{"id":14776,"date":"2025-09-26T12:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T16:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/?p=14776"},"modified":"2025-09-26T12:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T16:00:01","slug":"how-to-preserve-organize-and-frame-old-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/how-to-preserve-organize-and-frame-old-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Framing Old Photos: 5+ Easy Ways To Preserve & Organize Your Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to old photos, you want to be able to preserve them for as long as possible. If you have an old box of pictures stashed in the closet or basement from days gone by, don\u2019t let them get ruined by age or neglect! There are plenty of ways you can organize and store your old photos, whether they are digital photo files or actual printed photos (remember those?)<\/em>. We\u2019re going to help you get organized, stay organized, and display the old photos you love most! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you look through old photographs, you\u2019ll probably notice some have a few flaws, especially if not stored correctly \u2014 yellowed hues, tattered edges<\/a>, fading colors, and maybe even brittle to the touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are several ways to protect and organize your old photos so you can enjoy them for years to come. Because they are by their very nature\u00a0delicate<\/em>, you need to keep that in mind when handling them, storing them, and deciding on what materials to use when framing them. And although we are specifically talking about photographs here, these precautions apply when framing any valuable piece of artwork.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you are all organized, why not choose a few to frame for your wall? With the right picture frame, you can make your old photos last as long as your memories will. Give grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe the display it deserves on your kitchen counter or create a family tree<\/a> using your family’s old photos. Whatever it is you decide to frame, be sure it will last long with our tips! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Organization is Key!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This first part may take some time, depending on how many photos you have. Whether you are working with the pictures on your phone, laptop, or camera or you are working with photos you have printed out, you must first start with grouping them together. Add a new folder on your phone or get a photo album ready. If you don\u2019t want to put your printed photos in albums just use appropriately sized envelopes (or even the ones included from the place you had them printed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Group them by occasion, season, year, or even by person. This way all the pictures that have a connection<\/em> will be together and easily accessible at a later time. If you have run out of room on your phone\u2019s camera roll, try downloading Google Photos which gives you unlimited space to store your photos. From there, create folders within the app to separate your connected <\/em>photos. For your actual old photos, don\u2019t forget to label the envelopes with keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this may take you some time, so don\u2019t try to tackle it all at once. Or make it a two-step process. First, assemble them by year and then go back and organize them into smaller groupings. Remember, preparation is key to any task and although it\u2019s not much \u201cfun\u201d it will be well worth the effort in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know When To Toss Photos <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of things that are not fun, <\/em>throwing away some of the memories you\u2019ve made is probably not high on your list of enjoyable activities.  But let\u2019s face it, you can\u2019t keep every single photo you\u2019ve had printed (well, you can but that\u2019s called hoarding<\/em>), and storing every digital photo you\u2019ve taken, even if you have the space, makes it so much harder to find the one you want to print. So, as painful as it may sound, know when to get rid of some. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with the old photos that are of poor quality.  Some may look like they were taken by a professional, but others, not so much!  Toss those immediately. They\u2019re blurry, out of focus, or in bad lighting. There is zero need to crowd your storage space with those. Delete them. Your printed photographs are faded, torn, or you\u2019re not even sure who\u2019s in them or where they were taken. Time to add them to the trash pile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have duplicates (and who doesn\u2019t?) you need to compare and select the better photo. We are all guilty of snapping away sometimes and getting the same photo over, and over, and over again. Honestly, sometimes they look like carbon copies of each other. Sure, you can keep unlimited digital photos, but why would you? And if they are printed already and you can\u2019t bring yourself to throw them away, why not give the duplicates to the people who were there with you in the photo? Let them share the memories of your time together with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that that\u2019s done, don\u2019t you feel better? Getting rid of clutter <\/em>really is good for the soul! And with all the good <\/em>old photos you\u2019ve saved, chances are you won\u2019t miss the bad <\/em>ones you\u2019ve tossed. Plus it\u2019s easier to do the next step: storing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storing