The short answer: a print made with the right materials lasts more than 100 years. One made with the wrong materials fades within a few years.
What does archival quality mean?
Archival quality means the print is made with materials that will keep its colour and tone for many years. That is why the paper matters, and so does the ink or the chemistry. A cheap paper or ink looks the same on the first day; you see the difference years later.
My prints
My reproduction prints are made on Fujifilm Crystal Archive DPII silver photographic paper — archival quality.
My signed fine-art prints are printed on premium heavy paper with carbon archival inks. Carbon ink is one of the most fade-resistant options there is.
How to look after a print
Keeping the print out of direct sunlight is enough — the materials do the rest. It is also worth keeping it away from damp places. If you have it framed, a mat leaves a small gap between the print and the glass and keeps the print from sticking to it.
For print types and sizes, see the Artworks page.