New collector advice

[DaleCooper]

Hey chaps.
Decided to join this forum as I've kind of got hooked oncollecting prints. Didn't intend on that happening but I guess that's often the way

Juat hoping to gt some advice really. Mainly on taking care of the prints I have. I have a few framed already but as I'm a little short of money at present, I can't afford to get them all done.

Firstly, I know you shouldn't hang above radiators. I assume anywhere damp like bathrooms are also a no go. Is there any other no-no's to avoid? Will sunlight inevitably cause a problem? (my apartment is covered in huge south facing windows - eek).

My next question would be to do with storing my prints. I currently have them in tubes. Are there any long term problems that might be caused by keeping them in these? I wouldn't know how else to store them really and it seems ao convenient. Obviously I'd change this though if the prints were getting damaged at all.

Anyhow, thanks a lit for reading and thanks in advance fir any replies I might get
Dale

[dangerboy]

1. welcome, you're doomed
2. you're on track about where to hang them. UV glass supposedly protects, but i don't hang anything in direct sunlight.
3. toobs are ok for short-term. flat is better.

[jamesgunter]

Hello and welcome!

there are many options to choose from when it comes to storage. Most here have either flat files or different types of portfolios. the main thing is yes, you want your prints to be flat, not rolled, dry, and you want them to be in an acid free environment, out of the light (sunlight and indoor light are both bad for prints and will turn white areas yellow over time).

There are many threads about conservation floating around this board and it wont take long for people to post some helpful links to get you started. you'll be a pro in no time.

[RupertPupkin]

The EB Wiki has some good ideas for storing prints flat: http://www.expressobeans.com/wiki/index ... Your_Print
Ideally, if you're in this for the long haul, get a flatfile.

you're on track about where to hang them. UV glass supposedly protects, but i don't hang anything in direct sunlight.

All I would add is that there are plenty of very cool, cheap prints out there to hang in those riskier places if you're worried about your more vauable prints.

you're doomed

[guryter]

Welcome

The best way to start flattening prints (for me) was to get two large pieces of acid-free foamcore(40"x32"), and some glassine paper. Should cost you less than $30, if I remember correctly. Lay the foamcore pieces on top of one another and tape one of the longer sides with a few pieces to act as a hinge. You can buy glassine at 36" x however long the roll is, and cut the paper to layer in between prints. Untube, flatten, glassine, repeat. Get some binder clips to hold the edges together when everything is inside. You can store this under your bed. You can also let your prints relax naturally before flattening, but that requires more space and no pets

After that, get a flat file. Peep craigslist for a good amount of time and you should be able to score one for under $100 and cheaper. Look for a width of 38-40" at minimum if you pick up 24x36's. Go for 5 drawers, you'll need them

After you've untubed and everything is nice and flat, save your good tubes. You'll be reusing them for selling stuff.

Enjoy.

[maxine]

1. Walk away now. If you can't...
2. Get a flat file. It's the best investment.
3. Don't buy off Rata.

Welcome & good luck!!!

[Catarax]

4. Buy from Catarax

[DaleCooper]

Thanks a lot for your help chaps. All good advice. Seems that storage will add further to the expense! Haha.

I'm fairly lucky in that I just moved into a new flat with a lot of wall space and no pictures to hang - so i've been getting everything done at my local framers so far. I have however recently bought. Few prints that I probably won't have space for though. Maybe 2 or 3... So I'll have to work our a way of keeping them safe.

After this week though, I have to stop spending for a while though or the bailiff's will come round and take all of my pictures off the walls!

Seems harder to find good storage solutions in the UK. If anyone has any supplier, feel free to post here

thanks again

[burndisneyland]

Seems harder to find good storage solutions in the UK. If anyone has any supplier, feel free to post here

thanks again

I'm also new to collecting. I went for a Mapac Gold A1 portfolio with Goldline Acid Free sleeves. You can buy the portfolio from Hobbycraft stores (got mine cheaper from eBay) and the sleeves from Pullingers.com.

Seems to be doing the job, nice to get stuff out of tubes they've been in for FAR too long.

[tourist504]

A piece of advice: don't buy a print unless you absolutely HAVE to have it. I've gotten stuck with so many prints I never plan on framing or displaying anywhere just because i liked them.

Unless you plan on flipping, in which case have at it.

[mistersmith]

A piece of advice: don't buy a print unless you absolutely HAVE to have it. I've gotten stuck with so many prints I never plan on framing or displaying anywhere just because i liked them.

Unless you plan on flipping, in which case have at it.

Or unless you have money.

But I agree, the impulse to grab everything is very strong...but a few years down the road you're gonna look at a few hundred pieces of paper and say, damn, now what do I do.

My biggest piece of advice is to go to art openings in your area, go to poster shows if there are any, and buy from the artists whenever possible. Hopefully, you'll do it for the art and not for the collection!

[Danno1]

Great advice from everyone. I will add this thought that someone gave me when I first got hooked, I wish I would have listened better. Only buy what you really, really want. Buy quality, not quantity. Would you rather have 30 $25-50 prints, or that 1 $500 print that you really love?

[dmarvick]

I wish someone would have told me all of this stuff 10 years ago when I first started collecting. I have been collecting silkscreen prints and posters for a long time, but only recently realized that I had no idea what I was doing. I am basically a new collector in the sense that I have to start over and re-frame tons of things and learn proper storage methods. If you are new, and reading this, listen to the people above me. Your life might just depend on it. (Or at least your sanity and your marriage might.)

[Tadrules]

....buy what you love, make as may friends as possible along the way.

[Tservo]

Does anyone know what the best place to look for used flat files is. craigslist in st. louis is failing me. I'm thinking of trying old libraries.