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Frame family photographs without damaging the original: six steps

Use a suitable mat to keep photos off glazing, display a copy when possible, and limit light and humidity damage.

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Wikimedia Commons · Lee Haywood / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 2.0 · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗

The Library of Congress warns that long-term display can cause irreversible light damage even with UV-filtering glazing. For a valuable original, preserve the original in safe storage and frame a good reproduction; the cover photo is illustrative, not an archival-certified frame.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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1. First decide whether the photograph is a replaceable print or a unique original. Consider displaying a high-quality copy of irreplaceable or historically valuable photos.
2. Choose mat and backing materials that have passed the Photographic Activity Test (PAT, ISO 18916); an 'acid-free' label alone does not establish suitability for every photographic process.
3. Use a window mat or appropriate spacers so the image surface never touches the glass or acrylic glazing, where moisture could cause sticking.
4. Avoid ordinary tape or double-sided adhesive directly on the photograph. Prefer non-adhesive photo corners or conservator-recommended mounting.
5. Hang away from strong light, direct sun, radiators, damp windows and exterior walls prone to temperature or humidity swings.
6. Check for condensation, mold or fading. Have fragile, valuable or historic originals assessed by a trained conservator rather than opening and repairing them yourself.

Library of Congress — Ask a LibrarianHow can I safely frame my photographs? ↗Official preservation FAQ last updated 2025-03-04: PAT ISO 18916 contact materials, use mat/spacers to prevent glass contact, UV glass cannot prevent all light damage, frame a copy.Library of CongressPreservation Guidelines for Matting and Framing ↗Primary care guidelines: photo corners and no adhesive on original, PAT-compliant materials, mat/glazing separation, hanging away from sun, heat and humidity.Wikimedia CommonsFile:Picture frame (5295865417).jpg ↗File-specific attribution: Lee Haywood; Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0; photograph is ordinary framed wall display.Wikimedia CommonsReusing content outside Wikimedia — Hotlinking ↗Site-wide hotlink permission, separately conditioned on the file's Creative Commons license.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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