Here is how to pack and store film

Are you thinking about packing up your belongings and moving? Or have you maybe decided it’s the right time to start cleaning up your house and decluttering? Whatever the reason, old photo albums, as you might already know, are actually quite bulky. Not to mention film rolls. Both of which tend to use up a lot of space. However, on the other hand, it’s also the thing most people are not really that willing to get rid of. This is why learning how to pack and store film is so important.

Today we are going to share with you some tips and tricks of the trade that will hopefully help you in your mission to free up space. However, the best way to safely package your film to ensure it doesn’t get damaged is to hire moving services NJ. A group of highly trained and motivated professionals who will stop at nothing but to offer you the perfect move.

How to pack and store film

So, you have finally decided to do something about those bulky photo albums that you own? Given the fact that they possess insurmountable amounts of sentimental value, it can be hard to say goodbye to them. However, you don’t have to. There is a way to safely pack your old film and store it for a long time with the absolute guarantee that they won’t get damaged. How we hear you ask? Well, by using the following tips to simplify the packing of your family heirloom memorabilia.

The importance of good quality storage.

When moving to New Jersey, or anywhere in the State really, there is one thing you absolutely need to take care of. And that is storage. You need to find high-quality storage units where you can store all of your films and old photos.

However, that being said, the climate is your worst enemy when it comes to packing and storing film. If the air is to dry, your film will become fragile and crack. However, if the air is too moist it can cause mold and dry-rot to form. Which is an absolute no-no, when it comes to storing your prints. That’s why we recommend that you store all your photos in cooler temperatures. Specifically, if you are storing film rolls you want to make sure to keep it in a refrigerator at 50°F or lower.  This will keep the lifespan of the film fresh and it will extend the life of the film tenfold. However, if the film is already exposed but unprocessed you should be wary. As you might be risking losing quality in your photos.

How to pack and store film: the risk of losing the quality of the film

One of the most important things that should be on your moving checklist when storing film, is to check whether it has been processed or not. A raw stock film can be stored for months on end at temperatures around 0-17° F. However, it is not generally recommended to store film with which has been shot with and that is unprocessed for more than a few months. Because even if you decide to refrigerate the film properly, loss of quality after 6 months is inevitable.

That’s why we recommend that you develop the film if you plan on storing it for more than 6 months. So that you don’t risk the loss of quality because of not developing it on time. However, once you’ve developed the film… The imaginary clock starts ticking. So, hurry up and store your prints in the following manner.

Step 1: Store digitally.

We understand the need to store film and photos in physical form. However, you should, at the very least, consider storing all of your photos digitally. Given the fact that in today’s day and age it doesn’t cost you a cent (Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox all offer free cloud storage solutions), you should really invest in creating an online cloud service ID. It’s only a few clicks, and the upload takes less than a few minutes. It really is something we implore you to do. As the cost of applying for such a service certainly outweighs the practicality and risks of storing films physically.

In any case, having the peace of mind that all your photos and film are backup digitally (for free), can really be beneficial. Even if, god forbid, a fire breaks out, a storm or a hurricane hit, you can rest assured that your prints are safe.

Step 2: Don’t keep your photos in “stick and peel covers”.

While it might seem like a good idea at the time, storing your photos in those “stick and peel” albums is a bad idea. The sticky residue can be hard to remove from your photographs. Especially if you take into consideration that the chemicals used can ruin pictures over time. So, make sure to find a photo album with alternative print-friendly solutions.

Step 3: Remove all adhesives from the pictures.

Make sure that you remove any residue that could damage your print in storage. Things like adhesives and stain marks are the biggest culprits here. Now, we understand that this process can be quite tedious, but trust us. It will pay off in the long run. You’d much rather have a picture that in 8 years looks just as it does today, then to wag your fists in the air in anger because you didn’t treat it properly.

In conclusion

The most important takeaway when packing and storing film is to understand the importance of good quality storage. Damage can (and will) occur on physical prints. That’s why keeping your films in cool AC controlled units is a must. On the other hand, you should use acid-free products to store your films. Remove all unnecessary residue that could damage your prints. And always backup your data digitally. As the peace of mind in-and-of-itself that your belongings are safe is worth it.