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Archival Photograph Preservation Guide

Something alluring happens when you look at an old photograph. It's almost supernatural, as if you're defying time to peer into a lost world. Along with this feeling comes an urge to safeguard the photograph, to fortify it against any further decay. Fortunately, a wealth of archival information and photo-safe products are available to assist you. With gentle handling, the photos in your care can be preserved for generations to come.

Handling and Cleaning the Photographs
- Some dirt can be removed from old photos using a soft brush.
  
  Photographs should be taken to a clean, safe space away from smoke and bright light for handling and archiving. Find a clear work surface and remove any potentially hazardous substances such as food, beverages, glue, paint and ink. Use a delicate touch when handling the photographs and wear light cotton gloves at all times. To clean them, gently stroke the photographs a soft, dry brush to loosen dust, using only the lightest touch. Pause frequently to wipe dirt from the brush so that you don't end up redistributing the grime.
Albums
- Use photo corners to mount images safely on acid-free pages.
  
  There may be some photographs that you simply don't want to hide away in the archives. An album is the safest alternative, but you must choose your materials carefully. Typical photo albums feature "magnetic" pages with a mild adhesive and clinging plastic cover, or else their pages are vinyl sleeves containing removable paper sheets. Neither of these options is desirable: Even mild adhesives can damage photographs, and vinyl covers are also hazardous.
  
  The only suitable albums are bound volumes of sturdy archival paper with no plastic whatsoever. Use photo corners to keep your pictures fitted into the album and separate pages with a sheet of acid-free paper. Store your album in a dry space away from direct light.
Framing
- Archivists recommend metal frames over wooden ones.
  
  A frame is always a dangerous home for a vintage photograph, but there are ways to make them more friendly. Because photos are extremely sensitive to light, hang them only in spaces that are never exposed to sunlight or strong artificial lights. Acrylic ultraviolet filters can also be inserted behind the glass to reduce light damage, but they cannot eliminate the hazard. Photo archivists recommend using metal frames, as wooden ones can release damaging chemicals over time.
Storage
- Purchase boxes from archival suppliers to ensure that they are photo-friendly.
  
  Photos will be preserved most effectively in archival storage bins. If possible, store each photo individually in its own polyester sleeve. These are available in a variety of sizes from stores specializing in archival materials. If the photo is prone to bending, include a sheet of 100-percent "rag" (a paper-maker's term for cotton fiber) mat paper in the sleeve. If you are storing other documents in the same files, separate them from the photos with a sheet of archival paper. Store all photos in archival boxes away from light and moisture. Stack the photos flat and distribute them evenly to protect against warping.

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