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"What is 'Archival Storage'
and Why is it Important?"
Storing your photos and memorabilia in containers and in materials
that will not harm them over time is called "archival" storage. You
risk your old photos and hope-chest memories when using non-archival
materials! Non-archival boxes and photo albums leech acids over time
that can discolor or destroy your precious memories. (AgeSpan editor)
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1. Why archival ?
Today, many products are listed as archival,
but what does that mean? Specifically, it carries the meaning that
the product is safe and should be used for preservation purposes.
Beware, though, this term alone does not guarantee specific standards
or a length of time materials will be safe. There are many terms to
be considered depending on the product you are considering. Paper
and board products should say "acid-free"
and "lignin-free." "Buffered"
materials contain chemicals that neutralize harmful chemicals. "PH
neutral" papers and boards tend not to discolor because the acid/alkaline
balance is within a certain range. Use our pH testing pen to test
materials you may be concerned do not have a "neutral pH." If your
paper or board contains acid, you can choose to deacidify
using our Bookeeper or Wei T'o spray. This will neutralize acids present
and slow down future aging.
When choosing archival plastics,
look for specific plastics such as Mylar
DŽ (polyester), polypropylene,
and polyethlyene. They do not contain
PVC's (Polyvinyl Chloride) which
release fumes hazardous to your paper, prints and film. PVC's are
most common in vinyl.
Adhesives can be archival only if
they are removable. Many of our adhesives (linen tape, Seal Archival
Mount) have this feature. Many adhesives are acid-free and/or constructed
with acid-free materials. Instead of adhesives in direct contact with
art work, we suggest using corners to secure your work. This means
its also not a hassle to remove your work from the page.
Light Impressions guarantees all
of its products to be archival unless otherwised mentioned. Our products
go through the strictest tests in the business. One test, the P.A.T.,
checks the archival quality of papers and boards before they reach
you. This guarantees our products to be safe. Few companies can say
they go to this length to protect your memories.
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2. Can I write on the back of
photos?
Ideally, we do not recommend writing on your prints at all - especially
originals. We suggest, instead, that you make a copy of the original
and write any pertinent information on the copy. If you do choose
to write on the backs, use pencil on fiber-based
prints and a Light Impressions' Film/Print Marking Pen on resin-coated
ones.
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3. What should I use to attach
photos safely to an album page?
Make sure your mounting materials are acid-free
and archival quality. A truly
archival mount is one that is completely reversible so that photos
can be removed without fear of damage. Mounting Corners, such as our
ClearHold Corners or decorative Victorian Edge, are a good option.
They are easy-to-use, reversible, and the adhesive never comes into
contact with your photos.
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4. How can I preserve a document?
First, consider deacidifying
the document to prevent yellowing and deterioration caused by acids
present in the paper itself and in the environment. We recommend using
an effective deacidification solution such as Bookkeeper or Wei T'o.
Then encapsulate the document
to protect it from damage caused by handling, moisture, and other
environmental factors. (Note: When dealing with precious documents
or newspapers, always consult a paper conservator before proceeding.)
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5. How can I store my family
wedding dress or heirloom quilt?
Fabric items need archival
protection from exposure to acids, moths, and moisture or they will
yellow and deteriorate over time. Store items flat and wrap them in
acid-free Wrapping Tissue
for support. Then place items in a Polyethylene
Bag to protect against insects and moisture. Place a reusable Dessicant
inside the bag to absorb moisture; it will not harm fabrics. Try our
Heirloom Fabric Box Kit which contains the items listed above as well
as a sturdy archivally-safe storage box.
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6. What are the recommended storage
conditions for prints, slides, and negatives?
Your photos should share the same humidity and temperature levels
that you enjoy. Extreme temperatures adversely affect photographic
paper and emulsions, harsh light with ultraviolet
radiation causes fading, and changes in humidity result in substantial
damage.
Store your slides in polyester,
polypropylene, or polyethylene
pages. Keep the environment cool, no higher than 70°F (21°C),
and have a relative humidity between 25% and 50%, depending on the
type of film. (Higher humidity encourages growth of fungus and may
accelerate the negative effect of any residual processing chemicals
left in slides.) Control dust by air filtration and store slides in
dust-free binders and cabinets. Choose cabinets made of metal with
baked-on enamel rather than wood.
When a combination of materials
is being stored, the appropriate relative humidity should be 30%.
Specific recommended levels vary depending on emulsions and base materials.
IMPORTANT: Temperature and humidity levels should remain constant;
areas such as basements and attics, where these levels vary widely,
should not be used for long-time storage.
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7. Some plastics contain slip
agents.
What is a slip agent and can it harm my negatives or slides?
Slip agents are photographically
inert substances that prevent plastic from clinging to your film.
Any material that does not contain slip agents is ideally suited for
direct contact with your film or negatives. In some cases, however,
materials that do contain slip agents may have film transfer to the
plastic under direct pressure. We recommend enclosing your images
in FoldLock Sleeves (negatives) or Transview Sleeves (slides) before
enclosing in a material containing a slip agent.
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8. What is the difference between
buffered and non-buffered
storage papers and mat board?
Buffered paper and board
have calcium carbonate
added to raise the pH level to 8.0-8.5. The buffering agent neutralizes
acids that could potentially harm your work. They work best for the
storage and display of Black & White photos and artwork on paper.
Non-buffered paper and
board have a pH level between 7.0-7.5. There is no buffering agent,
since it may adversely affect some materials, causing color shifts
or changes. Non-buffered materials are intended for use with albumen,
cyanotype, dye transfer, and color prints (chromogenic), as well as
protein textiles.
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9. What is the difference between
an overlay and a floating mat?
An overlay mat comes right up to the edge of the print and may even
cover a bit of the image itself. A floating mat does not come into
contact with the edge of the image at all. Instead It leaves an even
space around the edge of the artwork, in effect, giving it an additional
border.
