A great guide on how to stop pictures yellowing inside a picture frame

For many of us, hanging and displaying meaningful pictures, art and memories is a way to make our house a home and obviously, you want to keep these precious keepsakes protected and in optimal condition. The reality is that sometimes, they can turn yellow over time if the correct steps haven't been taken to preserve them. To prevent this from happening to your beloved items, we've compiled this post to share how you can stop your pictures and documents from yellowing in frames.

Why do pictures in frames turn yellow?

There are a couple of reasons why pictures turn yellow over time, here are some of them:

Aging

Aging can cause pictures to turn yellow and deteriorate. Being exposed to contaminants, the sun, and acidic backings can accelerate the process further.

UV rays

Exposure to UV rays will most certainly damage your pictures and potentially cause them to either fade or turn yellow as a result.

Timber frames

Some types of timbers can discolour pictures as they age, so if you want to avoid this from occurring, it's better to opt for metal frames instead as they are pH neutral. Just ensure that the backing in the metal frame is pH neutral also.

Humidity

Humidity for your pictures is bad news for several reasons. When your pictures are exposed to high levels of humidity, it can cause them to curl, discolour and shrink. Not only that but the extra moisture can be absorbed by the timber or backing and then subsequently leak onto the pictures, discolouring them as a result. Heat and humidity can cause colours in the picture to bleed, and mould growth can occur. Often when yellowing has occurred, there is nothing you can do to reverse it that's why it's so important to prevent it from happening in the first instance. Living here in Queensland means that humidity is something that we are familiar with, and extra precautions should be taken to prevent it from damaging your treasured pictures.

Materials such as acids

Often pictures, documents and artwork can become stained yellow from lignin that is found in paper-based materials. This creates acid as it ages which causes them to change colour and break down.

How to stop pictures and similar from turning yellow

Understandably, no one wants their pictures or art to turn yellow, so how do you stop it? There are three simple ways that you can minimise and even reduce the likelihood of your pictures turning yellow, and they are:

Use acid-free backings

Many years ago, finding acid-free backings in frames was unheard of however, today, this simply isn't the case. This is one of the simplest ways you can protect your pictures from yellowing. Ensure the backing is acid-free and any other elements that will be used in the framing. Look for lignin and acid-free frames and ones that are pH neutral.

Place your pictures in a frame that has UV resistant glass

You can purchase picture frames that contain UV resistant glass and these are highly recommended. Even if the room where the picture will go doesn't experience beaming bright light, filtered light can still affect the colours and integrity of pictures over time. UV rays can pass through many types of glass and onto whatever is behind it. Additionally, another way you can go about protecting your picture frames and the rest of your house from UV rays is by converting your old and outdated windows with UV resistant glass. Avoid hanging your picture frames directly in sunlight, even if you are using UV resistant glass.

Get your pictures professionally framed

Getting your pictures professionally framed has many advantages. One of them is that it will give your pictures a high-end finish.

Another is that your pictures are less likely to deteriorate or yellow over time.

If you do get your pictures professionally framed, just ensure you check that the framer uses acid-free materials and lignin-free framing.

Reputable framers do not use these, and they pride themselves on using top-quality products, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

What happens if my pictures have already turned yellow, is there anything I can do?

Unfortunately, once your pictures have started to turn yellow, there is nothing you can do to reverse it. You can, however, scan your pictures and save them as digital files so if your original picture does perish, you have back-ups that you can reprint. To slow down the process of yellowing, place your picture in a UV resistant and acid-free frame.

Get your pictures professionally framed with the team here at Mobile Frames 2U

Here at Mobile Frames 2U, we only use the most superior products and processes to frame your much-loved pictures. We differ from other framers as our service is mobile, meaning that you don't have to find the time to come and see us, we come to you! Our team come to you at a time that suits to pick up your pictures, and when we are finished framing them, we will drop them back off to you. If you have any questions ask your local Brisbane Picture Framing expert!

We service Brisbane and the surrounding areas, and we can frame virtually anything! Our superior framing services can stop your pictures from yellowing, maintaining them in their original condition for many, many years to come. Contact us today! We would love to discuss your framing options with you!