Make & keep
Lay out a wall grid of strip copies
Use a paper plan before making a permanent display.
A grid works best when the portraits remain readable from the intended viewing distance.
Test the arrangement
Use paper placeholders at the intended print sizes and view them from across the room. Keep spacing consistent where it helps, but preserve different original proportions. Group by a meaningful theme or chronology and leave room for captions. Check the wall surface and use an appropriate mounting method for that surface.
Display replaceable copies
Keep valuable originals in suitable storage and use reproductions for a bright or busy room. Save the layout and labels with the collection. Check the finished display for glare and readability; a well-aligned grid that hides faces in reflections has not solved the viewing problem.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — displaying family archivesPreservation guidance