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Okay Uindrammet / How to Care for Art Prints and Canvas: Cleaning and Preventing Sun Fading
november 12, 2026
How to Care for Art Prints and Canvas: Cleaning and Preventing Sun Fading
Keep your art prints and canvas vibrant, clean, and fade-free
Practical care advice for fine art prints and gallery-wrapped canvas, so your wall art stays as striking as the day it arrived.
To care for art prints and canvas, dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth, keep them out of direct sunlight, and control humidity in the room. Andy okay's fine art prints are produced on 200gsm matte fine art paper, and canvas prints are printed on premium gallery-wrapped canvas. Both materials benefit from the same core habits: gentle cleaning, UV-aware placement, and stable conditions.
Explore prints and canvases worth protecting
Browse Andy okay prints and canvases, with every purchase supporting a charity through the Shared Impact Fund.
Dust is the most common enemy of wall art, and the good news is that it's easy to manage without risking the surface. For light to moderate dust, a dry microfibre cloth is all you need. Microfibre won't leave residue or scratch the surface, and a thorough pass will get your print close to dust-free without introducing any moisture.
Andy okay's fine art prints are produced on 200gsm matte fine art paper, a surface that is particularly sensitive to moisture. Because the inks used are prone to moisture damage, it is best to use as little water as possible if you ever need to go beyond dry dusting. If a stubborn mark needs attention, dampen a cloth with distilled water (to avoid mineral deposits), wring it out until it is barely moist, and dab gently. Never spray water directly onto the print.
For gallery-wrapped canvas, the same caution applies. Excess moisture can warp the canvas or cause the surface to peel, so a damp cloth should only be used when dry cleaning is not enough. If your canvas does not have a protective coating, stick to dry methods entirely. Avoid bleach, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners in every case. Light dusting every two to four weeks is usually all that is needed.
UV light fades pigments permanently, so placement matters
UV radiation is responsible for around 40% of the fading in artwork and furniture, and the damage it causes is irreversible. Once pigments break down, no cleaning or restoration will bring them back. The single most effective thing you can do for your art is choose where it hangs.
Never hang valuable art in direct sunlight, particularly during midday when UV rays are at their strongest. North-facing walls or interior walls away from windows are ideal. If the room gets a lot of natural light, UV-protective glazing makes a significant difference: conservation-grade glass or acrylic can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, compared with regular glass, which typically filters less than 45% of the UV spectrum.
If rearranging the room or reframing is not practical, UV-blocking window film is a strong alternative. Some film types provide up to 99.9% UV protection and can be applied directly to the glass. UV-blocking lined curtains offer a simpler, lower-cost option. Rotating your collection periodically also helps, giving each piece time away from the most exposed spots. For prints displayed in bedroom spaces with bold art, this rotation habit is especially worth building in.
Humidity and smoke quietly damage art over time
Light gets most of the attention, but humidity is an equally serious threat to both fine art paper and canvas. High humidity creates the conditions for mold and mildew to develop on the surface of a print. Low humidity, on the other hand, can cause paper to become brittle and canvas to contract unevenly. A stable indoor environment, neither very damp nor very dry, is the goal.
Avoid hanging art in bathrooms, kitchens, or near exterior walls where condensation can form. Smoke residue is another risk that is easy to overlook. Cigarette smoke and even residue from open fireplaces can settle on a canvas or paper print over time, causing gradual discoloration that is difficult to remove.
Andy okay prints and canvases are printed and shipped from a local facility in the US, and the care taken in production, including careful quality checks at the Swedish facility, is designed to minimise problems from the start. Keeping the environment stable at home extends that quality through the life of the piece. If you are choosing art as a gift, pointing the recipient toward these simple habits is a thoughtful extra, whether it is a piece from the gifts for grandma category or something more personal.
Storing prints safely when they are not on display
Storage is where prints are most often damaged. The key principles are: keep the print flat or rolled (never folded), protect it from light and moisture, and make sure nothing is pressing against the surface.
For fine art paper prints, acid-free tissue or glassine paper placed between prints prevents the surfaces from sticking or transferring ink to each other. Store flat prints in a rigid portfolio case or a flat drawer, away from direct light. Rolled prints should be stored in a tube with a diameter large enough that the roll is not tight. Avoid plastic sleeves that trap moisture.
