Storing artwork effectively can be a challenge. Not only are works of art expensive, but they are also delicate and can be easily damaged by the wrong conditions.
Whether you are in charge of artwork storage at a museum, art gallery or your own private collection, there are several factors you will need to consider if you want to keep your art in good condition.
Our Top tips for Artwork Storage
- Maintain an even climate and ideally a humidity of around 40-50%. Fluctuating temperatures can cause cracks and warping
- Protect your artwork from dust, whilst still allowing air to circulate. Avoid wrapping your paintings in plastic or bubble wrap as this stops the air from circulating and traps condensation inside which could do considerable damage
- Store your artwork carefully, using an appropriate artwork shelving system. Ideally, works of art should be stored vertically, but you should ensure that shelving keeps them separated so that delicate pieces are not crushed or damaged by the weight of other items being stored on top of them
- Keep artworks off the ground at all times, just in case of water damage
- Avoid storing art next to a direct source of heat as this can soften the paint and cause it to come off
- Avoid storing in direct sunlight as this can cause artwork to fade
- If you do decide to roll up artwork, remember that the paint should be rolled to the outside, as although you may think you are keeping it safer with the paint on the inside, this can in fact increase the possibility of cracking and warping
Rackline’s Artwork Storage Solutions.
Lateral Picture Racking
Rackline’s Lateral Mobile Picture Racking (LMPR) is installed in numerous museums and archives around the world. The system incorporates double-sided mesh frames fitted to our mobile carriages.
LMPR artwork storage works identically to, and utilises our mobile shelving bases, enabling you to maximise your floor space. Unlike our pull-out racking solution, only standard front gangways are required for access, and no frame or column structures are required.
The choice of mobile base required depends upon the weight loadings and size of the storage system.
Pull-out Picture Racking
Rackline’s Pull-out Picture Racking comes in two varieties: top supported and bottom supported. Both types are designed and manufactured to fit any storage space and can be used to store hanging items. We have seen everything from rare paintings to mounted animal heads hung from our systems.
The Pull-out Picture Racking is constructed from fully welded steel sections and can be free standing or ceiling supported.
The mesh frame is constructed from heavy gauge wire welded to both faces of a steel frame to give maximum square metre storage space to both sides.
As part of the Pull-out Picture Racking range, we also manufacture wire-mesh wall panels to provide additional storage capacity to wall faces or to turn ‘dead spaces’ into live space i.e. at the rear of conventional mobile racking systems.
Toast Rack
The Rackline Toast Rack vertical artwork storage solution is designed to safely store artworks in a high density, flexible manner.
Toast Rack units are highly configurable, featuring storage compartment heights (adjust the heights in 25mm increments) and widths to suit your individual needs and your desired capacity. The internal pole dividers are far stronger than standard ‘rod dividers’ and are compatible with our shelving systems.
Toast Rack units can even be fixed to our mobile bases to maximise the capacity of your archive.
If you are looking for ways to improve your artwork storage, or you are looking to create a new storage area then we can help you.
To find out more take a look at our dedicated page here. Alternatively get in touch.