2. Does my artwork need UV protective glass?

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Whether a piece needs UV Glass or not depends to some extent on the way it is produced. Ultra Violet light can not only fade an image, it can harm the paper over time as well. If the piece is of particular personal, historical or financial value, it is recommended that UV Glass be used. Below are some rule-of-thumb judgment calls on some different types of work.

Whether you require UV protective glass is all related to what you are framing. UV (Ultra Violet) rays do damage to all life and substances over time. Sensitive substrates such as paper, ink, certain paint and fabrics, can start showing signs of damage much faster. Refer to the guideline below for more detail regarding general artwork:

• • General Consumer Prints. Consumer prints include anything from movie posters to newspapers, magazines, flyers and other short run items. Most of these products are printed on digital or lithographic paper stocks which do have quite a lengthy life span but are more susceptible to UV damage. Papers will start yellowing in a short amount of time if exposed to UV rays and inks/toners will start showing signs of cracking.

• • Giclee Prints. Giclee is a term used to describe fine-art, archival inkjet printing. This process is paired with high quality archival papers that have a longer lifespan than general consumer papers. The process is archival but UV protective glass can be employed to further conserve and protect the work from damage over a longer period of time. Archival papers, in general, slow down the discolouration of prints.

• • Screen-prints. Screen-printing can be compared to the archival quality of the Giclee process. However, the process is slightly more robust where the ink and print is concerned. The one exception is that the paper, depending on the type, is still vulnerable to UV damage. Check that the screen-print was printed on a good quality archival paper.
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  • Paintings. In general, oil and acrylic paintings can be framed without glass. This is because most artists will make use of a sealant/varnish over the paint which acts as a protective barrier. These can normally be cleaned or restored without considerable damage to the artwork. However, watercolour and other forms of paint are not generally sealed. In this case, it is highly recommended to use UV protective glass to avoid UV damage to the piece. If possible, speak to the artist about the archival nature of the work. When in doubt, use UV protective glass to protect your investment.