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46 Main Street & The Concourse • Waterville, ME 04901

(207) 872-8927

Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00

Saturday 8:30-4:00

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The Right Glass For Your Keepsake

Even in normal light conditions, most prints and photos can fade over time. That's why we recommend using conservation glass on your artwork. With the popularity of CFL (compact florescent lamp), this is especially important as fluorescent lighting does have a UV wave that can, as opposed to incandescent lighting.

Keep in mind that no matter what glass you choose, we highly recommend you to keep your artwork out of direct sunlight and areas with a lot of florescent light to preserve it even further.

Glass Examples, courtesy of Tru Vue
Tru Vue Logo

We proudly use Tru Vue glass in our shop, and recommend Museum for ultimate clarity and protection.

Museum Glass

Pros: Up to 99% UV Protection - Slows down fading in normal lighting conditions. Highest-quality glass available. Anti-reflective film rather than etched cuts out reflection but still maintains the clarity of clear glass. Can be cleaned easily.

Cons: Most expensive, but well worth the cost.

Conservation Reflection Control Glass

Pros: Etched one side defuses light to minimize reflection; Up to 99% UV Protection - Slows down fading in normal lighting conditions.

Cons: Tends to "fuzz out" detail the further it sits from the artwork; will lose clarity with direct spotlight.

Conservation Clear Glass

Pros: Up to 99% UV Protection - Slows down fading in normal lighting conditions.

Cons: no reflection control.

Reflection Control Picture Glass

Pros: Etched one side defuses light to minimize reflection.

Cons: tends to "fuzz out" details the further it sits from artwork; no conservation properties against fading.

Picture Glass

Pros: inexpensive.

Cons: no conservation properties against fading, no reflection control.

An alternative to glass is acrylic glazing (commonly referred as Plexiglass or Plexi). We use Tru Vue Picture-Grade Acrylic in the shop, and it is available in Premium Clear, Reflection Control, Conservation Clear, Conservation Reflection Control, and Optium (the Museum glass equivelant). We recommend these options when a piece is too large to safely handle glass, or if the piece would be in a high-traffic area.