Why Archival Storage Matters

Museums preserve paintings and rare documents with care. Your family photos deserve the same respect. Archival storage helps reduce yellowing, brittleness, fading, and chemical damage so memories look their best for decades.

What Does “Archival” Mean?

In plain terms, an archival material won’t harm your photos over time. Look for:

• Acid-free / pH-neutral (typically pH ? 7.0) to minimize paper breakdown and discoloration.
• Lignin-free (lignin in wood pulp can produce acids as it ages).
• Photo-safe plastics for sleeves/pages: polypropylene, polyethylene, or PET (avoid PVC).
• Materials that are stable over time and designed specifically for photographic storage.

“Acid-free” alone isn’t enough—lignin-free and photo-safe construction are part of true archival quality.

Your Part: Store in a Proper Environment

• Keep it dry & cool: aim for about 70°F with stable, moderate humidity (?30–50%). Avoid attics, basements, and bathrooms.
• Avoid light exposure: prolonged sunlight and UV can fade photos—display with UV-filter glazing when possible.
• Handle carefully: clean, dry hands (or cotton gloves) and support prints from underneath.
• Separate materials: use interleaving sheets or photo sleeves to prevent sticking or abrasion.

SendAFrame’s Approach to Archival Quality

We curate clean, understated, and functional frames, albums, and accessories that let your photos be the hero. Our manufacturers certify their items as photo-safe, and we prioritize acid-free, lignin-free papers and photo-safe plastics across our archival collections.

• Frames & Albums: designed to present and protect—form and function, not distractions.
• Accessories: photo corners, tapes, sleeves, and protectors that meet archival standards.
• Fit matters: if your print has critical display measurements (e.g., thick mount board, full-bleed viewing), contact us and we’ll confirm viewable/opening sizes before you buy.

Archival Accessories Checklist

• Adhesives: photo-safe, acid-free; avoid household glues or standard tapes.
• Pages & Sleeves: polypropylene, polyethylene, or PET; avoid PVC.
• Paper Goods: acid-free, lignin-free mats, backing boards, and album pages.

Digital Printing & Backups

Desktop photo printing gives you size flexibility and creative crops. For longevity:

• Use quality inks & papers rated for photo permanence.
• Create multiple backups of your digital files (external drive + cloud), stored in separate locations.
• Reprint as needed and keep originals sleeved or in albums.

Digital copies are your ultimate safety net—make them, label them, and store them safely.

What Makes Artcare™ Different?

Unlike standard “acid-free” mats, Artcare™ boards are engineered to actively protect your art over time. A proprietary blend of zeolites and alkaline buffers inside the board’s core captures and neutralizes:

• Oxidizing gases (e.g., ozone, sulfur & nitrogen compounds) from the environment.
• Pre-acidic gases that can form acids as they age.
• Degradation by-products generated by certain papers, inks, or mounting materials.

Result: a preventative, conservation-grade barrier that helps keep prints and documents looking their best.

Archival Benefits at a Glance

• Preventative conservation: traps pollutants before they reach your artwork.
• Stability: acid-free, lignin-free construction designed for long-term display and storage.
• Versatile use: ideal for photographs, fine art prints, certificates, children’s art, and ephemera.

Where to Use Artcare™ Matboards

• Framed displays in homes, offices, schools, and galleries.
• Albums & keepsake shadowboxes where mixed materials may off-gas over time.
• High-value or sentimental items that deserve museum-minded care.