How To Store Black + White Paper

[adam hirsch]

I'm new to printing in the darkroom. I recently bought a supply of paper, including Adox MCC 110, and I've read that it's important to store the unused paper in a relatively cool and dry place. I'm using the paper at a slow pace (about one 25 sheet pack per month,) and at this pace, my supply of paper should last about one year.
Should I store most of the paper in my fridge? The freezer? Right now it's stored in a finished basement, which is very dry, but not overly cool (about 70 deg.) I would like to store it in my refridgerator; my concern is that if I place a sealed, unopened pack or box of paper in the refridgerator, condensation will adversly affect the paper, over time. From what I can tell the inner black bag would not seal moisture away from the paper. I store film in the refridgerator, but in ziplock bags. I guess to summarize: should I store in the fridge for a year's storage, and, if I should, do I need some sort of ziplock bag to seal out moisture? If so, where would I buy bags that hold 11 X 14 paper? Thank you for your input.

Adam

 

[hrst]

One year is perfectly fine in room temperature. If your stock will last for many years, then it's best to use a refrigerator.

 

[chimneyfinder]

I agree with hrst, paper that is kept dry at or below your ambient temperature should easily last a year in a fresh condition: it is humidity that primarily causes detioriation. If you store in a fridge you have the inconvenience of letting it come to room temperature in use and a few visits of the same pack in and out of a fridge aswell as the general usage of a fridge that isn't dedicated to the task could possibly create trapped moisture. I'm not recommending the following, but I have paper that is many years old that is perfectly good, as it is stored at a cool room temperature (@60F.) in low humidity.
Mark Walker.

 

[tkamiya]

I wonder if sealing of retail packaged paper is sufficient. In case of Ilford paper, the inner black bag is simply folded over and the outside is either cardboard envelope or a box. It's not sealed like film. In case of Freestyle paper I have here, the inside is folded over and taped at one place only.

I'm interested in this as well as I have a stash that can last me perhaps 2 to 3 years.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

A year in cool dry is fine.

Do not buy more than a year at a time as the shelf like of all newer paper is 2/3 years including time spent at the store and before being shipped to the store. Chemicals are added so it need not be aged before sale so as to increase profit. Downside is shelf life is gone and even freezing will not significantly increase it.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I have some Oreintal Seagull 8x10 RC VC II that is fine at room temperature one year and counting.

 

[adam hirsch]

Thank you for all of your replies. I guess the only issue I'm still uncertain of is if i do store paper in the refrigerator, what is the best way to keep moisture out? The black bag does not seem moisture proof, as it's not totally sealed. Thanks,


Adam

 

[Roger Thoms]

Hey with the price of paper and the fact that even though I think I'll use it in less than a year doesn't mean I will. I store everything in either the fridge or freezer. Everything goes into ziplock bags. A friend lost a good supply of 7x17 film when the condensate drain got plugged and flooded the fridge.

The only paper that doesn't go in the fridge/freezer is the few boxes that I'm currently working out of.

Roger

 

[adam hirsch]

...but, where do you find ziplock bags for 11X14 paper?

 

[hrst]

If you use plastic bags meant for freezing food, you can make them sealed enough just by folding the edge a few times and taping it with a long piece of tape. Why not throw a few small bags of silica gel inside before doing that, also.

It's not like the air in the fridge contains more water. The relative humidity is of course higher as the temperature is lower, but it causes the condensation at the coldest spot in the fridge, and that is always the evaporator unit, and it has a condensation drain beneath it. So actually, because of this mechanism, the absolute moisture level is lower in your fridge than in your room. The real "danger" is that your paper package may touch the evaporator and then the condensation gets to your papers. This is also problem with freezers as the evaporator usually touches the materials from the bottom.

When you put your papers in a plastic bag, try to do it in as dry environment as possible in order not to trap water in. You see, when the temperature drops when you put the papers in the fridge, if you have too much water in the air inside your package, it may condensate there. This is why I'd recommend those packages of silica gel. Check for ebay, they are cheaply available. This may be really needed only in a tropical environment however, but better safe than sorry...

 

[MattKing]

If you are storing paper anywhere, be cautious about standing it on it's edge. Unless it is held tight, it can slide down a bit, and acquire an unfortunate curl near one edge.

 

[Wayne]

I have ziplock bags on my frozen 11x14 paper. I don't remember where I got them cuz they've been in there for many years but the grocery store is a pretty safe bet.

 

[Roger Thoms]

http://www.uline.com/Grp_5/Poly-Bags-Reclosable

Look like four choices of thickness and the 6 mil goes up to 26"x26".

Roger

 

[adam h]

http://www.uline.com/Grp_5/Poly-Bags-Reclosable

Look like four choices of thickness and the 6 mil goes up to 26"x26".

Roger

Thank you. This is helpful.


Adam