Collecting art does not end when you bring a print home. What happens next is just as important: how you choose to keep it safe, how you decide to present it, and how you make it part of your daily life. Some collectors want their walls covered, others prefer a rotation, and many do both. The way you store and display your prints can shape how you enjoy them for years to come.
Framing and Display
Framing is the most common and reliable way to display prints. A frame protects the artwork from dust, handling, and humidity, while also giving it a finished look. Many collectors stick to one color of frame to create a consistent gallery effect across the home. Others choose different tones for each piece, letting the artwork itself dictate whether black, white, natural wood, or walnut feels right.
For collectors in the United States and Canada, we offer pre-framed editions that arrive ready to hang. This option is especially popular for gifts or for anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of custom framing. If you’re outside North America, prints ship unframed so you can choose the right frame locally. If you’d like more detail on choosing the right frame, check out our post Framing Matters: Choosing the Right Frame for Your Art.
Where you hang your prints also matters. Sunlight can be harsh, so most collectors avoid placing artwork in direct light. A hallway, bedroom, or interior wall often makes a better home than a spot beside a bright window. Some people create “salon walls,” mixing large and small works in a clustered arrangement. Others prefer the simplicity of one or two pieces on their own. For wall-safe ideas that avoid nails or damage, see Displaying Art 101: My Favorite Ways to Showcase Prints Without Damaging Walls.
Our cat and dog portraits are a popular starting point for a theme wall built around beloved animals.
Rotation and Seasonal Displays
Not every print needs to stay on the wall at all times. Many collectors keep a rotation, swapping pieces out every few months to keep their spaces feeling new. This approach allows you to enjoy more of your collection without needing endless wall space. Some even tie their rotation to the seasons, bringing out brighter or lighter works in the summer and moodier pieces in the winter.
Rotation is also a way to highlight different parts of your collection. Smaller pieces can fill nooks and shelves, while larger works become the centerpiece of a room. Our greeting cards often end up in seasonal displays, pinned to boards or set out on tables, so art can be enjoyed in casual everyday ways.
Safe Storage
When a print is not on the wall, proper storage is essential. Serious collectors often invest in flat files or archival storage boxes. These keep prints flat, free from dust, and away from damaging light. Acid-free sleeves or tissue paper provide another layer of protection. If you want to rotate your collection often, a good storage system makes it simple to pull out new works without risk.
Even casual collectors benefit from basic storage practices. A sturdy box with acid-free paper will go a long way toward keeping prints safe until you are ready to frame or display them. Avoid storing prints in damp areas such as basements, and try not to lean them loosely against walls where they can warp or crease. For more detail, see our posts on how we choose our paper and how we package your art prints, which explain some of the care practices we use ourselves.
Personal Touches
Collectors often make their own rules. Some enjoy pairing prints with objects: a still life in the kitchen beside bowls of fruit, or an animal portrait near books and keepsakes. Others like to create small “print corners,” mixing art with plants, lamps, or shelves. The goal is to let the artwork breathe while also making it part of everyday life.
A collection does not need to be static. It can grow, change, and adapt with your tastes. Whether you lean toward filling your walls or keeping a rotating selection, what matters most is that the art is lived with and enjoyed.