To maximize the longevity and enjoyment of your print, I recommend having it professionally framed. Framers are skilled professionals, experts at bringing out the very best in your newly-acquired art.

Your framer will likely offer you the option of using museum glass, which has a coating that drastically reduces glare and reflections. While more expensive than plain glass, it can be worth it.

Things to consider when deciding on framing glass include:

• how your print will be lit. Ceiling-mounted art lights reduce the need for museum glass.

• the source of ambient light in the room. Sources of light at head-height, such as windows and table lamps, are more likely than ceiling fixtures to cause bothersome reflections.

• how dark or light the print is. Reflections are more of a problem for dark-toned prints.

You may also be offered a choice of mounting methods. Mounting is the way the print is attached to the backing board in a frame. Typically two methods are available: conservation (aka museum) mounting and pressure (aka dry or vacuum) mounting.

Conservation mounting uses techniques that are totally reversible; should the frame become damaged, the print can be easily transferred to a new frame. Pressure mounting, on the other hand, uses an adhesive to permanently glue the print to the backing board.

The preferred method is usually conservation mounting. However, if you intend to display your print in a humid environment, you may want to consider pressure mounting. All paper will warp to some degree in high humidity, and pressure mounting can prevent a noticeable wavy surface pattern from becoming visible.

Nothing improves the appearance of art more than good lighting. The gold standard for lighting a print is a ceiling-mounted spotlight, shining down on the print at about a 45° angle. While specialized art lights exist, inexpensive track lighting, available from your local home supply store, is more than adequate. Incandescent halogen bulbs are the best, but LED technology has improved greatly in recent years, and most brands of LED spotlights are now also quite good.

If dedicated art lighting isn't possible, try to hang your print in a well-lit room. If you do intend to hang a print in a dimmer location, consider picking a lighter-toned print.

The sun is a print's worst enemy. Even when protected by glass with a UV coating, exposure to bright sunlight will fade a print. Extremes of temperature and humidity can also be harmful, although these are nowhere near as damaging as sunlight. Hang your print in a location where exposure to the sun is minimized.

Professionally-framed prints require little care, apart from occasional dusting with a soft rag. Avoid harsh chemical glass cleaners, especially if you have museum glass; some cleaners can damage the anti-reflection coating.