Photographs are by default instances in time captured as tangible memories. But we often want to preserve a photograph or a painting for the longest possible time. Perhaps, the image has personal significance to you. Or maybe, it has a broader social and historical importance for which you wish to preserve it. Either way, archival media prints are a great way to ensure the longevity of an image. 

What is archival printing? 

It’s a printing method that uses special materials and tools to create prints that last for exceptionally long times without fading or deteriorating. The colors and depth of the images are also exceptional. These attributes are due to the use of pH-neutral, acid-free papers for printing. Archival media printing also employs specialized pigment-based inks. This further enables the prints to last longer without a drop in quality. 

Reasons that make archival prints ideal for preserving history 

Let’s now look at some of the key aspects that make archival media printing an important method for preserving history. 

Moisture-resistance: A key reason why regular prints deteriorate with time is that they get exposed to atmospheric moisture. That is unavoidable unless the prints are preserved in air-tight environments which is impractical for most of us. Thankfully, archival media printing usually makes use of moisture-resistant materials. You can also complement the print with good-quality framing and storage mediums to resist moisture. 

UV protection: As you probably know, ultraviolet rays are harmful to many types of surfaces- and that is true with art and fine art photography prints as well. Archival media printing provides an effective solution as specialized coating could be applied to the prints. This shields them from rays that could make the colors fade. 

Acid-free: Accumulation of acid is the main cause of the yellowing in regular prints. It can also cause the prints to turn brittle, thereby flaking into tiny pieces. As mentioned earlier archival media printing uses acid-free print surfaces which thwart such issues. 

Accurate colors: The importance of accuracy and vibrancy of colors couldn’t be overstated for the beauty of an image. To this end, archival media printing ensures that the prints generated match the original colors. In the case of historically important prints, true colors have significance beyond aesthetics. It can also give you a glimpse of the choice of colors for garments, buildings, and other things from a bygone era. For historians and anthropologists, such elements can be of importance. 

Impact of archival printing on preserving personal and social history

With so many advantages they bring it’s not surprising that these prints have a significant impact on preserving the past- be it your personal history or social history.

In terms of personal history, archival prints are an excellent choice for documenting and preserving important occasions and celebrations in your life. The same holds true for moments of achievement, like winning an award or accolade. These images could then be passed down generations provided they are taken care of reasonably well. They could delight and inspire new generations in equal measure.

As for fragments of history with social relevance, the importance of archival media printing is immense. Many iconic images from history have been replicated using archival printing and disseminated far and wide long before the advent of the internet. This ensured that they were seen and enjoyed by a wide audience. 

War photographs are an excellent example of historic photos that benefit from archival printing. A significant chunk of our knowledge about historic wars including the two great wars has come through images captured by photographers. Before digitization was possible, many of these images wouldn’t have lasted as long as they did without the aid of archival media printing. The same is true with many pictures and paintings of socio-political importance. Then, there are also the paintings of masters the originals of which are not affordable for the common person. With archival prints, you get these classics at relatively reasonable prices. That too is a form of preserving a piece of cultural history. 

Tags: Archival Media Printing, Fine art Photography prints