Storing photographs, negatives and slides correctly will help to prevent discolouration and prolong the life of photographs. Photographs should be protected from dust, dirt and fingerprints during handling.
One easy step to take is to ensure that your collection is kept in a suitable environment. We suggest that you do not keep your collection in rooms such as basements, attics or garages where conditions are unstable, damp and cold. Keep photographs, negatives and slides away from direct sunlight because UV rays will fade the images. When handling rare photographs, negatives and slides, protect them from fingerprints and body oils by wearing cotton gloves
(product code 837-600M).Before storing photographs, negatives and slides it is important to ensure that they are clean, free from moisture, dust and dirt. If you do identify a problem when checking your images you may require specialist advice from a photographic conservator. You can find a conservator by searching free of charge online at
www.conservationregister.com Arcare offers a range of acid-free polyester pockets that are crystal clear and can be stored in archival boxes and albums. Archivists and conservators insist on polyester for glass clear inert protection knowing it will not crack or yellow with age
(product code 565-475). Acid free envelopes are ideal for long-term storage in archival boxes.
To store rare glass negatives Arcare supplies a four flap enclosure
(product code 727-33316). You may choose to store your photographs in an archival album, for that we suggest using acid-free adhesive corners
(product code 533-0022).