There aren't many things that make me mad, but when it comes to running a company, few things are more frustrating to me than lazy employees. A few months ago I started keeping closer tabs on my workers, and it became immediately clear that there were some team members that didn't care at all about things like productivity, saving money, and doing the right thing. I wanted to do something to correct the situation, so I started honing our processes, holding more team meetings, and perfecting the processes. This blog is all about streamlining your company and making things right.
Do you have some very old photos that you want to preserve for generations to come? If so, you'll want to hire a company that specializes in media preservation. Here are some of the steps that they will take to preserve your photographs.
Preparation
One key to preparing photos is to prepare a workspace for the work to be done. They will make sure that the area is dry and clean to avoid any potential debris coming into contact with the photograph. The work area should also be out of direct sunlight, and not have excessive humidity that can cause damage to the photos.
Sorting and Organizing
All of the photos should be grouped in order to make the preservation process easier. This includes sorting them by format or size so that the specialist working with photos can repeat the process with ease, rather than having to adjust between each photo since it is a different size.
Cleaning
The photos will need to be cleaned so that debris and dust are not trapped on the photos. This can be done using a special brush across the surface, or a lint-free cloth that will not leave a residue or scratch the surface by accident.
Handling
Old photos need to be handled with care due to them being very fragile. The professional preserving your photos will likely wear cotton gloves that prevent them from transferring any dirt or oil from their hands to the surface of the photo. The gloves also prevent fingerprints from getting on the surface.
Protecting
It is common to use a photo sleeve that is made out of acid-free materials so it will not impact the integrity of the photo over time. The sleeves also prevent the photos from damage due to moisture, light, and dust. If a photo is being placed in a photo album, there are archival-quality materials that can be used to prevent the photos from being distorted. If you've ever used cheap photo album materials in the past, you may be aware of how they can easily damage photos.
Labeling
An archived photo doesn't mean much if you do not know what the story is behind the photo. Archivists will take the time to label and document each photo, which can be done with labels or writing on the back that indicates locations, names, and dates. Additional information can be compiled in a spreadsheet so it all is not contained on the photo itself.
Storing
Finally, the photos will be stored in a place that is well-ventilated, cool, and dry. This will prevent pests, temperatures, and humidity from impacting the integrity of the photos by accident.
Contact a local media preservation service to learn more.
Share