Old Photos Properly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The hard part is behind you. Once you have organized all your photos, it is now time to put them away. We\u2019ve mentioned the different methods of storing both digital and paper photos already, but let\u2019s discuss that a bit more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are storing printed photos decide which ones you want to store in an album so they are easily accessible for you to look through when you want or show them off if you choose to. There is nothing like going through an album of vacation pics or a special occasion to instantly bring back great memories! For all the \u201cextras\u201d keep them safe in the envelopes we mentioned earlier, and for added protection put those envelopes in a plastic storage bin to keep them safe from moisture and other damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital photos can also be kept safe by backing them up, whether it\u2019s to your iCloud, an app, or even Facebook. Pick a safe place to back them up to, even if it’s a USB, where you can access them anywhere, that way if something happens to your phone, you still have access to your photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Tips For Framing Your Old Photos <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have organized all of your old photos, it’s time to consider which ones you want to frame and give a grand display on your wall or table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: While we\u2019re showing you how to preserve old photos to help them last longer, these are also precautions you should take before framing any piece, whether photos, art pieces, or posters. The precautions we outline below are for most standard consumer purposes, but if you have something that is extremely<\/em> rare or valuable you\u2019ll want to consult an art expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use As Many Acid-Free Materials as You Can<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With frames, acid-free framing materials<\/a> should be the name of the game \u2014 whether you\u2019re using tape, backing, matboards, or anything else. We cover this in our puzzle framing guide<\/a>, too, but it\u2019s important to repeat it for emphasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without getting too much into the science of it all, to determine if something is acid-free you\u2019d need to know if it has a rating of 7 or higher on the ph scale. If it\u2019s less than 7, it would be acidic. Most products \u2014 such as tape or glue \u2014will tell you if it\u2019s acid-free. The backing that comes with each frame and the framer\u2019s tape we sell on our accessories page is both acid-free to ensure the life of your pieces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are acid-free products important? Well, your print \u2014 regardless of what it\u2019s made of \u2014 has acids in it that will eventually cause yellowing in the image itself. This explains why a lot of older pictures have that general hue. Acid-free components such as backing or tape can help slow this process and even combat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a High Quality Frame Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"acrylic<\/figure>
\n

Acids can be harmful to your print, but there\u2019s also the issue of ultraviolet rays (UV), which can severely fade and damage your photograph. Fortunately, there\u2019s a way to combat that, too. Most frame covers \u2014 whether glass or acrylic \u2014 offer some level of UV protection. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When working with a framer  \u2014 if you\u2019re consulting someone other than us \u2014 we recommend reaching out to them to see what type of cover they use, as well as what sort of UV protection it offers. Be assured that our Acrylic covers<\/a> are UV filtering and will protect your photograph while enhancing its beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame It Easy, we exclusively use acrylic, and offer it in three types: clear, non-glare, and conservation clear. All framing-grade acrylic options filter varying degrees of UV light and are UV stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Clear Acrylic<\/strong> offers the beautiful clarity of the finest picture frame glazing at half the weight of glass and many times the impact resistance. 1.5mm thick and protects your art from 66% of UV light.  It is the preferred material for larger framed art and provides the safety warranted in high traffic areas. It is the ideal glazing material for museums, galleries, and homes. Perfect for the casual framer decorating their home or business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Non-Glare Acrylic<\/strong> has all of the clarity, impact resistance, and ultraviolet protection of our Clear Acrylic, but with a very fine matted coating that elegantly diffuses light and reduces reflections. 1.5mm thick and protects your art from 66% of UV light. (Not recommended for art that includes matting as it will cause a less crisp display.) Perfect for reducing glare, but not recommended for art that includes matting as it will cause a less crisp display.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Conservation Clear Acrylic<\/strong> provides superior clarity with 99% UV protection, preserving your art without color distortion. Extra durable and rigid at 3mm thick. Perfect for artists, museums, galleries, larger works, and anything that you want to preserve long-term.