-clean them with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners, as these can damage the paint.
To protect the edges of your painting, you can use masking tape, painter's tape, or self-adhesive felt pads. Simply place the tape or pads around the edges of the painting, taking care not to cover any part of the painting itself.
Pack the Paintings
Once your paintings are clean, and the edges are protected, you can start packing them away.
If you are storing your paintings long-term, we recommend wrapping each painting in acid-free paper or bubble wrap and placing it in a cardboard box. You can set the wrapped paintings in plastic storage bins for added protection. Just be sure to label the boxes and bins, so you know what's inside.
Also, you may want to consider investing in acid-free storage boxes for long-term storage. In these boxes, paintings and other artwork are protected from damage caused by moisture and other environmental factors.
If you are storing your paintings short term, you could skip the wrapping step and just place them in cardboard boxes or plastic storage bins. Again, be sure to label the boxes and containers, so you know what's inside.
And if they are leaving your home and you use a moving truck or van, make sure you don't put things on top of the paintings. You don't want anything to fall on them and damage the paintings.
If you are hiring a professional to move your paintings, choose a company that specializes in art shipping. These companies will have the experience and expertise needed to pack and transport your paintings properly.
Storing Your Paintings
Once your paintings are packed away, it's time to store them in your chosen storage space.
If you use a storage unit, we recommend placing the paintings on shelves, in storage bins, or on furniture pads. Just be sure not to stack the paintings too high, as this could cause them to topple over.
If you are storing your paintings in an art gallery, the gallery staff will likely take care of everything for you. Just be sure to ask how they recommend storing the paintings. Or, if it's a personal art gallery, make sure you trust the homeowner.
And if you are storing your paintings at a friend or family member's house, be sure to ask how they recommend storing the paintings. It's their home, so they'll probably want some say over the matter. You don't want to leave them lying around, as this could damage the paintings or make them more likely to be stolen.
Conclusion
With a little bit of planning, you can easily and safely store your paintings both long & short-term. Just be sure to choose a suitable storage space and take the time to pack and label the paintings properly. And if you have any questions, be sure to reach out. We are more than happy to help you out. Those who take the extra time to learn how to store paintings safely are sure to see the results.