Storing Printed Photos Safely
Where to keep prints, what to keep them in, and what to take out of the box.
Quick answer
Keep prints in a cool, dry living space rather than an attic, garage or damp basement, off the floor. The US National Archives suggests lignin-free, acid-free boxes and stable plastics such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene. Avoid magnetic albums, PVC, rubber bands and tape.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 1Move the box out of any attic, garage or damp basement and off the floor
- 2Take off rubber bands, paper clips and staples that are not stainless steel if they lift away without tearing or sticking
- 3Pencil names and dates lightly along the edge on the back of a few prints
What to say
- “Who is this? I would like to write it on the back before we forget.”
- “Could we frame a copy of this one and keep the original safe in a box?”
What to practice consistently
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands, or clean gloves, and support them when moving them
- Keep boxes filled enough to prevent shifting without overstuffing
- Rotate anything displayed, and keep light levels low
What to avoid
- Using magnetic or self-stick albums for new storage
- Using unknown plastics or PVC sleeves
- Displaying originals permanently in sunlight
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What parents say
We haven't published parent perspectives on this topic yet.
What this usually involves
- Choosing an interior spot away from pipes, windows and leaks
- Moving prints into archival boxes and enclosures
- Removing rubber bands, clips and non-stainless staples
- Labeling backs gently in pencil
- Displaying copies instead of originals
Related questions
A Library of Congress guide suggests 300 dpi for typical prints, and the US National Archives says to keep the originals afterward.
The Library of Congress advises upright storage in a cool, stable place, away from attics and basements.
The Library of Congress suggests at least two copies stored as far apart as practical.
Related articles on Parent.wiki
Digitizing Old Family Photos
A flatbed scanner at about 300 dpi covers ordinary prints, according to a Library of Congress guide, with higher settings for enlargements and slides. Handle originals gently and keep them afterward. Fragile or valuable pieces may be better left to a conservator.
Which Family Photos to Keep and Delete
Deleting is optional. Archival guidance focuses on choosing the photos that matter most and keeping the best version of each, and it leaves the amount up to you. Marking favorites first, then removing only near-identical shots, is one lower-stakes way to begin.
Backing Up Family Photos So You Don't Lose Them
Archives advise more than one copy, on different kinds of storage, kept in different places. The US National Archives describes three copies on two media with one off-site, and the Library of Congress sets a minimum of two. A synced photo library helps, but a deletion on one device can reach the others.
Organizing Thousands of Family Photos
Sorting every photo is not required. The Library of Congress suggests finding where your photos live, choosing the ones that matter most, and giving only that selection names, tags and a simple structure. Phone tools for naming people and finding duplicates can do some of the work.
Worth remembering?
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