General Archival Tips

For Preserving Photographs and Documents

• Handle items carefully, by edges/margins only. If possible, use plain white cotton gloves to handle materials in order to avoid transferring finger oils to the materials themselves. Avoid excessive over-handling.

• Label items in pencil on the reverse, or in margins if necessary. Do not use ink, ballpoint pen, or markers. Do not write directly on photographs. If possible, carefully remove harmful items such as rubber bands, tape, post-it notes, paper clips and staples before preserving.

• Store items in archival sleeves, folders, and boxes—these should unbuffered, neutral pH storage products. Use shallow, flat boxes or upright, drop-front boxes—“Banker’s” boxes work best here. Avoid using buffered products, PVCs and cardboard. Do not laminate or wet/dry mount original materials.

• Organize materials according to size, format and content. Do not store items folded, leaning, or bent, and avoid compressing items or overfilling boxes.

• Store archived materials in a dark, cool, dry place. Avoid areas where temperature and humidity may fluctuate (i.e. attic or basement), or where items could be exposed to high levels of UV light.

• Make copies for long-term display, or archivally frame originals for display. Remember, when displaying items try to keep a consistent environment for your materials just as you would if they were preserved in an archive.

For additional information, please visit the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, online at http://aic.stanford.edu

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WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY / THE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER