These articles sponsored by Old Town.®
Old Town® produces a broad range of
superior photo albums, scrapbooks and
photo storage accessories. The photo pages
are acid-, PVC- and lignin-free and are
encased in high-quality, handcrafted covers
using attractive features and finishes.
Italian-style capped binding is a standard.
Old Town®—dedicated to preserving a
lifetime of memories.
Preserving your
photos the right way
WHEN YOU TAKE THE TIME to frame pictures in today’s digital age, it is
important to ensure that the frame will protect your memories for a lifetime.
Whether it is a family gathering, a summer trip, fast-growing children or just
everyday experiences, once you’ve chosen the right pictures, you can take
some simple steps to keep them safe now and in the future.
Contrary to popular thought, special skills and professional assistance are
not necessary to frame and preserve photos. Ready-made photo frames that
satisfy certain basic requirements are good selections for safely displaying
photos. It just takes a few steps to ensure that you frame them with the proper
materials. Here’s a primer.
Use acid-free and lignin-free face papers
Acid can cause your pictures to deteriorate at a faster rate. Lignin is a
natural component of wood that can lead to yellowing. If the face paper is not
acid- and lignin-free, it will shorten the display life of your photo.
Use conservation-quality mats
These mats are acid-free, lignin-free and buffered. They are made with
fine-quality pigments to provide optimum colorfastness and fade resistance.
Conservation-quality mats are normally twice as expensive as regular mats,
but well worth the investment.
Fasten your print to the mat and face paper
Turn the face paper over and mount the unprinted side to your photo.
This will protect your photo from contaminants. Then mount your picture
to the back of the mat or the barrier sheet. Double-sided, nontoxic, acid-free
mounting tape that has passed the Photographic Activity Test (PAT) is the
best choice. (The PAT is designed to predict whether there will be harmful
chemical reactions between products and photographs.)
Hang the picture out of direct sunlight
Sunlight causes photos to age at a more rapid rate. Today’s picture inks
can last 80 to 100 years if stored correctly, away from direct outdoor light and
high temperatures.
Following these simple framing steps will help to preserve them in an
enclosed environment and away from moisture and degrading materials. This
greatly increases the life of your photos and keeps your memories secure for
future generations to enjoy. A
