Make & keep
Mount photo strips with removable corners
Build an album page without bonding the picture to it.
A neat scrapbook does not need the photograph to become permanently part of the page. Removable mounting can leave room for later copying, relabelling and a change of arrangement.
Choose the contact materials
The Canadian Conservation Institute recommends photo corners or other non-invasive mounting where possible to avoid adhesives on photographs. Select materials intended for photograph storage, rather than assuming any craft product is suitable for an old original.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Test with a paper dummy
Cut a plain-paper rectangle to the strip’s measured dimensions. Arrange corners around that dummy and check that it can be inserted and removed without bending. Leave room for a caption on the page. Do not use the original as a measuring tool while repeatedly adjusting glue, pressure or placement.
Keep a removal route
After mounting, ensure the strip is supported without a tight pinch or a forced curl. Put names and dates on the page or enclosure, with the object’s catalogue reference. Keep any reverse inscription copied or accessible. If the original is fragile, display a reproduction and store the original appropriately instead.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Canadian Conservation Institute — photographic materialsPreservation guidance