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I changed cardstock storage to vertically in Ikea Kallax shelving and was wondering if I need to be concerned about the sun fading the cardstock; since only the edge is displayed. The room gets lots of light from double French doors (northwest), but there are only a couple of hours of direct sunlight coming through the glass. Should I keep the curtains closed only during the direct sunlight time or all day?
I keep an old vintage table cloth draped over mine... and sometimes the edges of the ones near the floor that should theoretically not be getting any direct light have faded.
but, lots of times I forget to put the table cloth back, so it's been my experience that my smaller cardstock ( that fits in the file cabinet drawers is holding its color better/longer)
I'd close the curtains while you are not working in there if it were me.
A few years ago, I stored my cardstock in horizontal paper shelves in a room that did not get direct sun but did have a couple of windows. It faded a lot (especially Stampin Up). Since then I have stored it in closed file drawers.
I keep my paper stock behind closed doors in my stamp cabinet. But if I leave the doors open (it has a pull-out worktable behind the same doors) for an extended time, the edges of the paper fades a little. Some colors fade more readily than others.
Unless you're going to use the CS soon, or don't mind trimming off the faded edge*, it's going to need to be stored out of the sunlight. I love to see all my stuff, but my CS is stored in such a way that I can easily open the door to see it, get at it, but close it up again to minimize exposure to sunlight.
*ask me how I know ... sigh ...
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
I have mine vertical too. I tend to keep the curtains closed at high sun times-the room faces west so I have the morning open-they have black out material on the outside-multi tasks...also helps keep the room cooler in summer. If I lose an edge I wont get crazy but I have not yet.
But we keep blinds and curtains closed in most of the house due to fading issues at certain times of the year/sun angles. I am more worried about my furniture....at least it seems to be fading evenly..
Birdwalk ::::
When I was a kid, I used to lay on the bed for hours thinking I was going to get a tan because mom kept wonking on about strong sun and fading...all I got for my trouble were sweaty naps. lol
I dont know if some papers/brands are more prone to fading-that's a good question!
Fluorescent lights will fade things, too. There is something in them that does the same thing as sunlight, that's why they use them as 'grow lights.'
Sunlight and fluorescents will fade fabrics, framed prints and other printed artwork. Along with our treasured cardstock!
Is there a way you can protect your CS without sacrificing the sunlight coming into your space (which is lovely when you're putting a creation together)? I can't think of the name of the material that's like a thick poster board, kids use it for science fair presentations and such ... could you use that to cover your CS space when you don't need to be accessing it, but could easily move it away when you want to get at your CS? It's easy to cut to size, and with some pretty Duct Tape hinges the possibilities are endless, lol!
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
Last edited by jeaniebean55; 05-22-2017 at 05:52 PM..
I will have the curtains open when I am in there, and closing them will keep the room cooler (This is Arizona and it will be over 100 degrees today.) I just don't think I would like seeing the Ikea cubbies covered by paper "doors" or little fabric "curtains". Now, wouldn't it be nice if Ikea came up with an impressive facade to hide the contents?
Are they kept inside anything? For what it's worth, my CS stored vertically in job ticket holders (with the top piece/hole cut off), and I wonder if that thick plastic helps. On the other hand, while the room gets very sunny in the afternoon, I keep the blinds closed then since it's too bright, plus close them whenever I leave the room. And direct sunlight doesn't hit the book case that holds them.
I keep my 8 1/2 by 11 paper in hanging file folders in the mesh file cubes. I use my paper pretty fast since i do classes but don't have that problem even with colors that aren't my favs.
My craftroom has one window and gets the afternoon sun, when I noticed CS fading a few years ago I placed my CS in the closet of my craft room. No problems since then.
__________________ Irene I have learned one thing from our ancient Greek ancestors- PAN METRON ARISTON- "Nothing In Excess"
I use the Sterilite 12 x 12 drawers. I cut black cardstock strips at 12 x 2 and place them upright against the edge of the drawer on the side by the window. The paper in the drawer holds the strip up so it doesn't fall. That strip will fade, but keeps the edges of the 12 x 12 paper from fading.
