Collector Support
Care for Your Investment
Your Raphael Macek artwork is crafted using museum-quality archival pigment inks on premium fine art paper, designed to maintain its beauty and value for 100+ years. With proper care, your investment will be enjoyed for generations.
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Light Protection
UV-protective glass shields your artwork from harmful rays, but mindful placement away from direct sunlight extends its lifespan indefinitely.
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Climate Control
Stable temperature and humidity preserve the archival pigments and paper, preventing warping, fading, or foxing.
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Gentle Care
Simple, occasional maintenance with the right materials keeps your fine art photography looking pristine for decades to come.
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Choosing the Right Location
Where you display your artwork significantly impacts its longevity. Our framed works include museum-grade UV-protective glass that filters harmful rays, but thoughtful placement ensures your investment remains vibrant for generations.
Avoid direct sunlight—prolonged exposure causes gradual fading, even with UV glass protection
Position away from heating vents, radiators, fireplaces, and air conditioning units
Avoid exterior walls in climates with extreme temperature variations
Keep away from bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-humidity areas
Ensure stable room temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Standard incandescent lighting is safe; fluorescent lights emit harmful UV rays
Important Note
If you notice any changes in your artwork's appearance—color shifts, warping, or spotting—contact us immediately. Early intervention can often prevent permanent damage.
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Humidity & Climate
Archival fine art paper is hygroscopic—it naturally absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air. Maintaining stable humidity levels is essential for preventing warping, buckling, or foxing (brown spots caused by mold and oxidation).
Maintain relative humidity between 30-50% for optimal preservation
Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels in your display room
Consider a whole-home humidifier/dehumidifier for climate control
Avoid attics and basements where climate fluctuations are common
If shipping artwork to a different climate, allow 24-48 hours for acclimatization before unpacking
In coastal or tropical environments, silica gel packets near (not touching) the frame can absorb excess moisture
Important Note
For yacht or vacation home installations where climate may fluctuate seasonally, please contact us for specific recommendations tailored to your environment.
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Cleaning & Maintenance
Your framed artwork requires minimal maintenance. The UV-protective glass and sealed frame protect the print from dust and environmental contaminants. However, occasional gentle cleaning will keep your artwork looking its best.
Dust the frame and glass gently with a soft, dry microfiber cloth
For glass cleaning, spray ammonia-free cleaner onto the cloth—never directly onto the glass
Clean wooden frames with a slightly damp cloth, then dry immediately
Never use abrasive materials, paper towels, or household cleaning products
For stubborn dust, use short bursts of compressed air from at least 12 inches away
Do not blow on your artwork—you may deposit water droplets that can mark the surface
Unframed Prints
If you've purchased an unframed print, handle it only by the edges with clean, dry hands or lint-free cotton gloves. Natural skin oils can degrade the archival quality and leave permanent marks. Store flat in the provided archival packaging, away from light and humidity, until professional framing.
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Handling & Moving
Large-scale fine art requires careful handling when moving or repositioning. Improper handling can damage frames, scratch glass, or stress the mounted print. Treat your artwork as a museum curator would—with great respect and caution.
Always wear clean, lint-free cotton gloves when handling framed artwork
Carry framed works vertically with two hands—one on the side, one supporting the bottom
Never carry large works by the top edge alone—this stresses frame joints
When repositioning, have a second person assist with works over 40"
For long-distance moves, use professional art handlers with climate-controlled vehicles
Keep original shipping crates and archival packaging for future transport
Important Notes
If you're relocating your collection, we can recommend trusted art transport specialists in your area. Many collectors maintain their original shipping materials specifically for future moves.
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Understanding Archival Quality
Every Raphael Macek limited edition is printed using archival pigment inks on 100% cotton rag paper—the gold standard for fine art photography. This combination ensures exceptional longevity and color stability.
Archival pigment prints have a life expectancy of 100-200+ years with proper care
Cotton rag paper is acid-free and lignin-free, preventing yellowing and brittleness
Museum-quality framing uses only archival materials—acid-free mats, backing, and UV glass
Each print is sealed to protect against environmental contaminants
Certificate of Authenticity documents all materials used for provenance records
Framing Matters
If you've purchased an unframed print, we strongly recommend professional framing with archival materials. Standard framing materials contain acids that can damage your print over time. Never mount or dry-mount an archival print—the chemicals can cause deterioration.