Here is some important information that you should know about your paper artwork.
You’ve got your first paper art piece (or you’ve built a collection already), now what?
Like any piece of art, it is important to treat your paper artwork with care. As you already know, paper is a particularly delicate medium, and requires stable conditions in order to last a long time.
First and foremost is limiting moisture. While some artists might be offended by their work being placed in a bathroom, I am actually honored. The bathroom is probably the place in the house where whatever is on the wall get the most attention. It’s true! But putting paper art in a bathroom comes with great dangers. While a half bath shouldn’t be much of a problem, a full bath with a shower is probably the fastest way to ruin your artwork. You may begin to see crinkles, swelling or even glued pieces coming undone from repeated exposure to large swings in humidity.
Second is the fading of paper. This is actually something I love about paper. It is going to change over time. The way it looks when you take it home is not how it will look years from now. Some pieces change colors in full sunlight within a day or two, while others fade slowly over years. Full sunlight however, is never recommended, as it will speed up the breakdown of glue.
Over time, rubber cement will lose its ability to hold, like any adhesive. For this reason, the environment the piece is placed in is very important to its longevity. Sunlight as well as humidity will not only change the appearance of the artwork, but also compromise its glue. A stable temperature and humidity without direct sun are the best ways to make your paper artwork last for decades. Without careful attention to these factors however, some pieces only last a few years before needing additional attention.
While I try my best to test papers and understand in advance which will fade and how, there are inevitably ways that paper will fade and change over time that I cannot predict. This is part of the medium, and is especially true of my more intricate pieces. I choose colors for the time of creation and actually limit the paper’s exposure to light before it is completed. I make it with the understanding that it will fade and change. Some colors of paper will even present as new colors, not just losing saturation of its original color. While that is rare and I tend to limit my use of such papers, these unpredictable changes are part of the art form. This is not considered a deficiency or flaw in the product.
There are solutions to this struggle however, if you prefer to preserve your artwork as it was when you purchased it. The first step you should take is to keep the artwork in darkness. This might mean putting it into an envelope or wrapping it up (very carefully!). Once it isn’t being exposed to light, you can begin your search for frames with UV resistant coatings. UV resistant coatings will protect your artwork from fading quickly by limiting its exposure to UV rays emanating from the sun, while still allowing you to appreciate its aesthetic. I do not provide UV resistant frames (I love observing the impermanence and change in the work over time), but be aware that it is an option and will allow you to avoid any potential fast fading of papers.
Third, and this can become a non-issue if using a closed frame (with a glass or plexiglass front), it is important to limit physical contact. Some papers soak up the oils on our skin very quickly. While I do most of my work without gloves, I am able to do so because i wash my hands regularly through projects to limit the damage my fingers might do. I would not recommend handling the artwork at all without gloves. Your work will come packaged for this reason. I typically use powder-free non-medical gloves (often latex, but i’ve also used vinyl). If you choose to leave the art exposed (without glass atop), be aware that someone touching the surface of the work could damage it. I’ve thrown out many layers for accidentally not washing my hands and then touching paper for just a brief moment!
Finally, it’s best to keep the artwork in one place. Moving your piece around repeatedly exposes the piece to changes in the forces acting against it (change in the direction gravity is pulling, changes in velocity from moving it or traveling with it) can, over time (or just the right way), loosen pieces of the artwork. This shouldn’t be a problem for items that don’t have small pieces (many, but not all, layered maps, for example), but hand-cut and hand-built intricate artwork with small pieces are particularly vulnerable to being moved around excessively. If you have trouble with this, reach out and i will do my best to help. If you have taken good care of the piece and it is a flaw in the glue or workmanship, I will happily fix it for you. If the damage is more due to an accident or negligence, I will do my best to repair it, but might require additional compensation (this is a case-by-case basis).
I just placed an order. How long will it take?
Thank you! I’m excited to get your artwork together for you! Your paper art can take a wide range of time, depending on a few factors.
If your piece is already made, then i will typically try to get it shipped out within a few business days.
If your work is made-to-order (a machine-cut piece i’ve made before, but don’t have pre-made), then your work will need to be cut and assembled before it can be sent to you. This will typically take a business week or longer to prepare, depending on how many outstanding orders are ahead of yours and the detail of the piece.
If your work is a custom piece (hand-cut or machine-cut piece, made just for you), then the timeline is typically one to two months. Together, we will discuss your vision for the artwork, review a timeline, develop drafts of the work, and review an estimate based on your wants/needs. For some custom works, the payment is just a deposit that will go toward your piece when complete. For other projects, the payment is the entire cost. This is specified in the product’s listing.
Do you have other questions?
Message me on instagram or email me at dcpaperarts@gmail.com