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose A Safe Display Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where you place your art is as important as your cover. No matter how much protection your cover offers, direct sunlight will harm your photos over time. Give careful consideration<\/a> to where you will display your framed photograph. Avoid areas such as near doors and windows where natural sunlight can wreak havoc on anything in its path. Likewise, be careful when high humidity (as in bathrooms) or heat (near ovens or fireplaces) is an issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial lighting can also be a foe to your photographs. Of course, to be able to enjoy<\/em> your photograph you have to be able to see<\/em> it, so we\u2019re not suggesting you keep it in the dark. However, soft diffusing light bulbs over, around, and near your photographs are the preferable way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, we are talking about photographs here, so as an added precaution be sure to scan\/digitize your photographs before framing and hanging them. Store them on your phone, computer, or even on a flash drive, so in the event that there is damage for any reason, you will have a spare copy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Using Cardboard-based Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"school<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cardboard-based products haven\u2019t been used in most frames for a long time, and for good reason. The cardboard is heavily acidic. In the past many frames, especially store-bought<\/a>, included cardboard, often corrugated, with the frame to act as an anchor for photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019d likely only find cardboard backings in cheaper store-bought frames nowadays, check any framed photographs you\u2019ve had for several years and remove any cardboard backing to extend the life of those precious memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f When cardboard is in contact with a print for too long, it often causes severe degradation and\/or yellowing. \u26a0\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a Low-Maintenance Frame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frames can come with varying degrees of maintenance requirements usually depending on the material they\u2019re made of and where you hang them. That said, we would recommend \u2014 for an older photo, at least \u2014 to use as low maintenance of a product as you can. This limits the need to handle the frame itself which in turn lessens the possibility of mishandling your photo from the equation. This means that you won\u2019t compromise your photograph by repeatedly touching or maneuvering it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Frame It Easy, you can rest assured that your frame will require little to no maintenance. Our wood frames are made with high-quality North American hardwoods and are as sturdy as they are beautiful. Our metal frames are aluminum-based and either anodized or powder coated to be durable and corrosion-resistant as well as decorative. Our corners are carefully mitered to not only achieve a perfect fit but to help keep pollutants and moisture away from your photograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So give your frame a new home, then leave it alone!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep the Oldies As Goodies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Sometimes our oldest pictures bring back the fondest memories. However, they may not have been lucky enough to have been preserved <\/em>as they should have been. If a photograph you treasure has been damaged, there are both professional and DIY ways to try to fix <\/em>imperfections that may have occurred over the years. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And don\u2019t forget, we will gladly print your digitized photos for you so when your frame arrives it is all ready to go. Simply upload your photograph into our 3D Frame Designer<\/a> and we will use our top-of-the-line equipment to print and mount your photos. If we don\u2019t think you will be happy with the photo once we\u2019ve printed it, we will reach out to you before we continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Framing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Okay, we know that organizing does not sound like much fun. In fact, with photos, it can seem downright daunting. But it doesn\u2019t have to be. This could be a really fun activity for you to do with your family. Go through and remember all the fun times you had together, Tell a funny story from the memory or simply remember a loved one who may no longer be with you. Or if you\u2019re doing it solo, make yourself a nice cup of tea or pour yourself a glass of wine and you may find it a lot more enjoyable than you thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you are done organizing your photos, choose a few to display for your home or give as a gift to a loved one. Head on over to our Frame Designer and start creating!  And don\u2019t worry about the size of your photos or the space you have to display them. Don\u2019t forget what we always say, the best part about custom framing is that it\u2019s up to you. We let you design your perfect frame from start to finish, so it arrives exactly how you want it! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show off your framed artwork, photos, & other items! <\/strong>\u2013 Inspire others by sharing your photos<\/a>, tell us your story! If we share it, you\u2019ll receive a coupon for 15% off your next order!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to follow us on our socials<\/a> for more daily inspiration \u2013 check out our Shopify app to start selling your own framed prints!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n