Canvas storage should meet several vital parameters to be considered safe and conservation-friendly. When art owners face the need to decide on the best way to store canvas paintings, the challenge of prioritization may surface if all parameters can’t be met. Here is the hierarchy of canvas art’s needs you should know.

Environmental Conditions: Critical Factor

A stable environment is at the heart of safe canvas storage. Canvases are highly sensitive to environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity; exposure to light is also a source of risk. Thus, the preservation of environmental standards is key. Professionals recommend focusing on the stable temperature range of 64-72°F (18-22°C), relative humidity of 40-55%, and low lighting with UV-protective filters. Air quality also makes a difference, with clean, dust-free environments serving conservation needs the best.

Optimal Physical Storage Methods

Upright storage is the best way to store canvas paintings. This method minimizes pressure and prevents canvas sagging, thus ensuring that your art stays in storage for any term without suffering damage. We recommend using specialized padded art racks or shelves, with acid-free foam board or corrugated cardboard interleaving between items. It’s vital to prevent any contact of the painted surface with other objects. Spacers meant for two-dimensional artwork separation in storage can also help you avoid face contact between several stored art items.

Horizontal storage, though largely undesirable, can suffice for short periods of storage in a limited space. The principle of safe artwork positioning includes placing the canvas on a clean surface, properly packed in acid-free materials, and avoiding any weight placement on top of it.

Wrapping and Protection of Artwork

As with professional shipping, canvases prepared for storage should be wrapped in archival-grade materials. These include acid-free glassine paper and tissue paper, which prevent dust accumulation and protect sensitive surfaces.

The Best Way to Store Canvas Paintings: Rolled vs. Stretched

The choice of storage options also depends on whether your canvases are stretched. Stretched items should be stored vertically, fully supported, with corner and edge protectors added to the packaging when needed. If the canvas is unstretched, it may be rolled paint-side out and stored in a large-diameter tube. You should insert acid-free interleaving when rolling it so that the sensitive surface doesn’t stick to itself or the tube’s interior.