Archive Guidance for Families: A Handy Guide
In today's digital age, the value of physical photographic prints cannot be understated. To ensure these cherished memories last for generations, it's essential to follow some best practices for their storage.
Firstly, store your prints in a cool, dry, and stable environment. Ideal conditions are around 75°F (24°C) and 50% relative humidity, avoiding fluctuations that can cause damage. Keep prints away from direct sunlight and strong light sources to prevent fading and deterioration caused by UV radiation and heat.
When choosing storage materials, opt for archival-quality, acid- and lignin-free options such as photo albums, storage boxes, sleeves, or envelopes. For loose prints, consider protective enclosures like Mylar sleeves to add an extra barrier against physical damage and environmental pollutants.
Avoid adhesives or tapes directly on prints; instead, use archival photo corners or strips to mount photographs safely if framing. Store photographs in living areas rather than basements or attics to maintain stable environmental conditions. Seal the back of framed prints to help protect against dust and moisture ingress.
When cleaning prints, use a clean, dry, white, lint-free cloth or a soft-bristled brush to remove dust without causing damage. Never treat photographs with heat, water, or solvents, as this can cause permanent damage.
For large prints or those with damaged edges, store them flat in small stacks inside standard size boxes. Faded and stained black-and-white photos can be photographically copied and enhanced. Damaged photos can be scanned into a computer and digitally enhanced to restore the damaged areas.
Remember, digitizing photographs offers safe and easy access to the images, but do not throw away the original film and prints after digitizing them. Data can be lost when the storage media deteriorates and software and hardware technology become obsolete.
For more comprehensive guidance, refer to "Caring for Your Collections," a guide for the average collector. If you have fragile or damaged photos, consider seeking help from the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC), which can provide referrals to conservators for photographic treatments.
Lastly, albums are ideal for storing photographic prints, especially snapshots and heirloom photographs, but should be used for selected groups of photographs due to their expense and bulk. Matting photographs in high-quality ragboard or matboard is the safest and most expensive way to store photographs, especially for photos that are to be framed and displayed.
By following these practices, photographic prints can be preserved and protected against common causes of deterioration such as fading, moisture damage, chemical breakdown, and physical wear.
- To enhance your lifestyle and maintain a collection of valuable keepsakes, consider investing in books on "Caring for Your Collections" for comprehensive guidance.
- For a stylish and protected home, store photographic prints in archival-quality albums, photo boxes, or sleeves, found under home-and-garden or fashion-and-beauty sections.
- In the spirit of education and self-development, learn about sustainable food-and-drink options by pairing your cherished photographs with eco-friendly meal choices, thus combining heritage with modern living.
