Preserving photos in picture frames - question
Mike S.
photo albums had chemicals that could degrade photos. The article said
you should look for PVC/acid-free protective sleeves.
Does the same type of thing apply to the glass on picture frames? I
was wondering if they had something on them that could damage photos
or documents (like a diploma). Should they be washed first with
something special before using them?
I have a photo and a certificate that I'd like to put in a picture
frame. I'd like it to last 70 years (or until I die), so I want to
make sure I don't use something that will cause it to degrade.
Photo Critic
"Mike S." <littleb...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176868577....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
You probably need to look for a special glass with UV inhibitors built in.
Most reliable picture framers will have it. Everything else you use should
be acid free, including the adhesive you to mount the documents.
I do a lot of framing and one thing I've learnt is to use every possible
means to isolate the documents from the atmosphere. This includes a tiny
'gasket' between the glass and the frame itself and sealing the back of the
finished job with framers tape. Oh, and don't forget to use stainless steel
pins to hold the work to the frame.
If you use the UV glass and pay attention to sealing the finished job, never
display it in direct sunlight or under sodium lights, there is every reason
to expect it to outlast you and your children too.
Julian
William Graham
"Mike S." <littleb...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176868577....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
Glass doesn't outgas much of anything at all...The best thing you can do is
frame your picture in clean glass that's made for that purpose....UV
blocking glass.... And then hang it somewhere that doesn't get any direct
sunlight. Another thing you could do is print two copies, and frame them
both....One behind the other. Then, x number of years down the road, if one
fades too much, there is another behind it to use as a back up.......
Ken Hart
"Mike S." <littleb...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176868577....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
another matter. Of course that doesn't enter into the picture (sorry) with
an unpainted metal frame. One thing to be careful of is that the "artwork"
shouldn't contact the glass. Over time, moisture may cause it to adhere to
the glass. Mount the artwork with a mat to keep it away from the glass.
How long the artwork will last is also determined by the product itself. If
the certificate is printed on a cheap paper, there ain't nothin' you can do
to make it last longer. As for the photo, Kodak Endura professional color
paper is rated for 100 years in the light, 200 years in the dark. OTOH, if
the photo is printed on some no-name cheap paper and badly processed, all
bets are off. (I once had a trouble with the bleach-fix replenisher pump on
my processor. The blix got weak, and photos processed in it turned out to
have a life of about a week in light.That was a very expensive problem!)
Check out the company Light Impressions. They sell a lot of products for
archival storage of srtwork. Also check out the Kodak website and the
Smithsonian Museum website.
jeremy
news:1176868577....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
> was wondering if they had something on them that could damage photos
> or documents (like a diploma). Should they be washed first with
> something special before using them?
>
Use a mat. The mat allows the photo or document to be kept from touching
the glass. There are special archival mats that use non-acidic paper and
have special hinges that hold the item to the mat (as would Scotch Tape)
without danger of damaging the item. Light Impressions is a good source for
these materials.
William Graham
"j. fabian" <fabian@don't.panix.com> wrote in message
news:fabian-0041E7....@reader2.panix.com...
> In article <To6dnQutaZtbArjb...@comcast.com>,
> "William Graham" <we...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Glass doesn't outgas much of anything at all...The best thing you can do
>> is
>> frame your picture in clean glass that's made for that purpose....UV
>> blocking glass.... And then hang it somewhere that doesn't get any direct
>> sunlight. Another thing you could do is print two copies, and frame them
>> both....One behind the other. Then, x number of years down the road, if
>> one
>> fades too much, there is another behind it to use as a back up.......
>
> occur. Never frame a photo so that any part of the emulsion ever touches
> the glass -- you could end up with a nice emulsion transfer. IMHO most
> commercial framers don't know squat about framing photos. Make sure if
> you do use someone that they have a lot of experience with photos.
>
> Light Impressions sells acid-free pre-cut mattes and metal frames and
> anti-UV glass if you want to try it yourself. Also if you are near a
> Pearl Paint you can get the metal frame pieces at very reasonable prices.
Yes....I always use a mat before I frame anything.....It not only keeps the
photo from touching the glass, but it looks a lot better.....It also allows
you to use a frame that doesn't have the same width to length ratio as the
picture you are framing.....
Nicholas O. Lindan
> I have a photo and a certificate that I'd like to put in a picture
> frame. I'd like it to last 70 years ... so I want to
> make sure I don't use something that will cause it to degrade.
More information would be helpful:
What sort of photograph: Chromogenic color print; Ink-Jet print;
B&W RC print; B&W FB print?
Who processed the photo and to what 'archival' standards? If ink-jet
what inks and paper were used?
And the certificate: Offset printing; Xeroxed; Ink-Jet; Impact; Hand
lettered? The paper: Vellum; Rag; Woodpulp; Buffered; Sized?
In general the advice is to use 'Museum' board for the mount and mat,
cover with glass of any sort, back with pH neutral corrugated board,
tape frame shut in back, no spring clips, hang out of the sun. Wood
lasts longer than anodized aluminum. I believe in dry-mounting,
others do not.
> ... 70 years (or until I die)
Never tempt the Gods, your photo may only have to last a few
days to fulfill your wish.
--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Darkroom Automation: F-Stop Timers, Enlarging Meters
http://www.darkroomautomation.com/index.htm
n o lindan at ix dot netcom dot com
TheDave©
> Yes....I always use a mat before I frame anything.....It not only
> keeps the photo from touching the glass, but it looks a lot
> better.....It also allows you to use a frame that doesn't have the
> same width to length ratio as the picture you are framing.....
I do the same thing for all the reasons you mention, but I do have a
few unmatted only because the overall collection looks to redundant if
everything is matted. Doing a couple different helps break things up a
bit.
Mark˛
Glass isn't much more than really clean sand...melted into a nice smooth
chunk.
It isn't going to damage your images unless it fails to protect from UV
light, or has some sort of cleaning goo on it...or doesn't fully encase your
image.
--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson
helensi...@hotmail.com
I have framed quite a few acid-free black and white prints. I used
100% acid-free mat board, If you need to use a bit of tape or glue to
mount the photo or paper to the mat, it must be acid-free. Regular
Scotch tape yellows over time and it leaves a stain on your work. I
found this website that answers some questions you may have.
http://www.framingsupplies.com/MatBoardFoamBoard/WhatMatBoard.htm
Helen
helensi...@hotmail.com
BTW: I forgot to mention, anything, whether it be a photo, paper or
any artwork should never touch the glass. Even if the glass has been
UV treated, it still should never touch the glass.
Good luck,
Helen