From the Arch Club Journal

How to store negatives so they last

Your negatives are your originals. A few simple habits keep them for generations.

Written by Arch Club. We sell original negatives sealed in display resin, with a print of the buyer's choice.

The essentials

I
Use archival sleeves.Choose sleeves sold as archival or PAT tested, made from polyester, polypropylene or acid-free paper. Avoid PVC, which gives off gases that damage film.
II
Keep them cool.Heat speeds up decay. A cool, steady room is far better than a warm one.
III
Keep them dry.Moderate humidity, roughly 30 to 50 percent, prevents mould and curling. Avoid basements and attics.
IV
Keep them dark.Store sleeves in a binder or box, away from light.
V
Handle by the edges.Fingerprints etch into the emulsion. Use clean cotton or nitrile gloves.
VI
Label everything.Date, place and film on every sleeve. You won't remember in twenty years.

Back them up

Scan your best negatives and keep copies in two places. A scan can't replace the original, but it protects against loss.

Negatives as objects

Most negatives live in binders. Ours are meant to be seen. Each Arch Club negative is sealed in clear display resin, protecting it from fingers and dust, and comes with a 4×6 or 8×10 print. Display it away from direct sunlight, like any photograph.

A negative is the original. Treat it like one.
White marble stilettos with red marble straps on a black marble plinth
Shot on film at Arch Club

ARCH CLUB

A members' club for foot photography, shot only on film.

Every Arch Club photograph is made on a Canon EOS-1V, a Mamiya 7 or a Fuji GW690II, with real models in New York and never AI. Members receive new film photographs every month, and collectors can own the original negative, sealed in display resin with a print of their choice.

Membership$49.99/mo
Polaroid$111
4×6 print$200
Negatives$1,100 to $2,000
Cameras35mm, 6×7, 6×9
Become a MemberBecome a Model

Anyone can find a picture. Few will ever hold a photograph.

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Published by Arch Club, Brooklyn, New York.