Display Photos Safely

Most of us like to share our pictures. We use them to decorate our home and office, or put them in photo albums and scrapbooks to make them easy to show. But we should be careful. 

Photo Framing

A proper frame secures a photo in a mechanically and chemically stable environment. The way a photo is framed and the materials used will have considerable impact on its lifespan. Whenever possible, only use materials intended for print framing and display.

• Glass provides protection against handling and atmospheric pollutants. Transparent acrylic (Plexiglas ® , Lucite ® , Perspex® , or Lexan® ) is lighter and less fragile, but scratches easily, attracts dust and may discolor with age. Both glass and plastic can also provide UV filtering.
• Do not mount photos in direct contact with the glass in a frame, use a good quality acid-free or rag mat board to allow an air space between the print and the glass, and an acid-free backboard.
• The main reason that pictures buckle after framing is that image, mat and mount board all expand and contract at different rates with temperature changes. So it is important to allow the print to expand and contract freely behind the mat. The two main ways to achieve this are mounting with mylar or polypropylene photo corners or hinging it at couple of points along the top edge using hinging tape or tissue. 
• Do not use cellophane tape, masking tape or rubber cement to position the print as these contain chemicals that will damage the print.
• Sealing the back of the frame using a strong Kraft paper prevents entry of dust and dirt.

For more information on framing techniques and materials, see Resources for a list of reference materials.

Display Carefully

• Direct exposure to sunlight can cause fading in just a few years. Protect images subjected to sunlight using glass or plexiglas with UV filtering (UV3) or hang a digital copy and store the original.
• Plexiglas and acrylic are sensitive to scratching. Do not use window cleaning sprays, scouring compounds, solvents such as acetone, and dry or gritty cloths to clean the surface. Soft damp cleaning cloths such as 3M Scotch-Brite High Performance Cleaning Cloth should be used with light pressure and clean water. Dry or dust with a soft damp cloth or chamois.

Photo Albums

• Low-cost picture albums, even some sold as "archival", contain acids, adhesives, rubber and other materials that will harm your photos. Purchase only from reputable sources.
• Select an album with a hinge that allows the book to comfortably expand. "D" or "O" type three-ring, poly post, multi-ring, and strap bindings allow for expansion.
• Paper pages should be archival, acid-free, 80 lb weight or better. Attach photographs using archival photo corners such as Mylar mounting corners. Avoid tape since it will cause yellowing and adhesive may "ooze" and cause items and pages to stick together.
• Purchase plastic page protectors made by a recognized archival products company only. Archival plastics include DuPont Mylar™ polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Many "PVC-free" plastics are not archival.