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Preserving printed family photos: sleeves, albums and storage boxes

The Library of Congress and U.S. National Archives recommend suitable photo sleeves and acid-free storage, protection from light and damp, and gentle handling of fragile originals.

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Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Bertrand Labévue / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; original file unmodified. · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Simply placing photographs in an album does not guarantee preservation. Older self-adhesive 'magnetic' albums and tape can harm prints, while hot or damp conditions speed deterioration and sticking. Do not force apart fragile or adhered originals; seek a conservator's advice. The cover image illustrates a photo album rather than the user's family materials.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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1. Review important prints gently. Do not pull apart stuck or cracked photographs, and avoid rubbing the image surface with bare fingers.
2. Avoid direct-contact adhesive tape, old self-stick 'magnetic' albums, rubber bands and paper clips. Do not force prints free if they are already adhered.
3. Choose photo-safe sleeves or acid-free, lignin-free housing materials with a confirmed Photographic Activity Test (PAT) rating; suitable polyethylene or polypropylene sleeves may be used for ordinary stable prints.
4. Place prints in correctly sized acid-free boxes without bending them, and keep negatives separate where possible. Seek specialist advice for damaged or unusual film.
5. Store boxes on an indoor shelf in a cool, dry, stable place away from sunlight and leaks. Avoid damp basements and hot attics.
6. Label the enclosure rather than writing on the picture. Display scanned copies when practical and keep original prints protected from light.

Library of CongressHow do I preserve my photographs and negatives? ↗Original FAQ inspected: avoid magnetic/self-stick albums and adhesive tape, use acid-free boxes, proper photographic-quality polyethylene/polypropylene sleeves and PAT-compatible housing; negative/print separation and caveats for delicate negatives.U.S. National ArchivesHow to Preserve Family Archives (papers and photographs): Storing ↗Original guidance inspected: stable cool dry conditions, avoid hot attics/damp basements, keep away from leaks and floor, use correctly sized boxes without bending.U.S. National ArchivesHow to Preserve Family Archives (papers and photographs): Displaying ↗Official display guidance inspected: light exposure fades originals; show copies and keep originals boxed when practical.Library of CongressCare, Handling and Storage of Photographs ↗Official collection-care advice inspected: avoid touching image surfaces, stickers/tape/rubber bands/clips; label housing rather than originals; stable cool/dry environment and limited light.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

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