Why Your Scripture Art Print Arrived Wrinkled or Curled

Quick answer

Most wrinkles and curls come from the print being rolled for shipping, not from a printing defect. Let the print rest flat under light, even weight for 24 to 48 hours in a dry room. If the paper still curls at the edges or shows sharp creases, stop and contact the seller rather than ironing or wetting it.

Why rolling and humidity cause curls and waves

Art prints are often rolled into a tube to protect them in transit. That curve is a temporary shape, not damage. Paper also absorbs and releases moisture from the air, so a print that was flat when packed can develop waves if it sits in a humid space or near a heat source. Changes in temperature during shipping can make the paper react the same way.

The fix is to let the paper relax slowly. Quick temperature changes, direct sunlight, or a hair dryer will dry the paper unevenly and can set new waves or damage the ink. If the print arrived in a flat mailer but still looks wavy, the cause is usually humidity in your home rather than the packaging.

How to flatten a curled art print without damage

Work on a clean, hard surface like a table or counter. Place the print image-side up between two sheets of clean, acid-free paper or parchment. Do not use newspaper, because the ink can transfer. Add a flat, rigid board on top, then stack a few heavy books or a cutting board across the whole sheet. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours.

If the edges still lift after two days, you can try the reverse-roll method for light curls. Lay the print image-side down on a clean towel, place a clean tube or rolling pin along one edge, and roll the print gently in the opposite direction of the curl. Hold for a few seconds, then lay it flat under weight again. Never roll tightly or crease the paper. For a print with a strong curl, place it between two boards and leave it under weight for a full week before deciding it is damaged.

When to stop and ask for a replacement

Stop if the paper has a sharp crease, a torn edge, or a visible dent that does not relax after 48 hours under weight. These are shipping damage, not a curl, and pressing harder will not fix them. Also stop if the ink looks cracked, flaky, or smeared. Do not iron, steam, or wet the print. Those methods can ruin the paper and void a return.

Take a photo of the print in its original packaging before you try anything, and contact the seller with that photo. Most print shops prefer to replace a genuinely damaged print rather than have you risk making it worse. If the print is a gift and you are short on time, framing it behind glass with a mat can hide a slight wave, but it will not fix a sharp crease.

Diagnose your print: symptom, cause, and action

• Soft overall curl, no creases: Caused by the print being rolled for shipping. Lay it flat between clean paper and boards under even weight for 24 to 48 hours. If it relaxes but still lifts slightly, repeat once more before framing.
• Wavy edges that appear after unpacking: Caused by humidity or a recent temperature change in your home. Move the print to a dry room, flatten under weight, and avoid placing it near radiators or windows. If waves return within a day, the room is too humid for long-term display.
• Sharp crease, dent, or torn edge: This is shipping damage, not a curl. Do not iron, steam, or wet the paper. Photograph the print and packaging, then contact the seller for a replacement. Stop here. Pressing or heating a creased print will not remove the line and can make it worse.

A note on our prints

• How Deep the Father's Love: How Deep the Father's Love is an art print inspired by the hymn and available in Color, Size, and Frame options. Because the print comes in several sizes and frame choices, you can order the size that fits your wall and skip a custom frame, which reduces the chance of handling damage after delivery.