Light exposure is one of the most destructive forces affecting collectible materials. UV radiation, visible light, and heat accelerate color fading, ink breakdown, pigment instability, fiber embrittlement, and long-term deterioration in photographs, documents, autographs, comics, watercolors, textiles, and other sensitive items. Because this damage is cumulative and irreversible, museums rely on the Light Exposure Index to determine safe display times and illumination limits.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 262 — The Light Exposure Index: Safe Display Times for Sensitive Materials provides a complete, museum-grade system for evaluating light sensitivity, calculating safe exposure hours, selecting proper lighting, reducing UV intensity, and structuring display rotations. This guide explains how to classify materials by sensitivity category, determine appropriate lux limits, recognize early signs of light damage, and design lighting plans that balance display with preservation.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Classify items by sensitivity: highly sensitive, moderately sensitive, and durable
Determine safe annual exposure limits for documents, photos, comics & artworks
Understand UV, visible light, infrared radiation & heat-related deterioration
Evaluate inks, pigments, dyes, and substrates for light vulnerability
Calculate lux-hour exposure using museum-standard formulas
Select proper LEDs, filters, glazing, UV films & display-case systems
Identify early fading, oxidation, ghosting, and pigment dulling
Create rotation schedules (e.g., 3 months on display, 9 months dark)
Decide when an item is too sensitive for display and requires storage
Use lux meters, UV meters & data-loggers to monitor exposure
Build a custom Light Exposure Plan for long-term preservation
Volume 262 delivers a conservation-grade framework for protecting sensitive materials from light damage—ensuring safer display, reduced long-term deterioration, and extended lifespan of irreplaceable collectibles.
Digital Download — PDF • 7 Pages • Instant Access
Light exposure is one of the most destructive forces affecting collectible materials. UV radiation, visible light, and heat accelerate color fading, ink breakdown, pigment instability, fiber embrittlement, and long-term deterioration in photographs, documents, autographs, comics, watercolors, textiles, and other sensitive items. Because this damage is cumulative and irreversible, museums rely on the Light Exposure Index to determine safe display times and illumination limits.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 262 — The Light Exposure Index: Safe Display Times for Sensitive Materials provides a complete, museum-grade system for evaluating light sensitivity, calculating safe exposure hours, selecting proper lighting, reducing UV intensity, and structuring display rotations. This guide explains how to classify materials by sensitivity category, determine appropriate lux limits, recognize early signs of light damage, and design lighting plans that balance display with preservation.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Classify items by sensitivity: highly sensitive, moderately sensitive, and durable
Determine safe annual exposure limits for documents, photos, comics & artworks
Understand UV, visible light, infrared radiation & heat-related deterioration
Evaluate inks, pigments, dyes, and substrates for light vulnerability
Calculate lux-hour exposure using museum-standard formulas
Select proper LEDs, filters, glazing, UV films & display-case systems
Identify early fading, oxidation, ghosting, and pigment dulling
Create rotation schedules (e.g., 3 months on display, 9 months dark)
Decide when an item is too sensitive for display and requires storage
Use lux meters, UV meters & data-loggers to monitor exposure
Build a custom Light Exposure Plan for long-term preservation
Volume 262 delivers a conservation-grade framework for protecting sensitive materials from light damage—ensuring safer display, reduced long-term deterioration, and extended lifespan of irreplaceable collectibles.
Digital Download — PDF • 7 Pages • Instant Access
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