From my understanding UV light is bad for prints so I've heard LED bulbs would be the way to go for lamps and things that would be right next to prints. Is that generally true or are their certain brands/bulbs/specs you need to look for in regards to light bulbs and trying to minimize potential damage?
For me personally everything that I do have framed is framed with museum glass but still would like to educate myself on the best bulbs to keep everything as safe as you realistically can.
What light bulbs do you use to protect prints?
- ryefish75
- EB Team Emeritus
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The light cast by LED lamps contains very few infrared rays and no ultraviolet rays, so most are safe by default.
You can read about some here: http://www.usailighting.com/stuff/conte ... nedcc2.pdf
And find some good products here:
http://www.usailighting.com/research-art-light-led
You can read about some here: http://www.usailighting.com/stuff/conte ... nedcc2.pdf
And find some good products here:
http://www.usailighting.com/research-art-light-led
Changed every bulb in the house to LED about 6 years ago, back when they used to cost a small fortune. I think I spent about $600 or $800 back then. I didn’t do it to “save the prints” though. I haven’t replaced a single one since, they all still work. I now have LED bulbs in the garage, shed, outside. The only non-LED bulbs I have are the pot lights in the basement just because I cannot find anything that would fit. Have been thinking to replace the pot lights completely but can never actually get to it.
I switched our house over a year ago as well. I went with 4000k bulbs. Great at splitting the difference between the more incandescent looking but too warm for viewing art 3000k bulbs; and the too blue sterile 5000k bulbs. I love the 4000k led bulbs now. Took a couple weeks to acclimate, but now I wouldn’t change a thing. The art looks great. And I feel better not having any of the incandescent or fluorescent bulbs up anymore.