We recommend using Print File negative sleeves for storing negatives. They offer a wide variety of formats for arranging your negatives and are all made of the highest quality archival materials.

Not all plastic sleeves are archival. Plastic enclosures of archival quality should be made of polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene. They should not be coated or contain plasticizers or other additives. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) enclosures are unacceptable for archival photographic storage because they are not chemically stable and will cause deterioration of a negative or photograph over time.

A major advantage of plastic sleeves is that they allow an image to be viewed without removing it from the enclosure, reducing the chance of abrading, scratching, or fingerprinting the negative.

Some people prefer paper sleeves to hold there negatives. Paper enclosures are porous, and protect images from the accumulation of moisture and detrimental gases. They are also opaque and will protect the images from light. However, opaque enclosures cause individuals to handle their images more because they need to remove them from the sleeve to view them. If you prefer paper enclosures, we recommend marking them clearly and placing a reference print or contact sheet with the negative.

Glassine is not recommended for storing negatives because it is acidic and contains a plasticizer, glycerine. Kraft paper is also acidic.

Negatives should be protected from dust, dirt, fingerprints and acid.

Use cotton gloves or handle negatives by the edges to prevent fingerprints. The oils left by your fingers can eventually cause deterioration of the negative.

Do not store photographic materials in direct contact with any of the following items, they can all cause acidic damage; wood, newspaper, cardboard, adhesive tapes, paper clips and rubber bands.

Many factors can affect the life of your negatives and prints; humidity, heat, light and air pollution should be your main concerns. We recommend a storage area be a well ventilated, cool, dry place with indirect lighting.

Relative humidity is the most important factor in preserving negatives and photographs. High humidity speeds up the detrimental chemical reactions that can lead to fading and mold growth (sometimes called flocking) on both negatives and prints. It is recommend to keep the relative humidity in the range of 25% to 40%, the lower the better.

Extremes of temperature should also be avoided. It is recommended to store negatives and prints at approximately 75°F (24°C) or lower.

Direct sunlight is the most harmful light source. If you will be displaying prints in sunlight, expect that this can cause yellowing and fading. Make sure your negatives are stored properly so replacement prints, if needed, can be made in the future.

Avoid storing prints in cardboard boxes. Use archivally safe boxes or envelopes. Buffered paper should be used for B&W film, non buffered for colored materials. Archival Methods is a company that offers a wide variety of safe storage materials.

Albums are another concern you need to consider. Most of us know that the peel up magnetic page albums that are available in most drugstores can be very harmful. The plastic pages, in most cases, are not archival and can damage prints. When buying an album, you need to check to make sure that the pages are all made of acid free materials, as well as the front and back cover. Exposures is a company that offers a wide variety of quality albums and scrap booking materials.

Make sure to use archival materials when you place your prints on the pages. Do not use regular masking tape, there are acid free tapes available. We recommend mounting corners or hinges. You can also use photo spray mount adhesive, but remember this method is permanent.

The best place to store albums is on open bookshelves. Drawers can contain fumes from mothballs, mildew inhibitors, wood preservatives, paint, varnishes and wood glues all of which can contaminate photographic materials.