Archival Preservation

Archival preservation is about learning how to preserve from the beginning the different elements of your art as a scrapbooker. Both paper and photo preservation will be discussed along with some helpful tips on what and what not to do in different situations.

Whether speaking of photos or paper itself, deterioration is caused by things like humidity, sunlight, dirt, dust and fingerprints. In regard to photos, insufficient processing can cause photos to become discolored or fade in time. This is in part to using what some have called “fugitive mediums” which means, the material used results in a lack of permanency in a colored pigment or medium when exposed to air, light and similar situations. Watercolors in the art a child brings home, for instance, is an example of a fugitive medium. It is not made to last. If used, certain precautions must be taken to cause it to last as long as possible, including keeping it in the dark most of the time.

Store papers opened and flat, not folded, in archival-safe sheet protectors, or place a document between two pieces of blank archival-safe paper, which can then be replaced if acid migration occurs.

Place paper items in acid-free page protectors to prevent them from rubbing against each other and causing further deterioration.

Don't hang rare documents in direct sunlight as they will then quickly fade and deteriorate.

Don't use self-adhesive tapes or glue to repair torn paper or bookbindings. Over time it will only cause more damage to the paper. Acid-free adhesive tapes to use on the backs of photos to repair them are available in various stores, including Staples.com.

Don't laminate family heirlooms and unique documents. This will not prolong the life of the paper and cannot be undone.

Don't use staples, paper clips, or other metal objects with paper, as they will eventually rust.

Don't store documents or photos in attics or basements. Attics are usually humid and basements are damp. Store your documents in a cool, dry place.

Photos; A not too expensive option of preserving is to make photocopies of old photographs on acid-free paper. It is an economical way to make good quality copies of just the photos you want in your album.

Make first-rate copies of black and white photos on a color-copying machine by putting it on the black and white setting. Put the copy in your album while storing the original photo.

Use the Kodak Picture Maker systems available in many chain departments or discount stores to make copies and enlargements of photos without negatives. You can make duplicate photographs in different sizes from wallet to 8” x 10”, and many systems offer other features to enhance pictures as they are being made. You can also intensify the photo’s color if it has faded, zoom in, crop out unwanted background images and eliminate red-eye. Have your own program that can do these things? Just get the archival paper to print and your all set.

Warning: Regarding companies, such as Wal-Mart, who use Kodak Picture Maker systems, the staff is very diligent to make sure you are the owner of your pictures. This is particularly the case when you bring in professional photos. Professional photos (like my wedding pictures) usually come with negatives. If you do not have those negatives with you, it can be very difficult to get your copies made.

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