FAQ: How to care for your ketubah
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Your ketubah will be created using archival-quality paper and inks, designed to minimize the effects of aging. As with any work of art, proper care of your ketubah is very important. The two enemies of archival prints are UV light from the sun and acidity from your hands. It is best to keep the ketubah out of direct sunlight, and behind UV-protected glass when framed. It is best to handle your ketubah as little as possible, since the oils on your skin can counteract the archival quality of the paper. If you need to move it, make sure your hands are clean and dry, and hold it by the edges, never directly touching the image.
When you ketubah arrives, carefully remove it from its shipping tube. The ketubah will be surrounded by sheets of acid-free tissue paper. Place it between the tissue paper and sandwich it between two pieces of heavy cardboard. Place a heavy book on top to keep the ketubah flat and help remove all curves. Store the ketubah flat like this, until the day of your wedding, out of direct sun and in a cool, dry place.
I recommend that you buy an inexpensive plexiglas poster frame to protect your ketubah during your ceremony. These frames make it easy to carry the ketubah safely to the wedding, while making it easy to access the ketubah for the signing ceremony. Many couples then like to display the framed ketubah on an easel during the ceremony and reception.
It is best to use an archival pigment ink pen to sign your ketubah. These can be found in any art or framing stores, or online from the links below:
If you can't find a pigment pen (or lost it before the ceremony), a good ol' ball-point pen would work fine as well. Just make sure its not a cheap one that blotches or smears. It is a good idea to always test your pen first on the bottom-most edge of the ketubah's paper, in a space that can be trimmed off when it is framed. Make sure the ink doesn't bleed or smudge easily. And never use felt-tip pen (such as a Sharpie) since it will bleed into the paper.
After the ceremony, take your ketubah to a quality frame shop and ask them frame it like they would any work of fine art. Insist that the matt be archival quality, acid-free, and non-buffered. The ketubah should be attached to the matt using art corners or cloth tape. (I do not recommend that you let them dry mount your ketubah, since this cannot be undone.) The glass or plexiglas should have the maximum UV protection available. It may cost more, but the investment will be worth it. Make sure they understand what this ketubah means to you, and that it is irreplaceable.
Like all fine art, your ketubah is sensitive to the environment it is hung in, and needs to be treated with care. When choosing where to hang the ketubah in your home, keep it away from direct sunlight. Also keep your ketubah away from walls that have large fluctuations in humidity, such as exterior walls, or walls over fireplaces, air-conditioners, large windows, bathrooms, etc. Paper tends to absord moisture in the air, and large changes in humidity can result in buckling.
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