Posted by Andreas Grund on August 29, 2003 at 22:43:29:
In Reply to: Re: Preservation and display of prints in plastic sleeves. posted by rh on August 29, 2003 at 16:39:13:
Although "mechanically" safe, several risks are against a use of plastic sleeves for the storage of prints
- static charges may remove pigment particles, e.g., Mica
- certain risk that chemicals like plasticizers evaporate from the polymer material, which may have a negative impact on the long term stability of paper and pigments
- risk of damage when the print is put in and out of the plastic sleeve
- The paper as a natural material cannot "breath" in a plastic folder, an important factor to keep the balance of humidity
I recommend the usage of plastic sleeves only for certain short time activities as mailing a print. In such case, best is to place the print in a folder of acid free paper and then to put the folder with the print inside into the plastic sleeve. This also prevents damage during insert and removal.
For long term storage, the only accepted method among most collecters and dealers is in folders of acid free (japanese) paper, which are stored in neutral carton boxes under appropriate conditions of temperature and R.H.
Andreas Grund