I use 12 x 12 Iris plastic cases. Some are stacked in the racks made for them and others are just stacked. Since I am a retired teacher, I put bulletin board trim around the edges to protect the paper. The trim comes in many colors and patterns that are not "school" related and they look very cute! The tops are covered by whatever is stacked on top. The top one is covered by an ugly sheet of dsp that I don't plan to use for anything else.
I live in Arizona and have a large window in my craft room that is so situated to get sunlight most of the day, most of the year. However, I love the light and leave the shade up until it just gets too hot---end of May and June (before monsoon)---for a few hours in the morning. However, even ambient light will fade cardstock, so I have always kept mine vertically in file drawers under my work table. That way I can see all of the colors with one pull on the drawer, make my selections and close it up to be protected. Even with that, a few of some of my really old colors are ever so slightly faded on the extreme edge. Now, I have been known to leave that drawer (and several others) hanging open for a good while, too. (Hanging head in shame.)
I keep my solid 8 x 11 1/2 paper in a file cabinet in file folders. I use SU paper, so I file it by the name of the color. I use to keep it on a shelf, but since I started using the metal file cabinet, no problems. I also put a sheet protector in front of each folder to keep odd pieces. My DSP I keep in 12x12 plastic containers.
__________________ Carolyn My Gallery - Fan Club Member "Snowmen fall from heaven...unassembled." Author unknown
I keep my solid 8 x 11 1/2 paper in a file cabinet in file folders. I use SU paper, so I file it by the name of the color. I use to keep it on a shelf, but since I started using the metal file cabinet, no problems. I also put a sheet protector in front of each folder to keep odd pieces. My DSP I keep in 12x12 plastic containers.
You definitely need to protect it from fading. My room only gets about 1 hour of light in the morning yet my cardstock, even just the bits sticking up out of my bin faded quickly and badly. I'd recommend a door, curtain or opaque storage within the space.
Ikea do doors for the Kallax /expedit cube shelving. They might be an option.
I think it might be easier to move your shelving to the wall where your window is tho.
__________________ Mary ~~ QFTD #152, FS#514CC Guest Design Team 2012, 2013, 2017 & 2022 2014 CAS Spring Design Team MemberSC Guest Design Team 2015 & 2022 SU Consultant "Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life" - Lion King
Sometimes I have to stop craft-browsing when I see those neat stacks of acrylic cardstock shelving units, sized for setting atop your craft table. I do love the 'look' of those! But the reality settles back in. Even leaving a folder of C/S out on a table can result in faded edges. Sadness.
So for years, I have kept all extra packages & retired C/S packs behind closed cabinet doors. The open packs in use live in a closed horizontal file cabinet in individual folders within the hanging files.
Whatever method you use, "covered/protected/hidden" from sunlight is the key.
Sometimes I have to stop craft-browsing when I see those neat stacks of acrylic cardstock shelving units, sized for setting atop your craft table. I do love the 'look' of those! But the reality settles back in. Even leaving a folder of C/S out on a table can result in faded edges. Sadness.
So for years, I have kept all extra packages & retired C/S packs behind closed cabinet doors. The open packs in use live in a closed horizontal file cabinet in individual folders within the hanging files.
Whatever method you use, "covered/protected/hidden" from sunlight is the key.
This is my system exactly. I agree with you completely. Guess we think alike!
I use the magazine holders with job pockets and my room has 3 good size eastern facing windows with sun screens. I don't have a lot of fading and when the paper faded it took years to show up. My backup paper is out of direct sun. I like the ease of use for the system so I don't mind if now and then I have to trim a piece of paper. It's all about perspective and if anything it tells me to use up my paper faster LOL
Sunlight and Cardstock- Your Experience?
Every time I wish I had a nice upstairs craft room with natural light, something like this subject comes along and I guess I'm sort of glad I don't have that to worry about!! As a side note, I keep all my cs under wraps to protect it from that dread of all dreads..........DUST!!!!!!!! Same goes for my ribbon. Crafty Cave Dwellers United
