Proper preservation and storage are essential for protecting treasured photo albums from deterioration over time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of preserving a photo album, replacing deteriorating materials, and storing it safely in an archival clamshell box. Follow along with our video guide for a detailed demonstration.
Materials You’ll Need
To get started, gather the following materials:
Archival clamshell storage box (custom-sized or standard dimensions)
Clean hands or cotton gloves (optional)
Step 1: Assess the Album’s Condition
Before beginning any preservation work, carefully examine the condition of the album:
Check for yellowing adhesive: Adhesives on older album pages often become brittle and discolored, potentially harming the photos.
Inspect for residue: Ensure that the adhesive hasn’t left a sticky residue on the back of the photos.
These signs indicate that the album needs to be updated to protect its contents.
Step 2: Remove Photos from Old Pages
Clean your hands thoroughly to prevent oils from transferring to the photos. Cotton gloves are also a great option.
Gently peel back the plastic covering on each page to access the photos.
Carefully lift the photos off the adhesive. In this case, the adhesive was so brittle that it left no residue, making removal simple.
Remove the old, yellowed album sheets from the binder one by one.
Step 3: Transfer Photos to Archival Sheets
Use polypropylene photo storage pages, which are adhesive-free and archival-quality. These pages prevent further degradation and safely store the photos.
Insert the photos carefully into the storage sheets, placing them front and back as needed.
Avoid pressing or touching the glossy photo surfaces to prevent smudges or scratches.
Once all the photos are transferred, return the new storage pages to the album.
Step 4: Protect the Album’s Contents
Older albums may have acidic materials, such as yellowed paste-downs, that can harm photos over time. The new polypropylene pages will:
Create a barrier between the photos and the album’s acidic components.
Stabilize the photos, protecting them from future damage.
Step 5: Store the Album in a Clamshell Box
Storing the album in an archival clamshell box ensures its long-term preservation.
Choose the right clamshell box:
Custom-size the box to fit the album with a bit of extra space for padding.
This prevents delicate elements, like lace or decals, from being crushed.
Line the box with buffered tissue paper:
Roll tissue paper into loose, crumpled sections and line the bottom of the box.
Insert the album carefully:
Lay the album onto the tissue, allowing the lace to rest on the padding.
Roll additional strips of tissue to cushion the sides of the lace.
Add a protective top layer:
Place a folded sheet of tissue over the album’s cover to protect decals or any embedded photos.
Ready for Long-Term Preservation
With the photos safely transferred and the album stored in a clamshell box, it’s ready for years of secure preservation. The box also makes it easy to bring the album out for the occasional viewing without risking damage.
Preserving family memories and cherished photo albums doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right materials and careful handling, you can safeguard these items for future generations.
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