Negative and print storage against dust

[Andrey]

I've been shooting for a while and I'm using print file storage sleeves in files. And to protect from dust I use a bag. But it gets cumbersome and inconvenient.

The prints I conveniently store in paper boxes.

Is there a good standard way to store negatives in print files? I want at least one crush proof box to carry stuff to the darkroom and back. And a cheap solution for storing the bulk at home.

I found a store that has aluminum designed boxes for film with an italian name on them, but I'm not ready to shell out that much.

How do you organize it?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You can buy acid-free archival storage boxes in numerous dimensions from several sources.

 

[Andrey]

Could you give me some examples of your favourite ones? I was hoping to find something simple and good value for the money spent.

Or maybe even use common household boxes, but I can't immediately think of boxes of size I need.

Thanks

 

[MartinP]

Any office-stationery store will sell archival boxes for A4/Letter size paper, as well as other sizes. These fit most negative sleeve pages quite well and are pretty much a standard product in wide use. I have three different (European) brands, sold as flatpack and assembled with stainless bend-and-clip fittings, which are within a millimetre of each other in size to fit standard archive racking systems. They really are everyday products, thanks to the need to keep paper documents.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Have a look at http://www.archivalmethods.com, there's plenty to choose. I like using their hinged boxes with side-lock flap sleeves and yellow open-ended envelopes for 4x5 or white file folder envelopes for 6x6. Since I'm not sure what format you are looking for, here's an example for 6x6:

Negative File Folder 22-001 size 3-1/2 x 10-1/8
SideLock Sleeve polyester 31-102 size 2-1/4
Hinged Lid Box 02-003 size 10-1/4 x 5-1/2 x 4-1/2

you can add to this system as you need, including storage for contact sheets, prints, etc.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I prefer the PrintFile or BesFile storage binders. See here: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=storage+binder .

I like white, personally. These keep out dust well. The negatives are in sleeves inside the three-ring binders.

For prints, I use 3"-deep museum boxes of the appropriate size. I use one-ply acid-free rag interleaving between prints.

Best,

Doremus