The Basics of Archival Photo Storage

If you are not planning to display your photos right away, or need to store them for any length of time, you’ll need a good-quality archival photo storage system; simply dropping your photos into a cardboard box and stashing them in the attic or worse, the basement absolutely will not do. Archival storage boxes are specially designed to protect your photos from what people commonly call “the ravages of time,” which are actually dust, UV rays, moisture, acidity and other environmental pollutants. clear bags and acid free mount board are also necessary in addition to proper photo storage boxes in order to protect your photos properly as part of a comprehensive archival photo storage solution.

Here’s the problem: the papermaking process has historically involved the use of chemicals that leave traces of acidity. These acids are in such low amounts that they do not harm us; however, these trace chemicals can cause interactions with the chemical dyes used on the photos themselves. This is the primary reason for using acid free mount board as well as crystal clear acid free plastic bags. When acid comes in contact with your photos, discoloration and brittleness can result, ultimately causing the complete destruction of your valuable non-digital images. Mounting the photos will keep them flat and rigid while in storage, and the clear bags will protect them from moisture as well.

Acid free mount board as well as photo storage boxes have been especially treated with a high pH level, alkaline substance that is designed to neutralize any form of acid that could come in contact with the surface of your photos. This substance is known as a buffering agent, and is used in all good quality archival and framing materials.

Another threat to your photos comes from sunlight, ironically enough. Although light is necessary in order to take traditional photos, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause photos to fade. This is another reason for proper archival photo storage solutions.

Of course, you should not tempt fate; archival photo storage should not be done in a basement or garage, or any other place that is subject to dampness, temperature extremes or chemical pollution. The best place to put your archival storage boxes is a shelf in a closet that is dark, dry and remains at a fairly constant.

Archival photo storage is a science, but it is not a complex one; it is simply a matter of having the proper tools and elements for the job. Just make sure that the phot storage boxes and other materials of the highest quality you can afford, and do you archival photo storage in a place that is temperature constant and free of humidity.