Display & Storage
A few basic tips that will help insure the longevity of your taxidermy or model:
• No direct sunlight. Sunlight discolors and fades almost everything. Display or store your piece in an interior room or area away from windows.
• No high humidity, and avoid large swings in humidity levels.
• Keep temperature moderate. Avoid large temperature swings. Choose not to display items in interior places where there are such wide temperature differences, such as above fireplaces.
• Avoid dust. Where possible display specimens in a closed case. When in storage, cover specimens in plastic (not cloth--dust will eventually work its way through).
Packing & Shipping
A major issue in restoration is the handling, packing and shipping of the specimen to and from the restorer; often further damage occurs to the item in transit. Here are some strategies toward reducing possible damage:
• Where possible contain item in a plastic bag or otherwise seal container from any water damage during transit.
• Use a reinforced box or crate. A sturdy box will absorb any impacts to the container.
• For especially delicate items, affix them by their base or other mounting implement to the interior of a box, and otherwise leave the box empty. Place this box inside another box with packing material. The interior box protects the delicate item from the packing material, and the packing material and exterior box protect from impacts to the container.