The Photo Print...
The old dog learns new tricks

Here are some of the more interesting changes:

• Basic storage & storage devices

• Archival storage for maximum longevity

• On-line ordering and delivery without ever leaving your home

• Printing "store quality" photographs at home

Tips On Basic Storage & Storage Devices

Issue #1 - WHAT To Keep Your Photo Prints In

• Throw them in a big carton or shoe box. If you don't care how long they stay in good condition, and you believe scratches and bent corners are a sign of "character," then this approach is the one for you.

  Buy some inexpensive "Photo Boxes" and envelopes that will fit within the Photo Box and still hold 4x6 photo prints.

  You can catalogue them by using the cardboard dividers that come with the Photo Boxes, and by labeling the envelopes.

  (Photo Boxes are roughly the size of shoe boxes, and are available at camera stores, discount stores, Target, Walmart... almost everywhere; for approximately $2-$5/box.)

• The preferred method of storage is the photo album.

  However, there are a myriad of photo album types out there (myriad means "a whole big bunch;" It's so seldom I get a chance to use it in a sentence, I just had to, here).

  The 2 key factors to consider when searching for photo albums are: MATERIALS and PRESSURE

• I hope you're sitting down for Materials. There is probably going to be more here than you were expecting (or wanted).

  Generally speaking, the cheaper the album and page inserts, the more likely and quickly your pictures will get damaged (we're talking months and years though, not days).

  • There are 2 types of photo albums manufactured. According to the Association of Photo Album Manufacturers, the Traditional Line is technically known as the "Stick the photo print in the plastic sleeve, and you're done" type.

    And the Formal Line is known as the "I REALLY VALUE my photos, so I'm mounting each one separately using album pages, photo corners, and other means of page protection" type.

    I'm not judging one as being better than the other, mind you. I just want you to know your options.

  • For the "stick the photo print in the plastic sleeve" line, look for albums whose plastic sleeves don't contain PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride). Eventually, PVC will turn your photos yellow.

  • Also, don't use the model where the photo print is placed on a page that is covered by an attached piece of plastic or acetate that holds the photo in place "magically."

    If it does hold it, it will eventually stick, and when you lift up the plastic to remove the photo, you'll likely wind up taking Uncle Bob's face with it.

  • For the "I REALLY VALUE my photos..." type, since you're going through all that trouble anyway, you might as well use archival quality products.

    Bottom line, whatever you use, make sure it's archival quality. This can include: album pages, page protectors, marking pens (for the back of the photo or on the album page near the photo print), photo corners, and glue/adhesive.

• Pressure is much simpler. The supreme rule is... AVOID IT (not a bad rule for photo prints or life). When using albums, stack them vertically on their edges, so pressure is never applied to the pages.

  Don't horizontally stack them on each other or put anything else on top of them. Do not use tape, rubber bands, string, or bungee cords to wrap the albums in an attempt to keep them closed.

  • This will negate all benefits derived from stacking them vertically. And, if you have an album that uses a strap to close it, don't use the strap. If you don't know why, re-read this section!

• Don't keep your photos in a basement or attic.

• Humidity, moisture, bright light, heat, and extreme cold are very bad for photographs. And, as an added danger, if they are in the basement, what happens if it floods?

• Do store them in as comfortably cool, dry, and dark location as you can. Do I need to mention that they should not be close to your dog's favorite chew toy?

• If you have any truly priceless family-heirloom photo prints, consider storing them at an off-site location designed for controlled temperature and humidity, in a bank vault (if it meets the selection criteria), or in a fireproof box.

  However, be aware that most fireproof boxes only guarantee the inside temperature not rising above the manufacturer's stated temperature for a specific time period, such as 60-90 minutes.

Step #1	Step #2	Step #3	Step #4	Step #5
Handling Overflow	Organizing Photos	Viewing Photos	Photo Prints	Online Printing
Step #6	Step #7	Step #8	Step #9	Step #10
Printing at Home	Preserving Your Prints	Storage	Sharing Photos	Additional Uses

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