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Preserve family photo prints in 6 steps: safer sleeves, no sticky albums

A practical way to sort and protect printed photographs without adhesive pages, tape or bending; choose photo-safe sleeves and a stable storage spot.

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Wikimedia Commons · Bertrand Labévue / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. Album Photos-(4).jpg. Original unchanged. · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ↗

Old prints are easily damaged by adhesive 'magnetic' albums, tape and rough handling. This six-step home guide draws on preservation guidance from the US National Archives and Library of Congress. Do not force apart stuck prints or flaking surfaces; seek a conservator.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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1. Sort prints by size and condition on a clean flat surface. Set aside torn, curled or possibly moldy items. Never pry apart photographs that have stuck together.
2. Keep your hands clean and dry and handle prints by the edges. Do not rub the image surface or wash it with water or cleaners. Support fragile prints from below with a rigid sheet.
3. Check everything touching the print. Choose acid-free, lignin-free archival paper and photo-safe sleeves made from uncoated polyester, polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). Look for evidence that the enclosure passes the Photographic Activity Test (PAT).
4. Avoid glue, ordinary adhesive tape, staples and rubber bands on photos. Skip self-adhesive 'magnetic' album pages. Use photo corners or suitable pocket sleeves and never overstuff the album.
5. Label the outer envelope, sleeve or box rather than writing on the photo. Use properly sized containers with enough room to avoid bending; lay damaged oversize prints flat with support.
6. Store in a cool, relatively dry, dark interior space away from leaks, attics, basements and heaters. The Library of Congress describes a stable 30–50% relative humidity as desirable for many photographic materials; in a home, avoiding condensation and sharp fluctuations is crucial.

U.S. National ArchivesHow to Preserve Family Archives (papers and photographs) ↗Checked storage conditions, handling, album formats, safe corners/sleeves and avoidance of sticky magnetic albums and tape.Library of CongressCare, Handling and Storage of Photographs ↗Checked stable cool dry storage, 30–50% RH target, handling and suitable archival materials; not a guarantee for all photo processes.Library of Congress Ask a LibrarianHow do I preserve my photographs and negatives? ↗Checked PAT, acid-free materials, acceptable plastic sleeve materials, album and adhesive warnings.Wikimedia CommonsAlbum Photos-(4).jpg — file description and CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Checked author Bertrand Labévue, photo subject and individual CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing.Wikimedia CommonsCommons: Reusing content outside Wikimedia / technical ↗Checked direct hotlink permission and reminder that individual attribution/license must still be met.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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