Print care guide.

Lost Collective prints are produced on two substrates. How you care for a print depends on which one you have.

How long the print lasts

Both substrates are made for long-term display. Ilford Galerie Smooth Cotton Rag is 100% cotton, acid-free, free of optical brighteners, and rated for archival paper permanence under ISO 9706. The pigment inks are made for the same. Kept out of direct sunlight, behind UV-filtering glazing, and in a stable indoor climate, a print should hold its colour and tonal range for several human generations.

Display conditions matter more than the materials. The two things that age a print fast are UV exposure and humidity swings. A print in indirect light behind UV glazing in a climate-controlled room outlasts one in a sunny hallway. The care notes below are written for the second scenario, so a print in the first scenario has even less to worry about.

Framed and unframed prints - Ilford Galerie Smooth Cotton Rag 310 gsm

Fine art cotton rag paper. No optical brighteners, acid-free, archival.

• Do not touch the print surface. Skin oils leave marks that are difficult to remove.
• Keep out of direct sunlight. UV exposure causes colour shift over time, even behind glass. UV-filtering glazing is worth it for long-term display.
• Store flat in a dry environment if not framed. A dry climate or archival sleeve works well.
• Do not attempt to clean the paper surface. If dust accumulates, a dry soft brush is the safest option.
• Humidity fluctuations cause paper to expand and contract. Framing with a mat board that allows the paper to breathe is recommended over dry mounting.

Acrylic-mounted prints - Ilford Galerie Metallic Gloss 260 gsm on acrylic

The photograph is face-mounted to acrylic. The result is a depth and tonal range that the paper substrate alone cannot achieve.

• Clean the acrylic face with a soft lint-free cloth and standard glass cleaner. Spray the cloth, not the acrylic directly.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or anything with ammonia on the face.
• The back of the print is a rigid substrate with a hanging system. Keep it dry.
• Acrylic-mounted prints are heavy. Use the provided fixings and make sure the wall fitting is rated to the weight. XL acrylic-mounted prints weigh around 21 kilograms.

Re-framing after a decade or two

If a frame starts looking tired, the mat board yellows, or the glazing picks up a hairline scratch, the print itself is almost certainly fine. Reply to your order email or write to hello@lostcollective.com and I can talk you through what a re-frame typically involves, what to look for in a local framer, and what to ask them. Limited edition prints should not leave their frame without the Certificate of Authenticity matched to them. If yours is missing or damaged before the re-frame, ask for a replacement before the frame comes off.

Questions about a specific print or framing advice, use the Contact page.