Canvas prints are best stored upright, leaning against a wall, with a soft cloth or padding between the canvas and anything it rests against. Keep stored art away from exterior walls and off the floor to reduce exposure to temperature fluctuations and damp. If you are buying a piece as a gift, such as wall art for a housewarming, it is worth sharing these storage tips so the recipient can keep it safe until they are ready to hang it. Andy okay includes a certificate of authenticity with artworks, so store that flat alongside the print to keep it in good condition.
Fine art paper prints vs. gallery-wrapped canvas: care at a glance
Fine art paper print
Gallery-wrapped canvas
Material
200gsm matte fine art paper
Premium gallery-wrapped canvas
Spot cleaning
Barely damp cloth with distilled water only; avoid if no protective coating
Lightly damp cloth acceptable for surface grime; never saturate the fabric
A simple care routine for prints and canvas
Inspect the surface in good light
Before cleaning, hold the print or canvas at an angle to a light source to see exactly what you are dealing with. Surface dust looks different from a greasy mark or a scuff, and each needs a different approach. This quick check also helps you spot any issues early, before they become harder to address. If you notice damage that arrived with the piece, document it with a photo right away.
Dust with a dry microfibre cloth
Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth and work gently from the top of the piece downward. Microfibre is the right tool because it lifts dust without leaving fibres or residue on the surface. For Andy okay's 200gsm matte fine art paper prints, this dry method should handle almost all routine cleaning. Do not use feather dusters, which can scratch, or paper towels, which are abrasive.
Spot-clean stubborn marks carefully
If a mark remains after dry dusting, dampen a microfibre cloth with distilled water and wring it out until it is barely moist to the touch. Dab the affected area gently; do not rub. For gallery-wrapped canvas printed on premium gallery-wrapped canvas, this light damp method is acceptable for surface grime, but avoid saturating the fabric. Never spray liquid directly onto the surface, and skip this step entirely if the print has no protective coating.
Reposition art away from direct sunlight
After cleaning, take a moment to assess where the piece hangs. If it receives direct sun at any point in the day, consider moving it to a shadier wall or adding UV-blocking window film or curtains to the nearby window. UV and visible light fade pigments permanently, so repositioning is one of the highest-impact steps you can take for long-term preservation. Rotating pieces in your collection periodically also spreads any light exposure more evenly.
Protect for the long term with framing and storage
Framing with UV-protective glass or conservation-grade acrylic is the most durable long-term protection for fine art paper prints. Conservation-grade glazing can block around 97 to 99% of UV rays, a dramatic improvement over standard glass. For prints not currently on display, store them flat in acid-free sleeves or a rigid portfolio, away from moisture and direct light. Canvas prints stored upright should have soft padding between the surface and anything it leans against.
Cleaning and sun fading questions answered
Can I use glass cleaner or household spray to clean my art print?
No. Bleach, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners can permanently damage both fine art paper and canvas surfaces. Andy okay's prints are produced on 200gsm matte fine art paper, which is particularly sensitive to harsh chemicals and excess moisture. Stick to a dry microfibre cloth for routine cleaning, and use distilled water only for stubborn marks, applied with a barely damp cloth.
How much sunlight is too much for a canvas or art print?
Any direct sunlight is too much for long-term display. UV radiation accounts for around 40% of fading in artwork, and the damage is permanent and irreversible. Even indirect bright light carries risk over time. Hang art on walls that do not receive direct sun, and consider UV-protective glazing or window film if the room is naturally bright.
What should I do if my print arrives damaged?
Take a photo of the damage and contact Andy okay with a clear explanation. Claims must be made within 30 days of receiving your order, and the team will work to fix the problem. Andy okay also offers 100% customer satisfaction, so a damaged or incorrect item is something they are set up to resolve.
Does framing really help protect a fine art print from fading?
Yes, significantly. Regular glass typically filters less than 45% of the UV spectrum, while conservation-grade glazing blocks around 97 to 99% of harmful UV rays. For fine art paper prints especially, framing with UV-protective glass or acrylic is one of the most effective long-term investments you can make. It also protects the surface from dust and accidental contact.
Is high humidity a real risk for canvas and paper prints?
Yes. High humidity creates conditions for mold and mildew to develop on both canvas and fine art paper. Avoid hanging art in bathrooms, near exterior walls, or anywhere condensation forms regularly. A stable indoor environment is the goal: not too damp, not too dry. If you are storing prints rather than displaying them, keep them in a dry, temperature-stable space away from the floor and exterior walls.
Your art deserves to stay vibrant for years to come
Andy okay prints and canvases are made to last, starting with quality materials and careful production. Give them the simple care routine they deserve, and they will hold their colour and detail for years. Browse the full collection and find a piece worth protecting.
