You spent time choosing the perfect text, generating artwork that reflects your relationship, and getting every detail right. Now your ketubah has arrived, it has been signed, and the wedding is behind you. The next question is practical: how do you take care of this piece of art so it still looks beautiful in thirty years?
Here is a straightforward guide to caring for your ketubah, whether you ordered a fine art matte print or a stretched canvas.
Fine Art Matte Print Care
Our fine art prints are produced on photo rag paper — a heavyweight, acid-free cotton paper with a soft, lightly textured surface. It is the same paper used by fine art photographers and galleries for museum-quality prints. Combined with pigment-based inks rated to last over 100 years under proper conditions, it reproduces color with rich depth and a natural, non-reflective finish.
Framing
The single most important thing you can do for a paper ketubah is frame it properly. Here is what "properly" means:
- Use acid-free matting. A mat creates a buffer of air between the glass and the print, preventing the paper from sticking to the glass over time (which can happen with humidity changes). Make sure the mat board is acid-free. Regular mat board contains lignin and acids that will yellow and damage your print over the years.
- Use UV-protective glass or acrylic. Standard glass blocks very little ultraviolet light. UV-protective glass (such as Tru Vue Conservation Clear or Museum Glass) filters out the UV rays that cause colors to fade. Museum Glass also reduces reflections, which makes the print easier to see and enjoy.
- Ask your framer for archival mounting. The print should be attached to the backing board with archival tape or corners, not glued. Glue is permanent and can damage the paper. Archival corners or hinges hold the print securely while allowing it to be removed later if needed.
A good frame job from a local frame shop typically costs between $150 and $400 depending on size and glass choice. It is one of the best investments you can make in the longevity of your ketubah.
Placement
Hang your framed ketubah away from direct sunlight. Even with UV-protective glass, prolonged direct sun will cause gradual fading over many years. A wall that receives indirect natural light is ideal. Avoid hanging it directly opposite a large window or in a sunroom.
Also avoid areas with high humidity or temperature swings: bathrooms, above radiators, or on exterior walls in climates with harsh winters. Consistent, moderate conditions are what archival materials like best.
Stretched Canvas Care
Our stretched canvas ketubahs ship ready to hang. The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame and arrives with D-ring hangers already attached to the back.
Hanging
Use two screws or nails in the wall, spaced to match the D-rings on the back of the canvas. Two attachment points keep the canvas level and prevent it from tilting forward. Make sure the screws are securely anchored, either in a stud or with appropriate wall anchors for your wall type.
Handling
Always handle canvas by the edges or the wooden frame on the back. Avoid touching the printed surface with your fingers. The oils from your skin won't cause immediate damage, but over time they can leave marks that are difficult to remove.
Cleaning
Dust your canvas with a soft, dry cloth or a very soft brush. Do not use water, cleaning sprays, or any liquid on the canvas surface. If something spills on the canvas, blot it immediately with a dry cloth and do not rub.
Canvas does not need to be framed behind glass. The texture and finish of the canvas are part of its aesthetic, and glass would add glare while hiding the tactile quality that makes canvas appealing. However, the same rules about sunlight apply: indirect light is best.
The Signing Pen: Get This Right
The ketubah signing happens once, and whatever pen you use becomes permanent. Choose wisely.
We recommend the Sakura Pigma Micron pen. Here is why:
- Archival ink. Pigma Micron pens use pigment-based ink, not dye-based. Pigment ink is lightfast and waterfast, meaning it will not fade from sunlight exposure and will not run or bleed if it gets damp.
- Works on both paper and canvas. Many pens that work well on paper skip or bleed on canvas. Micron pens write cleanly on both surfaces.
- No bleed-through. The ink stays on the surface and does not seep through to the back of the paper.
- Easy to find. Available at Staples, Michaels, Blick Art Materials, and most art supply stores. Also available online. The 05 (0.45mm) size works well for signatures.
Buy the pen in advance and practice signing on a piece of scrap paper or cardboard. The signing moment at a wedding can be emotional and rushed. Knowing how the pen feels in your hand removes one small source of stress.
Your Digital Backup
Every ketubah you purchase includes a high-resolution digital file that stays in your account forever. That file is yours — you can take it to any local print shop, frame shop, or online printing service and print as many copies as you like, in any size. If your original is damaged in a move, a flood, or an enthusiastic toddler encounter, you are not starting from scratch. Just print another one.
Some couples order a second print for a parent or grandparent, or keep an unframed copy in a safe place as a backup. The file is always there when you need it.
Display Ideas
Your ketubah should hang somewhere you will actually see it. This sounds obvious, but many ketubahs end up in hallways or spare rooms where they are rarely noticed. Consider these spots:
- Bedroom. Above the bed or on the wall you face when you wake up. A daily reminder of what you committed to each other.
- Living room. A prominent wall where it becomes part of your home's identity. Guests will notice it and ask about it, which gives you an excuse to tell the story.
- Entryway. The first thing you see when you come home. Some couples pair it with a mezuzah on the doorpost for a complete Jewish home welcome.
- Home office. If you spend your days working from home, having your ketubah in your line of sight adds warmth to a functional space.
Wherever you choose, make sure the lighting flatters the art. A small picture light above a framed ketubah can make the colors glow without exposing it to UV damage.
Your ketubah is built to last. A little care in framing and placement ensures it stays as vivid and meaningful as the day you signed it.