Custom Framing Tips & Tricks: How to Protect Your Artwork All Year Long

By Posterity Art & Framing Gallery – Preservation Framing Specialists in Metro Detroit

At Posterity Art & Framing Gallery, we know that every piece you bring to us—whether it’s fine art, family photos, textiles, or treasured keepsakes—carries a personal story. Custom framing is more than choosing a frame and mat; it’s about preserving your memories so they last a lifetime. To help you care for your artwork at home, we’ve put together our best custom framing tips and tricks, including special guidance for the cold winter months here in Michigan.

1. Keep Artwork Out of Direct Sunlight

Sunlight—even indirect light through windows with UV coatings—can cause fading, discoloration, and brittleness over time.

Tip: When hanging art, choose a spot that avoids direct sun exposure and consider upgrading to UV-protective glazing, which blocks harmful rays and helps preserve your piece long-term.

2. Let the Artwork Determine the Frame

When choosing framing, always let the piece itself guide your style and palette. Match the frame to the artwork’s character, not the room décor.

Why it matters: A design built around the art’s colors, textures, and personality creates a timeless look that remains beautiful no matter how your décor changes.

3. Winter Tip: Protect Art From Cold, Dry Air

Michigan winters can be harsh—not just for us, but for our artwork as well. Cold temperatures and low humidity can cause:

• Paper to become brittle or warp

• Canvases to tighten or crack

• Textiles to lose elasticity

• Frames to loosen over time

  
  

How to prevent damage:

• Keep artwork away from drafty windows and exterior doors.

• Use a humidifier to maintain a stable indoor humidity level (ideally around 40–50%).

• Avoid storing unframed art in basements, garages, sheds, or attics during winter—these environments cause condensation and rapid temperature swings.

When in doubt, bring your artwork to us for an inspection—we’re always happy to help assess any cold-related damage or concerns.

4. Avoid Hanging Artwork Too Close to Heaters or Fireplaces

Just as cold temperatures can cause damage, excessive heat can be just as harmful. Heat sources can cause:

• Drying and cracking of paints or varnishes

• Warping of paper or wood frames

• Melting of adhesives or mounting materials

• Discoloration from smoke or soot

Tip: Hang artwork at least a few feet away from radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, or space heaters. Balanced, stable temperature is key to longevity.

5. Use Archival, Acid-Free Materials

One of the biggest threats to artwork is acid damage. Non-archival mats and backing can yellow, stain, or degrade your pieces over time.

Solution: Always use acid-free, archival-quality matting, mounting boards, and backing. At Posterity, every preservation framing project includes museum-grade materials designed to protect your art for decades.

6. Don’t “Let Your Art Go Naked”—Frame Keepsakes Properly

Items stored in drawers or closets—photos, letters, tickets, diplomas, awards, jewelry, and textiles—can deteriorate quickly due to humidity and temperature fluctuations.

Friendly reminder: If you’ve been meaning to frame something meaningful, now is the perfect time. A proper preservation frame keeps your memories safe from light, dust, moisture, insects, and accidental wear.

7. Choose the Right Glazing for Your Needs

Glass or acrylic glazing makes a huge difference.

• UV-protective glass guards against fading.

• Museum glass reduces glare and offers the highest clarity.

• Acrylic is lightweight and shatter-resistant—great for large pieces or homes with kids and pets.

If you’re unsure which option to choose, our design specialists will walk you through the best choice for your artwork and budget.

8. Maintain Consistent Temperature & Humidity in Your Home

Fluctuations cause materials—paper, canvas, wood, textiles—to expand and contract, leading to cracking, warping, or mold growth.

Tip: Keep your home environment steady and avoid hanging artwork in areas like:

• Bathrooms with frequent steam

• Unfinished basements

• Over kitchen stoves

• Near frequently opened exterior doors

Your artwork will thank you with years of preserved beauty and longevity.

9. Have Valuable Artwork Professionally Inspected Every Few Years

Just like taking your car in for maintenance, artwork benefits from periodic check-ins. Our team can help identify early signs of wear—loose frames, warping, fading, or minor moisture issues—before they become major restoration projects.

Conclusion: Preserve What Matters Most

Whether it’s a fine art painting, a generational heirloom, or your child’s first masterpiece, custom framing is an investment in protecting your memories. At Posterity Art & Framing Gallery, we’re here to help you keep them safe, beautiful, and display-ready for decades to come.

If you have a piece you’d like framed—or if you want us to assess how your artwork is holding up this winter—visit us anytime. We love helping our community preserve the pieces that matter most.

Want more custom framing tips?

Want some custom framing ideas for your artwork or keepsakes? Stop in the gallery and one of our custom framing specialists can assist in all aspects of frame design and preservation methods. We're happy to provide free consultations and valuable preservation advice.

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About US

35 years of professional art & custom framing services located in the heart of downtown Grosse Pointe Village. We specialize in preservation framing for fine art, photographs, shadowbox designs, sports memorabilia, textiles, needlepoints, tiles, and more.  We only use museum grade materials and practice modern preservation framing techniques to ensure the highest quality craftsmanship available while keeping prices affordable.

Posterity Gallery showcases a rotating selection of original art, locally made gifts, and a curated selection of art decor. Sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming exhibitions and gallery events.

What we frame:

Awards, Certificates & Diplomas • Needlepoint & Fabrics • Sports Memorabilia • Jerseys & Team Shirts • Silk Scarves • Records & Albums • Flags & Medals • Photograph Collages • Pet Memorials • Wedding Invitations • Canvases • Family Photos • Original paintings • Art Prints • Photography • Posters • Mirrors & More!

For more artist tips and advice on preservation and conservation framing, stop in to the gallery and talk to us! We're here to help.

Posterity Art & Framing Gallery

17005 Kercheval Ave

Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

313.884.8105

Hours of operation

Monday: By appointment

Tuesday-Friday: 10am - 6pm

Saturday: 10am - 4pm

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS:

Monday: 10-4

Tuesday: 10-6

Wednesday: 10-6

Thursday: 10-8

Friday: 10-6

Saturday: 10-4