I have some print paper in the drawer that is over a year old! Does it go bad?
Tks Ed
If it says "archival quality" or "acid free", yes.
But even that will have troubles in some climates and/or oils from your hands. I had a 150 year old book that tanish-brown from age but was still good to read. (lost in a move).
Edited: I meant to say; "If it says "archival quality" or "acid free", yes go ahead and use it." The cheaper papers might get a bit on the crispy side but generally still work for many years.
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
elf wrote:
I have some print paper in the drawer that is over a year old! Does it go bad?
Tks Ed
Archival paper, by its very nature, is designed to last
for hundreds of years.
As long as you keep it flat in a drawer or cabinet away from excessive light/heat, yes.
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
As long as you keep it flat in a drawer or cabinet away from excessive light/heat, yes.
And little kids that like to find paper to draw on.
...
I have some 15 y/o paper that I still use. I bought it in bulk.
It doesn't matter if it is exposed to the light. Ink printers all put the ink on top of the paper. What makes the paper special is how it holds the ink. I suggest keeping it flat and in it's original wrapper. A drawer or cabinet is a great place.
AND, only handle it with clean hands. Oily fingerprints can ruin the final print.
In Photography "Print Paper" used to mean something totally different than what
you are talking about here I think !
GENorkus wrote:
If it says "archival quality" or "acid free", yes.
But even that will have troubles in some climates and/or oils from your hands. I had a 150 year old book that tanish-brown from age but was still good to read. (lost in a move).
Edited: I meant to say; "If it says "archival quality" or "acid free", yes go ahead and use it." The cheaper papers might get a bit on the crispy side but generally still work for many years.
If printed with an ink jet I'd be more concerned about fading over time.
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
TucsonCoyote wrote:
In Photography "Print Paper" used to mean something totally different than what
you are talking about here I think !
Darkroom photographic paper is basically a good quality
paper (not dissimilar to digital printer paper) with a
silver gelatin layer on top. I have family pictures from
the late 1800s. Paper will last a long time if treated
properly.
And, just as an aside, if you have a photograph that is
precious to you, make a couple of good prints and store
one away and perhaps frame the other. Don't expect a
digital file to stand the test of time.
elf wrote:
I have some print paper in the drawer that is over a year old! Does it go bad?
Tks Ed
There are photographs that are over 100 years old, which is more than I'll need. The quality of the printing and the paper makes a big difference.
ricardo7 wrote:
Darkroom photographic paper is basically a good quality
paper (not dissimilar to digital printer paper) with a
silver gelatin layer on top. I have family pictures from
the late 1800s. Paper will last a long time if treated
properly.
And, just as an aside, if you have a photograph that is
precious to you, make a couple of good prints and store
one away and perhaps frame the other. Don't expect a
digital file to stand the test of time.
If you put a little effort into backing up and so on, your digital prints will outlast you any day.
I am a Chemical as well as a Digital photographer.
In that I still make use of Photographic Paper (that light sensitive stuff) - and have over 3000 8X10 sheets of that stuff from as early as 1965 - and it is still good, even being out of date, it still works great.
With Inkjet Printing paper I treet it the same as I do Chemical paper (Dry, laid flat, in a safe place). I have some inkjet paper that I use which is over 10 years old. Nothing wrong with it. Just keep it in a dry safe place. I have prints that I have made hanging and in storage laid flat in boxes awaiting for sales that are as fresh as the day I printed them five years ago.
Just buy Good Paper and you will be ok.
-0-
Joe Blow wrote:
And little kids that like to find paper to draw on.
...
I have some 15 y/o paper that I still use. I bought it in bulk.
It doesn't matter if it is exposed to the light. Ink printers all put the ink on top of the paper. What makes the paper special is how it holds the ink. I suggest keeping it flat and in it's original wrapper. A drawer or cabinet is a great place.
AND, only handle it with clean hands. Oily fingerprints can ruin the final print.
If it is archival paper, it likely is acid- and lignin free.
Keeping it in a wooden drawer or cabinet is then NOT a great place as acid migrates from the wood to the paper.
I'd suggest keeping the paper in its original wrappings, then place in an acid- and lignin free storage box. If you then must keep it in a wooden cabinet or drawer, make sure the storage box is tightly closed.
Or get a plastic box made especially for storing papers. Stores specializing in scrap-booking material would be the places to check.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
elf wrote:
I have some print paper in the drawer that is over a year old! Does it go bad?
Tks Ed
Eventually everything goes bad. My Kodak paper lasted years and years. Keep it in a humidity free environment and use it before it becomes too old. There might even have a born on date or a date to use by printed on the package somewhere.
DBW
Loc: near Edmonton AB
When I use to buy my film, way back, I use to buy it in the 100 ft roll and freeze it. I use to have my paper in the fridge part.
I would take the film out the day before I used it and the paper about 10 or 12 hours before I use it.
Just don't get any condensation on it.
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