Vintage Film Preservation and Storage

How To Store and Preserve Delicate Film

Photographic Cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate, which are chemically unstable and prone to deterioration over time, typically make up vintage film and media. The main factors affecting the decay rate of film are temperature and humidity. Therefore, proper storage conditions are essential for preserving vintage film and cinema media.

Temperature For Storage 

The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) recommends storing vintage film media in frozen temperatures, with relative humidity (RH) between 30% and 50%, to extend its shelf life significantly. These measures inhibit chemical reactions that cause a film to shrink, warp, become brittle, or emit acidic vapors. The IPI also provides tools and guidelines for identifying film types, measuring environmental conditions, and choosing storage solutions. In addition to temperature and humidity, film media should be protected from light, dust, pollutants, and physical damage.

 Film & Media Storage 

The film should be stored in clean, well-ventilated, fire-resistant rooms or cabinets. It should be handled with care, using clean gloves and avoiding touching the emulsion or face of the film. The film should be stored in archival-quality containers, such as acid-free boxes or cans, and labelled clearly. Nitrate, a highly flammable and hazardous film type, should be segregated from other film types and stored in a separate, isolated, secure location. In a domestic home environment, film should also be stored in purposely designed acid-free containers, away from dampness and moisture. It is also best practice to digitize your films as an additional safety measure.

 For more detailed information on vintage film and media safe storage, you can consult the following sources:

The US Library of Congress covers various topics related to film preservation, including identification, handling, storage, standards, and nitrate and acetate deterioration and management.

https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/film.html

The guide from the National Film Preservation Foundation outlines the benefits of cold and dry storage and suggests options for cultural repositories. It also discusses film containers, nitrate segregation, and other storage issues specific to motion picture film.

https://www.filmpreservation.org/

https://www.filmpreservation.org/userfiles/image/PDFs/fpg_6.pdf

A Wikipedia article overviews film preservation's history, methods, challenges, and some examples of restoration projects and organizations. All the above references to film media apply equally to paper prints and slide film. You will find a range of storage options for paper print materials.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_preservation 

Further Links to Information: 

https://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/

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