STORM TRACK: July 31, 1978 (Volume 1 Issue 5)

Though your color print is carefully processed (commercially or at, home), there are steps you can take to preserve it for many years. From Kodak publications, have gathered the following advice.

Prints should not be displayed in direct sunlight, for ultraviolet rays can hasten color changes and fading, often causing deterioration in months that would ordinarily take years. Nevertheless, dyes in color prints, like all other dyes, may change somewhat in time. Extreme heat and humidity should also be avoided to prevent color changes, fading, or mold and mildew damage. A Kodak publication states, "The possibility of mold or mildew damage is very strong in basements unless the humidity is kept down by use of dehumidifiers. Attics and upstairs rooms are too intensely hot in summer or in warm climates."

It is difficult to handle large prints without bending them, which may result in small crinkles that mar the plastic surface and cannot be removed. Therefore, it is best to mount the print on some type of firm support, such as illustration board that can be obtained at art-supply or photography stores, With care, you can do the mounting yourself with a clothes iron and Kodak or Seal dry mounting tissue. Some local photographic labs can dry mount color prints on such material as showcard, Bainbridge board, museum board, foam core, or Masonite. Aerosol adhesives can also be used, such as Premier Dry Mount Spray, Scotch Photo Mount Spray, and McDonald Lamin-All. An alternative to a spray is Scotch Mounting Adhesive Sheets, which lay down an even layer of synthetic adhesive. Don't use rubber cement or pastes that contain water or penetrating solvents, since those can cause stains. Should water get on the print surface, it can be removed with a hair dryer without leaving a residual spot.

An easy way to mount a print is on a Savage two-piece mount board with a ready-cut opening for any specific size desired. Another method is with Falcon Perma-Mount, a thin card having self-sticking adhesive on both sides, Also available are wall brackets to hang a print without a frame. Whichever method is selected, I suggest you consider mats other than white for certain pictures. Some color prints show up best with a black or dark gray mat, but a narrow white border should be left to separate the scene from the mat.

A spray lacquer can be applied that will protect prints from scratches, fingerprints and moisture and that will allow for cleaning with a damp cloth and detergent. Some lacquers contain an ultraviolet shield that helps maintain the color stability. You can also stop reflections by using a matte finish spray. Sprays are available from Krylon, McDonald and Unicolor. An additional benefit of sprayed prints is that they need not be framed under glass, thus eliminating a possible source of reflections and loss of tonal contrast.

Print mounting and framing techniques are so numerous that I have touched on only a few, and suggest you consult photography and framing stores for more details. The most recent magazine article I have seen gives step-by step instructions for making your own frame from standard 1 1/4 inch prefinished cap moulding that is sold for use during wall panel instruction. This vinyl-covered wood can be cut in a ad ter box and secured with an electric gun. See Popular Photography for November, l977 for "Easy, Low-Cost Picture Framing," by Walter J. Bregach.