Every piece from Two Tides Collective is built to last — archival mats, UV-protective glazing, and solid wood frames, made to look as good in ten years as it does the day it arrives. A little care goes a long way in keeping it that way.

Where to hang it

• Avoid direct sunlight. Even with UV Acrylic glazing, prolonged direct sun exposure will fade colours and yellow paper over time. A spot with indirect or filtered natural light is ideal.
• Avoid high-humidity rooms. Bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens with a lot of steam can warp timber frames and encourage mould on the mat board over time. Living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways are safer bets.
• Avoid direct heat sources. Keep some distance from radiators, heaters, and fireplaces — consistent heat can dry out and warp solid wood over time.

Cleaning your glazing

Every frame uses UV Acrylic glazing rather than glass — lighter, shatter-resistant, and better at blocking fade-causing UV light. Acrylic needs slightly gentler handling than glass:

• Do dust regularly with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
• Do use a small amount of mild soap and lukewarm water on a soft cloth for a deeper clean, then dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Don't use Windex, ammonia-based cleaners, or any glass-specific cleaning spray — these can cloud or damage acrylic over time.
• Don't use paper towels or anything abrasive — acrylic scratches more easily than glass, and paper towels in particular can leave fine scuff marks.
• Don't spray cleaner directly onto the surface. Apply it to the cloth first, not the frame, to avoid moisture creeping behind the glazing.

Caring for your frame

All our frames are solid wood, whether that's Onyx's black satin finish, Driftwood's natural timber, or Whitewash's white finish:

• Dust regularly with a soft cloth or duster, paying attention to corners and grooves where dust builds up.
• For a deeper clean, lightly dampen a cloth with water — never spray water or cleaner directly onto the frame, as trapped moisture can cause warping over time.
• Avoid furniture polish, chemical sprays, or wood oils. These aren't necessary for our finishes and can interact unpredictably with the paint or veneer, potentially altering the colour or sheen.
• Dry the frame fully with a clean cloth after any damp cleaning, before rehanging.

Protecting your print and mat

Your print is mounted behind an acid-free, lignin-free mat board and backed with a pH-neutral foam board — both chosen specifically to prevent the yellowing and deterioration that cheaper, acidic materials cause over time. To help them do their job:

• Keep the piece away from damp or humid environments, which can cause the mat and backing to absorb moisture over time.
• Avoid touching the print surface directly if you ever remove it from the frame — oils from skin can mark paper permanently.
• If you ever need to store a piece rather than display it, keep it flat or upright (never leaning at an angle for long periods), somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight.

Hanging hardware

Every frame arrives ready to hang, with hardware pre-installed. Over time — especially with larger pieces — it's worth an occasional check:

• Confirm the hanging wire or D-rings are still firmly attached and haven't loosened.
• Check that wall anchors and screws are still secure, particularly for Large and Gallery-size pieces, given their size and weight.
• If anything feels loose, address it before continuing to display the piece, rather than after.

A note on natural variation

Because every piece is handcrafted individually, very minor differences in mat cut, frame join, or timber grain (for Driftwood especially) are a normal part of being genuinely handmade rather than mass-produced — not a fault. If you ever have a genuine concern about your piece, see our Returns & Guarantees page.