How to store your printed photos?

Printed photos pose the problem of storage and that is why people prefer to have only digital copies of all their photos. Gone are the days when all photos would be printed and arranged in an album.

Means of storing photos have gone a huge change and now they are kept safe in a computer or an online storage site. But getting prints made is not a bad idea, as it could be a safe way of making an extra backup.

Once you have organized your photos according to person, date, month, year or event, it is time to pay attention on how to store them so that they last long.

1. You must use specially made photo boxes to create a filing system. You can transfer prints to less bulky acid-free envelopes, which can be stacked in those boxes.

2. Clearly label each envelope with dates and any other identifying description – like Family trip to California or Christmas 2011. Then separate the envelopes into specific categories.

3. Properly label tabbed dividers to further organize into subcategories, like by year or family member. So you can have three boxes for your three kids, Sam, Lily and Martha, and then have sub-categorized envelops in it, like Sam 2011, Sam 2012, Sam School et al.

4. It is important to create categories that will fit all of your photos and in a way that you will remember which photo is where, when the time comes to search. For old photos, make a separate envelope for negatives.

5. Albums or binders with acid-free plastic sleeves are great systems for organizing your photos. Identify shots by leaving a blank pocket in front of each new set of photos.