Framing Japanese Prints: Conservation Methods That Protect Value
A print's paper is its value. Woodblock prints are made on soft, absorbent Japanese paper; contemporary editions often use fine papers and light-sensitive inks. Framing that looks good on the day can, with the wrong materials, stain, fade or cockle a print within years. These are the methods conservators use.
Hinges, not tape
A print should hang from small hinges of Japanese tissue attached with wheat or rice starch paste, which can be removed with water without damage. Never use pressure-sensitive tape, masking tape or glue, which yellow, stain and are hard to remove. Never dry-mount a print to board.
Acid-free mats and backing
Use museum-quality, acid-free mat board and backing. Ordinary card releases acid that browns paper over time, often leaving a tell-tale line where the mat touched the print. The mat also keeps the print away from the glazing.
Glazing
Choose glass or acrylic that filters ultraviolet light. Acrylic is lighter and safer for large frames but can attract dust through static, so it is unsuitable for prints with loose pigment. The print should never touch the glazing; use a mat or spacers.
Light and placement
- Keep prints out of direct sunlight, and away from bright spotlights.
- Avoid hanging on exterior walls, above radiators or in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Rotate favourite works, resting them in a folder for months at a time.
The pigments of Edo and Meiji prints, and fluorescent or metallic inks in contemporary editions, fade quickly. Damage from light cannot be reversed.
Before framing
- Record the print's edition number, signature and any seals with photographs.
- Keep packaging and documentation, which support resale.
- Do not trim margins: untrimmed prints are worth more.
Questions collectors ask
Should I float-mount a print to show its edges?
Float-mounting with Japanese tissue hinges is fine and shows untrimmed margins beautifully, as long as the print is spaced from the glazing.
Can an old frame damage a print I already own?
Yes. If a print has been in an old frame for years, have a framer check the materials.
Is it safer to keep prints unframed?
Stored flat in acid-free folders in the dark, prints last longest. Framing is for enjoyment, done carefully.