How should I store my photographs and/or negatives?

What kind of photograph album should I use?

Polyethylene or polypropylene photo sleeves that fit into ring binders offer an easy solution. If using an album with paper pages, secure photographs to the album page with photo corners. For other storage ideas and additional information, including how to store negatives and slides, see Care of Photographs (Northeast Document Conservation Center). Avoid self-stick tape, also known as "pressure-sensitive" tape, as it can be extremely difficult to remove and often creates condition problems over time. 

Store the album in a preservation-quality box (Northeast Document Conservation Center) in good environmental conditions.

All products for storing photographs should pass the photographic activity test (PAT) (ISO 18916).

Read more about caring for family photographs from the U.S. National Archives.

Last Updated: Mar 02, 2021
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