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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Preserving newspaper articles
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 02/12/2007 03:19:59 PM · #1
Okay all I have a question for you. I have a pile of newspaper covers and articles/magazine covers and features of my work that I want to preserve. Maybe put them into a folder...or something...I am not sure. Just basically a collection of where my work has been used.

So...I was wondering, what is the best way to preserve them. Should I laminate them individually, slide them into a clear sleeve, put them in a photo album....what do you suggest. I do want to have them on display eventually....but I am not sure if the laminating will last, especially with the newspaper articles and photos.
 02/12/2007 04:04:40 PM · #2
Darn it, somewhere I have a book on book/document preservation ... I suggest contacting a library (especially if you have a university library nearby) and talking to someone in the conservation department. Most newspapers are made with cheap, high acid-content paper which will discolor and deteriorate pretty quickly, and I don't think laminating will prevent that process.

Keeping them in a dark place with fairly low humidity should help.

If you have a scanner, you might want to scan them at the highest optical resolution of your scanner so you have an alternative format.
 02/12/2007 04:09:01 PM · #3
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Darn it, somewhere I have a book on book/document preservation ... I suggest contacting a library (especially if you have a university library nearby) and talking to someone in the conservation department. Most newspapers are made with cheap, high acid-content paper which will discolor and deteriorate pretty quickly, and I don't think laminating will prevent that process.

Keeping them in a dark place with fairly low humidity should help.

If you have a scanner, you might want to scan them at the highest optical resolution of your scanner so you have an alternative format.


Yes...good point...thanks General.
 02/12/2007 04:14:39 PM · #4
You may find this article helpful from ehow.com
 02/12/2007 04:17:42 PM · #5
* Make color copies of your newspaper articles on matte paper, and use these for display. Using a color copier will preserve the aged newsprint's coloring and give the articles more visual interest, as well as saving your original from being exposed to light and humidity.

Store the originals
* Excessive dampness or humidity - above 65% - can cause mold.
* Excessive heat causes newspapers to dry out and become brittle.
* Avoid storing newspapers in bundles, or among other papers. A chemical transfer called "acid migration" can occur in papers in contact with one another. This causes colors/text to be transferred onto papers above or below the newsprint.
* Mice shred newspapers for nests. Make sure to store important
* Remove rubber bands before storing. When possible, store newspapers flat rather than folded. The folds weaken the paper, and can cause tears or separation.
* If articles are clipped from multiple pages, use stainless steel paperclips or Plastiklips. Do not use staples; these will cause future tearing.

Google is such a wonderful tool...

02/12/2007 04:27:42 PM · #6
Thanks Brad and Kadi for your helpful information.

Message edited by author 2007-02-12 16:29:42.
 02/12/2007 04:56:06 PM · #7
Go to Light Impressions They specialize in this. You might want an archival, acid free box. This come from my Reference Librarian friend. She does this all the time for their historical department. I love it for my genealogy findings that fall out of the attic @ grampa's house LOL
Deb
 02/12/2007 05:12:20 PM · #8
Thankyou Dsterner...I am checking out that website at the moment.
 02/12/2007 06:37:57 PM · #9
My friend was a archivist of old documents. He always kept them in a wooden box with lots of Silica Gel (You know ... those little packets that are packed with electrical equipment that tell you not to eat them?) I have no idea where you might source these if you have not already collected them from your purchases. I have. The drink ANY moisture in their vicinity and that cannot be bad for paper. Stored in a tight space, they pretty much can assure like 1% humidity or less.
 02/12/2007 07:00:12 PM · #10
Some newspapers will print a copy of a page for you. I know the Boston Globe does. (I was going to get my brother the front pages of the Sox last two World Series wins). I am pretty sure most papers archive their stuff to micro fiche for later so they would be able to reprint a page for you. It would also be on better quality paper (possibly even photo paper).

My girlfriend had the Calgary Herald reprint a picture of her brother dumping his canoe into the Bow River during a eco-race. :)

Anyways, I suspect magazines would probably be able to oblige as well. Since you are the original photographer they may be able to get you a deal or maybe even give it to you for free.

02/12/2007 07:12:25 PM · #11
Originally posted by Greetmir:
...He always kept them in a wooden box with lots of Silica Gel (You know ... those little packets that are packed with electrical equipment that tell you not to eat them?)

Only problem with Silica gel, is that once exposed to the air, and depending on the ambient humidity, they are done working after 24 hours. They can be low-temperature heated to dry them back out, but once again, they will have absorbed everything they can, again depending on the humidity, in 24 hours, once exposed to the air.
Dry them and place in an airtight container, and they work wonders.
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