Q&A Artwork

What is an ‘original’ limited edition print?

Our fine art prints are original digital works of art. So they are unique. They are not copies or reproductions of paintings or other art work. 

A limited edition has a closed number of prints in the print run, each one numbered, dated and signed by the artist. Excluded from the edition number are the Printer’s, Trial and Artist’s proofs.

Are these giclée prints?

Yes, this term refers to an image printed using a fine art inkjet printer. It is usually a limited edition print on archival quality paper with UV stable pigment inks.

How long do the prints last?

We use aqueous pigmented inks that have a colour archival rating of more than 100 years and Premium artists’ canvas or 100% cotton Fine Art paper offering high stability and a resistance to aging by using natural minerals.

Do your prints contain OBAs?

No. The pure white tone of our museum-grade paper and archival canvas is achieved without the use of Optical Brightening Agents, also called OBAs. Optical Brightening Agents are artificial brighteners that deteriorate in time and do not meet gallery and museum longevity requirements

How should I frame works on paper?

Our original prints on paper are produced in house using pigmented inks and heavy weight 310gsm museum-grade paper. The 100% cotton fine art paper is certified Acid Free, internally buffered to resist gas fading and does not contain any Optical Brightening Agents.

Framing under glass, the styles can be traditional Matted, Matless using the print border or Floated in a box frame. We recommend having your artwork professionally framed using archival quality materials. Sub-standard materials can cause artwork to deteriorate over time.

To reduce the chances of artwork discolouring or fading from exposure to light always frame with glass that offers UV protection.

Where safety is critical consider acrylic glazing such as Perspex or Plexiglass.

Use a neutral (white) Matboard that doesn’t compete with the image, or Float mount on a white background.

Hang with plastic coated stranded stainless steel wire fixed to the frame with d-rings.

How should works on canvas be stretched?

Our original prints on canvas are produced in house using pigmented inks and premium 450gsm artists’ canvas. Certified Acid Free and without Optical Brightening Agents this archival grade canvas can be stretched and mounted with ease.

Canvas prints, because they typically are not put under glass, are protected with a UV resistant coating that also provides some protection from moisture and surface damage.

We recommend having your artwork professionally stretched on keyed frames made from plantation-grown native Australian timber. Keys, the hard wood wedges in the back corners of the frame, can be tapped to retighten the canvas if required.

Stretcher bars should be bevelled to prevent print through and frames for larger works should also include cross bracing for added support.

Note that over-stretching a canvas can cause the print to crack at the edges.

Hang with plastic coated stranded stainless steel wire fixed to the frame with d-rings.

Where should I hang the work?

Do not hang your artwork where it will be exposed to direct sunlight or bright artificial light. Strong light can cause colours to fade and papers to discolour. 

Avoid areas such as kitchens as high humidity can cause mould to form and paper to ripple.

Never hang on freshly painted surfaces – allow paint time to off-gas.

Do not hang above or adjacent to a heat source, especially fireplaces, as heat can cause wood to warp and dry out and soot can damage the paper.

Remember most artwork is intended to be viewed at eye-level.

To prevent artwork from moving use two hooks on the wall, each set about a quarter of the way in from either side of the frame.

How should I transport artwork?

When moving a stretched or framed artwork, grasp it by the sides and carry it upright. Never carry framed work by the top of the frame as this will pull the frame away from the glass.

Transport framed work vertically and the right way up, as in most cases works on paper are "hinged" from the top and placing the work on its side may cause the hinges to fail.

Protect the print side of works on canvas with polyethylene bubble wrap, but ensure the bubble side is kept away from the canvas surface.

How should I store artwork?

Handle unframed works with care. Use clean white gloves. When moving a work on paper, hold opposite sides of the sheet so the paper bows and does not buckle.

Unframed works on paper should be stored between archival tissue paper, preferably flat, and placed in a clean, dry place away from sunlight, extreme temperatures or dampness. Use the inner polyethylene shipping tube for short term storage of rolled prints.

All framed or stretched artwork should be stored hung on a wall or at least stacked vertically and the right way up. Framed work should be stacked 'glass to glass' so that the hangers do not damage the frames.

Note that framed works on paper are in most cases "hinged" from the top and placing the work on its side may cause the hinges to fail.

How should I clean framed artwork?

Glass and frames should be wiped clean with a micro-fibre cloth.

To remove dust from original prints on canvas, use a very soft electrostatic duster and run it gently across the surface. Fluids should never be used to clean a canvas print. If you have a heavily soiled print, it should be taken to a professional for cleaning.

If you need more information please contact us at info@bibiviro.com