Much like of our memories, photos tend to fade with time – as is the way of life. Even if you opt for canvas prints, a material that can last for centuries with the proper maintenance, your photos are still susceptible to the wear and tear that comes with time. The lifespan of your particular canvas print depends on a few factors that don’t always apply to everyone.
Because of this, it’s hard to know exactly how long your canvas print will last. There are a few things that impact your print’s lifespan, including natural elements as well as any maintenance measures you may take. In this blog, we’re going to take a brief look at a few of the factors that contribute to canvas print fading, as well as some of the measures you can take to maintain your canvas print.
Why do canvas prints fade?
There are a few things that contribute to the degradation of your canvas prints, including but not limited to:
Ultraviolet radiation
UV radiation is one of the most common culprits to canvas print fading. Whenever sunlight strikes printed matter, a significant change happens at a molecular level. Solar UV radiation causes a reaction within the colouring agents of any substance, breaking chemical bonds and resulting in degradation, that is, fading.
Air impurities
Particles of smoke, cleaning chemicals and dust can also damage the chemical make-up of your canvas print, speeding up the degradation process.
Wear and tear
Another common culprit, everyday wear and tear can cause your canvas prints to fade at a quicker rate. Frequent handling and other forms of contact can reduce the colour intensity through the abrasion (wearing away) of the dye material itself.
How to extend your canvas print’s lifespan
Among many other measures, here are three things you can do to extend your canvas print’s lifespan:
1) Keep your canvas print away from sunlight
This is one of the most effective and simplest measures to take to preserve your canvas print – just keep it out of the sunlight. Regardless of the materials and ink that’s used in your canvas print, UV radiation will always be a threat to your photo. To keep your print alive for as long as possible, be sure to point them away from direct sunlight in an area of your home or establishment that isn’t basking in the sun’s rays.
2) Avoid smoky and dusty environments
If the room you’re thinking of hanging your canvas print in is occasionally or frequently filled with dust or smoke, it would be best for you to find another room to decorate with your photos. Dust, smoke and other airborne impurities can damage the chemical makeup of any canvas print – it’s better to prevent a problem than to mitigate it, right?
3) Limit exposure to humid air
Canvas material, as versatile as it is, will never survive long-term in damp or humid spaces. If you’re adamant about displaying your new print in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s your call. But you should know that the steamier the atmosphere gets, the less likely your canvas will live out its full lifespan.
No photo should ever go unframed, regardless of the materials it’s printed on. We’ve got your back in that department – Framez is your one-stop shop for all things photo framing and printing. Get in touch with us today to get started!