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Displaying Photographic Prints
- Always matte photographs before framing. The basic matte consists of a sandwich of two pieces of acid-free rag board hinged together. The backboard supports the photograph while the top piece has a window through which the photograph can be seen and which prevents the glass from touching the photograph. It is important that the glass and photograph do not touch because moisture can creep into the print and cause it to stick to the glass. A window mat allows air to circulate and prevents possible sticking. If the photograph is already mounted, the mount itself can be hinged to a window mat. Prints that are bowed or warped will be difficult to frame because they must not be forced flat.
- When mounting a print, do not mount it by pasting the entire print onto the backboard. While dry mounting tissue will not damage the print, the high heat of the dry mount process may. Dry mounting is not recommended because there is no way the photograph can be removed from the backboard. The photograph should always be mounted so it can be removed from the matte easily. Use hinges or corners made of acid free paper or mylar. Paste should be chemically intert. Methyl cellulose, rice starch paste, and wheat starch paste are acceptable pastes. Never use rubber cement or pressure sensitive tape.
- Aluminum frames are safe, light-weight, relatively inexpensive, and came in all sizes and colors. Wood frames can attract insects, and they give off gases that are harmful to the photograph. The long-term safety of plastic frames has not been established. There are many types of plastic, some are safe, some are not.
- Display photographs in the lowest light level practical. Light is harmful - particularly to color photographs. Display photographs in tungsten light only. Sunlight and fluorescent light contain ultraviolet rays that will fade or discolor photographs. Special Plexiglas (UF-3) will filter out most of the ultraviolet rays. However, it is a plastic, and, like plastic frames, its long-term effects on photographs have not been established. It scratches easily and develops static electricity which attracts dust. Dust, particularly dust formed by oil or gas heat, is harmful to photographs.
- When dusting framed photographs, use a dry untreated cloth; do not use any cleaning solutions.
- Hang photographs on an inside wall away from fireplaces or heating units. Do not hang photographs where they will receive direct sunlight. Heat and humidity speed up any chemical process; they present the greatest danger to the life of a photograph.
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