Photographic Media
Handling
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Avoid bending or creasing.
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Use two hands; don’t pick up items by one edge.
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Wear white, lint free gloves when handling.
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Keep photographs covered when they are not being viewed immediately.
Processing Tasks
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Place photographs in appropriate sized Mylar sleeves for easy viewing and protection.
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If you are maintaining photographs within a paper -based collection, place the photograph in the Mylar sleeve, then place the sleeve in a standard sized, acid- free envelope or fold within acid-free paper.
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Mylar enclosure can be quite expensive. Another option is to use alkaline envelopes; or create your own folder for the photographs by folding a piece of archival quality paper in half. When storing photographs using this type of folder, make sure it is well supported, so the photograph doesn’t bend or curl.
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Place cased objects, such as daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, in their original cases or frames. If possible, encase them in custom-made, four-flap paper enclosures to reduce wear and tear on fragile cases.
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Place individually housed prints, negatives, and cased objects in acid-free, durable boxes that will afford further protection from light, dust, and potential environmental fluctuations.
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Mark enclosures with pencil only. If it is necessary to mark a photograph, write lightly with a soft lead pencil on the reverse of the image.
Photographs should be handled with two hands wearing white, lint-free gloves.
Learn More: NEDCC Storage Enclosures for Photographic Materials
Preservation of Photographs: Select Bibliography
A Short Guide to Film-Based Photographic Materials:
To view proper handling of large photographs, click here.
