Natural wood brings a timeless warmth and lasting durability to any space. To make the most of these natural benefits, Craftmkr uses premium Varnish Veneer finishes and advanced UV printing techniques to ensure your piece retains its vibrant colors and resists everyday wear.

However, like all natural materials, your new item still needs a little routine maintenance to protect it from the elements. In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to care for your Craftmkr wooden products so they stay looking as beautiful as the day you unboxed them.

1. How Long Will Your Craftmkr Piece Last?

With proper care, your wooden keepsakes are designed to last a long time. Here is what you can expect based on the finish and material of your item:

• Plain Basswood: 10+ Years (Indoor)Basswood is incredibly stable once dried, making it perfect for the fine, intricate engraving we do. As long as it is kept out of direct sunlight, it will last a decade or more!
• UV Printed Finish: 5+ Years (Indoor)
  Our UV inks are inherently water-resistant, fade-resistant, and scratch-resistant, making them highly durable for long-term indoor display.
• Varnished Wood Veneer: 3+ Years (Indoor)
  Clear varnishes naturally wear over time. You may need to gently reapply a fresh clear coat after a few years to restore its original luster.
  
• Outdoor Use: 6-12 Months
  Wood is a natural material that reacts to the elements. If placed outdoors, expect the finish to last 6-12 months before needing a protective recoat (which we recommend doing every 12 to 24 months).

The Golden Rule: Avoiding direct sunlight, keeping the wood dry, and maintaining a regular cleaning routine are the three easiest ways to drastically extend the life of your piece.

2. Ideal Storage & Display Conditions

Wood is a living, breathing material that expands and contracts with its environment. Where you hang or store your piece matters!

The Do's:

• Keep the Temp Right: Aim for a comfortable room temperature between 15-25°C (60-80°F). Avoid extreme heat (over 40°C / 104°F), as it can cause the wood glue to soften.

• Watch the Humidity: Wood loves consistency. A relative humidity (RH) of 30-55% is ideal. (Pro Tip: You can grab a $20 digital hygrometer online to keep an eye on your room's humidity!)

• Allow for Airflow: If you are adding your piece to a gallery wall, leave a ¼-inch gap between items to allow air to circulate.

• Display Smartly: When hanging frames, ensure they aren't bearing unnecessary weight. If storing signs flat, ensure they are on a completely flat surface to prevent bowing.

The Don'ts:

• NO Direct Sunlight: UV rays are wood's worst enemy. All finishes will eventually fade under direct sun, and sadly, sun-fading is irreversible.

• NO Heavy Stacking: Basswood is a soft wood, and our intricate 3-4mm layers are delicate. Never stack heavy items on top of your signs.

• NO Hot Cars or HVAC Vents: Never leave your piece in a hot car (temps can easily exceed 51°C / 123°F, which will melt the adhesive). Avoid hanging pieces directly over heating vents, radiators, or AC units.

• NO Bathrooms or Floors: Unless you purchased from our specific waterproof line, avoid high-humidity areas like bathrooms. Never store wood directly on the floor where it can easily absorb moisture.

3. Keep It Fresh✨: Daily Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning your wood items is incredibly easy. Just remember to be gentle!

• Weekly Dusting: Gently wipe your piece with a dry microfiber or soft lint-free cloth. This prevents dust buildup in the engraved crevices.

• For Stubborn Smudges: Lightly dampen your soft cloth with water, wipe in the direction of the wood grain, and dry it immediately with a separate dry cloth.

• Deep Cleaning: For tougher grime, mix a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water. Lightly dampen your cloth, wipe gently, and dry immediately.

🛑 What to Avoid:

• Never soak or submerge in water. Basswood is not moisture-proof; trapped water will cause warping and delamination.

• No harsh chemicals. Skip the heavy-duty cleaners, abrasives, or silicone-based sprays.

• No wax or oil-based polishes. These can leave unsightly dark spots or discolor the natural wood grain.

• Never scrub against the grain. Always wipe with the grain to avoid micro-scratches.

Recommended Cleaning Schedule:

• Standard Indoor: Dust weekly, clean monthly.

• High-Dust Homes: Deep clean weekly.

• Outdoor Display: Clean every 2 weeks and inspect for fading or weather wear.

4. Hanging Safe: The 3M Adhesive Guide

If you are using 3M Command Strips or adhesive tapes to mount your Craftmkr sign, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Application Rules: Apply the adhesive in a room that is at least 15°C (59°F). Wait 1 full hour after applying the strips to the wall before hanging the sign. This ensures the glue bonds securely. (Once bonded, it holds firm down to -5°C).

• Heatwave Warning: If your room temperature spikes above 40°C (104°F), the adhesive will soften. We highly recommend temporarily taking your sign down during extreme heatwaves to prevent it from falling.

• One-Time Use: Remember, 3M strips are single-use. If you move the sign, you must use fresh strips.

When to Check Your Adhesive:

• Indoor (Standard): Check every 3 months.

• Near a Window: Check monthly.

• Outdoor: Check every 2 weeks.

• What to look for: Gently check if the edges of the adhesive are lifting or if the glue feels gummy.

5. Uh-Oh!⚡ Warning Signs & Quick Fixes 

Catching an issue early can save your beautiful keepsake. Here is what to watch out for and how to fix it:

• Edges Peeling Up: If the multi-layered basswood is separating, it means the glue is failing. Fix: Carefully apply a tiny drop of wood glue or CA glue (super glue) with a toothpick, press firmly, and clamp it for a few days.

• Hollow Sound When Tapped: If you gently tap the layers and it sounds hollow, the internal glue has separated. Fix: See peeling edges above.

• White Glue Lines ("Chalking"): If the glue lines look chalky white, the adhesive dried out too quickly or experienced extreme temperature shifts.

• Wood Warping or Bowing: This means the wood is absorbing too much moisture or drying out unevenly. Fix: Move the piece to a climate-controlled room with stable humidity (30-55% RH) away from direct sun.

• Loose Hardware: If your item features Chicago screws (binding posts), they can occasionally loosen over time. Fix: Simply give them a quick manual tightening.

• Noticeable Fading: If reds and yellows are losing their punch, it’s sun damage. Fix: Fading is irreversible, but you can prevent further damage by moving it to a shaded wall. For varnished items, you can apply a fresh clear coat.

Below is a quick reference table outlining the material characteristics and essential care tips for our two most popular finishes:

We hope this guide helps you  enjoy your Craftmkr pieces for years to come. If you ever have a specific question about an item you've purchased, our studio team is always here to help. Just contact us via email or Instagram.