How To Care For Prints And Photo Books

Once you get your hands on your photo books and prints, you should make sure that they last beyond your lifetime. Here are some tips from the labs that I use for prints and books:

How to take care of your museum grade prints

Keep the prints out of sunlight. UV light will make your print fade or yellow faster.

Avoid heat and humidity. Besides UV light, heat and humidity can also determine the life-span of a print. Cooler temperatures slow down the aging process, whereas hotter temperatures speed it up. Avoid attics and damp basements.

Mat before framing your photographs. This protects the print by keeping it from touching the glass. Humidity can make the print stick to the glass, which may tear the photograph when you try to remove it from the frame. UV blocking glass or acrylic is best for the frame.

Avoid storing your photos in acidic materials. Acids and environmental pollutants will cause your prints to yellow over time and lose their original color. To slow the process down, store in acid free containers – wood is naturally acidic!

If storing in a box, place sheets of vellum between prints to help prevent scuffing.

How to take care of your photo books and albums

The above tips about light, humidity, and temperature apply to your photo books as well.If the pages of your layflat book are warping, it may mean that the book has to get used to the humidity and temperature in your home. The album company suggests having your book on a level surface, and adding weights on top for a few days to let it settle. (I suggest having another book etc in between your photo book and the weights so that the weight is distributed more evenly.)To remove fingerprints and dirt, use a soft cloth. Avoid soaps and water since these can cause damage to your book.Would you like to read about why I think offering only digital photos is a disservice to my clients?