How to Print Digital Photos on Archival Paper

Archival paper allows digital photos to have a long lifespan.

Printing your digital photos on archival paper will help to ensure that your treasured photographs don't fade out or change colors over time. You will need a printer that produces prints that are indistinguishable from real photographs, acid-free archival paper, and archival quality inks. Today, there are many companies that manufacture archival paper for the home market, and the problem isn't with finding it, but in deciding which archival paper you like the best. Along with archival paper, you will want to choose a quality pigment ink for your printer to get a print that will last.

Things You'll Need

• Archival paper
• Archival inks
• Inkjet photo printer

Instructions

1. Buy a printer that can produce images that are indistinguishable from a conventional continuous-tone photograph. Inkjet photo printers usually have individual cartridges for ink colors, and may have six or even eight different colors of ink. They print more slowly than regular text printers and produce a finer image, so that individual dots of ink are not visible. Search the Internet for reviews on photo inkjets before you make a purchase.

2. Choose an archival paper. Visit a local photography store to see samples of the paper. Most companies that have made traditional photographic papers now also make photo paper for digital prints. Buy a sample package of inkjet paper, which will allow you to try a variety of paper stocks without spending a lot of money.

3. Buy archival inks for your printer. Avoid the temptation to buy cheap ink or refurbished cartridges in order to save money. As a rule, pigments inks last longer than dyes, which are bright but tend to fade rapidly. Buy the name brand inks for your printer to ensure that you get the best quality product. Companies that sell inkjet products often have helpful information on their web pages. Visit online photography forums, which are a good place to ask for help on choosing inks.

4. Load archival paper into your printer. Handle the paper by the edges only to avoid getting oils from your fingers on the paper. Use linen gloves, if desired. Carefully load the paper into your printer. Make sure that the paper is loaded with the correct side to be printed; this varies from printer to printer so read your manual if you are unsure how to load the paper.

5. Print your digital photo. Carefully remove it from the printer's output tray and set it aside in a clean area where it can dry thoroughly. Make sure the print lies flat. Avoid placing prints on radiators or other heat sources so they do not curl at the edges.

6. Frame the photograph. Use an acid-free mat board and mounting board, and secure the print to the mounting board using an acid-free tape. Use a specialty glass designed for framed photographs, not cheap window glass. These glasses are treated with a coating that helps to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches the photo, which helps prevent fading.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang photographs where the sun will not shine directly on them.

• Use quality paper and inks in your printer.

• Read reviews about printers before making a purchase.

• Do not stack photos on top of each other to dry.

• Do not use masking tape or clear tape to affix prints to mounting boards.

References

• Consumer Search: Inkjet Printers vs. Inkjet Photo Printers
• Inkjet Mall: Understanding Inks and Media Longevity
• Vivid Light Photography: Inkjet Paper 101

Resources

• Wilhelm Research: Kodak ESP Office 6150 Printer: Print Permanence Ratings
• Marrutt Digital Solutions: Inkjet Printing Explained -- The Archival Debate
• Northeast Document Conservation Center: Creating Long-Lasting Inkjet Prints