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Step 1
Collect antique frames or ones that you can distress to look older. These should be of varying colors so that you can coordinate them with the right antique photo for display.
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Step 2
Use acid free rag or fabric mats. Because the photos are older, you need to take special precautions with the materials that touch them inside the frame. Mat all photos to prevent them from touching the glass of the frame, as there should be some air flow on the photos themselves.
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Step 3
Buy ultraviolet filtering glass for your frame. This will protect all of your antique photos from light damage.
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Step 4
Hang your photos in an area of your home that gets no direct sunlight. Even with filtering glass, direct sunlight can damage photos and cause them to fade.
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Step 5
Display antique photos in cool, dry areas of your home. Moisture and warmth may damage photos on display or in storage.
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Step 6
Get digital reprints and restoration. With the technology available, there are many specialty photo shops that can scan and restore any antique photos you may have. Then you can use easier framing techniques, and place them in open air frames without damaging the original.
