Storing Prints

Scott Micciche · Sep 27, 2017

I've made some searches here, but I've not come across this question specifically so I would like to ask it again.

I have started making some 8x10 prints in anticipation of matting and framing for gifts this holiday season.

What is the best way to store these until I actually frame them up?

I've thought of manilla envelopes with tissue paper, manilla folders with some tissue.

Is there a better method so they aren't damaged? They will be kept in a file cabinet until ready.

Thanks for any information.

MattKing · Sep 27, 2017

In a small plastic bin, under the bed!
If you want to interleave them with good quality paper, go ahead.

adelorenzo · Sep 27, 2017

I use empty Ilford paper boxes

Saganich · Sep 27, 2017

They just need protection from dirt, dust, wetness, excessive UV...plastic bin under the bed sounds about right.

winger · Sep 27, 2017

I store my unmatted prints in these - https://www.archivalmethods.com/product/drop-front-boxes-3-inch. And actually my matted ones, too. The majority of my prints don't end up matted. I know I need to go through my boxes and toss the bad versions, but it's not the most pressing project I should do so it keeps dropping to the bottom of the list.

Sirius Glass · Sep 27, 2017

I separate prints with tissue paper and I store prints in:

empty Ilford paper boxes
plastic boxes
cardboard boxes
art portfolios

cornflower2 · Sep 27, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I separate prints with tissue paper and I store prints in:

empty Ilford paper boxes
plastic boxes
cardboard boxes
art portfolios

Scott Micciche said:
I've made some searches here, but I've not come across this question specifically so I would like to ask it again.

I have started making some 8x10 prints in anticipation of matting and framing for gifts this holiday season.

What is the best way to store these until I actually frame them up?

I've thought of manilla envelopes with tissue paper, manilla folders with some tissue.

Is there a better method so they aren't damaged? They will be kept in a file cabinet until ready.

Thanks for any information.

I think for short-term storage, eg a few weeks or a month or two, there’s nothing much to worry about and you could keep them in any bag, box or envelope, but for longer term storage the big danger is moisture and condensation which will cause RC prints to buckle and will develop mildew/mold on the emulsion side of FB prints thus wrecking them. For this reason never store prints next to or near wall or floor surfaces, but try to store them well within the room interior at about mid height.

Scott Micciche · Sep 27, 2017

Excellent suggestions! I appreciate all the responses and will look for a plastic container. I live in a very dry environment so concerns about moisture should be minimum.

Jim Jones · Sep 27, 2017

Hundreds of RC prints stored in the original paper boxes are still in good condition after 40+ years.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 28, 2017

Scott Micciche said:
I've made some searches here, but I've not come across this question specifically so I would like to ask it again.

I have started making some 8x10 prints in anticipation of matting and framing for gifts this holiday season.

What is the best way to store these until I actually frame them up?

I've thought of manilla envelopes with tissue paper, manilla folders with some tissue.

Is there a better method so they aren't damaged? They will be kept in a file cabinet until ready.

Thanks for any information.

together in an archival box; manila folders are not acid-free.

Doremus Scudder · Sep 28, 2017

I store unmounted prints in old paper boxes with a sheet of cotton rag interleaving on the bottom and top. Mounted prints go into the proper size acid-free storage boxes.

Best,

Doremus

etn · Oct 3, 2017

adelorenzo said:
I use empty Ilford paper boxes

Just for the sake of argument, Adox or Foma boxes work quite well for this too

Sirius Glass · Oct 3, 2017

No! No! No! Kodak paper must be stored in Kodak boxes. Ilford must be stored in Ilford boxes. Adox must be stored in Adox boxes. Foma must be stored in Foma boxes. Get it right or the papers get confused!

M Carter · Oct 3, 2017

I found a big under-bed sweater storage box that functions as more of a "drawer" unit - instead of a lid, you pull a plastic box out of a plastic box, essentially. I just stack prints in it when I'm done with an "edition". Every few months I set up the mounting and spotting gear, and go through them with a fresh eye, choose what will get matted and order the mattes, get the spotting done, and mount and bag them in poly bags. Should be doing a holiday run in November if I can get more printing finished. It works well for me, and there are older prints in there that are OK, and are there if someone is over and wants a print. I don't interleave paper or worry about archival stability, they won't be in there for years or anything.

BTW, I contacted Freestyle last spring about gift boxes for standard print sizes - like a presentation-style box that's deep enough for one print and covered in nice paper, vs. an inch-deep retail photo paper box. They replied immediately with links of potential boxes from wholesalers, we settled on a style, and said they'd be available by fall. How cool is that?

etn · Oct 3, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
No! No! No! Kodak paper must be stored in Kodak boxes. Ilford must be stored in Ilford boxes. Adox must be stored in Adox boxes. Foma must be stored in Foma boxes. Get it right or the papers get confused!

ROFL

What about printing Tri-X on Adox paper? Is that allowed?

Bob Carnie · Oct 3, 2017

I Presentation matt all finished prints, 4ply window rag, 2ply backing with corners , then put in a sleeve for protection.

Cloudy 8 · Oct 3, 2017

Photo paper boxes sound like a good idea for storage, but they might not be archival-quality.

Adox used to sell their empty photo paper cartons separately; Google's cache still has some information.
In the product description they note that the cartons are made of bookbinding cardboard that is not acid-free.
Therefore they recommend storing prints inside the box in the black plastic bag the photo paper came in.
I wouldn't be surprised if the same is true for other manufacturers.

Hilo · Oct 4, 2017

I have stored fiber prints in photo paper boxes for more than thirty years. And always have used acid free cartons at the bottom and the top, that seemed the right thing to do . . . everything is still fine.

Are people aware you can buy empty boxes from Ilford? Last year I moved workspace and bought lots. Some sizes came fast, others took a while.

chdorner · Oct 4, 2017

MattKing said:
If you want to interleave them with good quality paper, go ahead.

Just make sure that the paper is acid-free then that should be okay.

Sirius Glass · Oct 4, 2017

Hilo said:
I have stored fiber prints in photo paper boxes for more than thirty years. And always have used acid free cartons at the bottom and the top, that seemed the right thing to do . . . everything is still fine.

Are people aware you can buy empty boxes from Ilford? Last year I moved workspace and bought lots. Some sizes came fast, others took a while.

But those boxes are only good for black & white prints, not color prints.

Storing Prints

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