Archival Storage for Negatives
- For ease of visibility and organization, one option is to preserve your negatives by placing them in archival quality negative preservers. These are 8.5-inch-by-11-inch acid-free sheets that are divided into sleeves, perfectly sized for negatives. Simply slide the negatives into the sleeve and stick the sheet into a binder. Be sure to wear lint-free gloves when handling negatives to avoid an accidental fingerprint.
- Professionals often use glassine envelopes as negative storage devices. These are preferable because they come in a wide range of sizes, making them ideal for those who have shot in a variety of formats. They are also easy to organize because they are translucent. They are a high-quality archival storage system, are made from non-plasticized paper and are acid-free and pH negative. Glassine envelopes may be a bit more costly in your preservation efforts but are definitely worth it.
- If you are looking to safely store uncut rolls of negatives, there are special plastic sleeves available at photo archive stores precisely for this format. These sleeves allow you to continuously feed the roll of negatives inside, cut and then roll back up again for storage. For extra protection, store the rolls in sturdy boxes with reinforced corners.
- Sharing photos is always rewarding.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Uploading your images, using an online photo storage site, is a foolproof way to archive your treasured pictures. A virtual safe deposit box for memories, these sites keep you from worrying about damage from dust, fingerprints, water, rodents or fire. There are many affordable sites to choose from, and you can easily view and share your photos, adding captions and other details.
