Do not leave items sitting on the floor . Do not touch the front or back of paintings, prints, photos, etc. Do not allow anything to rest against either surface. Give dimensions in that same order. Height usually proceeds width.
Measurements ought to be recorded in both English and metric units .
The metric measurement taken is one digit to the right of the decimal point, even if it is zero. Paintings and other works of art on paper are measured on the reverse , along the outer edges of the stretcher or panel. If a frame prevents this, then measure what can be seen from the front and note that. See Museum Registration Methods , chapter 4, for more specific details. The label is not attached directly to object, and must be easy to remove when needed.