24" x 30" print storage

[Peter De Smidt]

I'm going to make some 22x26" prints on 24" x 30" paper. Do you have any recommendations for boxes to store the prints in? Most of the archival box suppliers that I look at don't make boxes big enough.

[LF_rookie_to_be]

I made my own 28x37" boxes from 2mm grayboard ("graupappe") and acrylic glue. The outside is strengthened with thin layers of epoxy and polyurethane and the prints are wrapped in a thick dark-gray plastic sheet cut from a roll I "borrowed" from a construction site.

[patrickjames]

You might consider getting a flat file. I know they aren't cheap but it is probably the best way to store large prints especially if you have a significant amount of them.

Then there is always- MicroClimate Solander Case- http://www.universityproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=1929&primary=1&parentId=&navTree[]=1260&navTree[]=2079&navTree[]=1929

It looks like Light Impressions, if you can trust them, has a case that would work for you as well- Sentinel Carrying Case, 25 x 31 x 3 1/2

I believe Pina Zangaro (sp?) makes aluminum clamshell cases to order. You may want to check with them. It would probably be the cheapest route (next to homemade) if they do, and they are nice, so if you are taking prints to show a gallery you don't look like a schmuck with a homemade cardboard box....

If you need to move just a few unmounted prints maybe something like this can do it if they make it in a size suitable for your images. I have used them before in the past and it should hold at least a half dozen prints, probably more like a dozen if my memory serves me- http://www.dickblick.com/products/cachet-deluxe-black-portfolios


Hope that helps.

[ROL]

An interesting problem. I'll be watching for other's solutions.

If you desire "archival" storage, and portability isn't an issue, then flat files may probably be the only ready made solution. The smaller ones seem to be less expensive (though still not cheap, even second hand) and more readily available than large ones.

The problem with boxes of any kind that large is that they need to be able to support quite a bit of weight, and as a result are very expensive. I have foregone archival print boxes designed to hold larger than 16"X20", because they were not made stiff enough to support say more than a few 20X24's. For now, I store tissue separated 20x24 in the original envelopes (not archival, if all else fails think basic utility), many fewer than a box could hold. Your 24x30's are larger still. Everything else larger of mine goes straight into the largest flat files made (3 stacked).

If archival-ness is not paramount but some degree of portability is, then stiff shipping boxes are good (and quite heavy). I am forced, because of limited space, to store some of my matted prints (most matted larger than 24x30) in them. The bonus is that you can actually ship safely in them as well. Strongbox (http://www.masterpak-usa.com/masterpak.htm#PremiumMasterPak) is one manufacturer.

If cost is important, you may just have to store them, a limited quantity in each, in large open-sided flat art portfolios – the kind that are "artfully" tied up. Though far from an optimum solution, I have seen this occasionally in some studios.

[Peter De Smidt]

Thank you for all of the suggestions. Right now, what I need is a place to store prints until I get a chance to frame them, which may be a month or two.

As a result, the containers don't need to be fancy.

I have a couple of 16x20 boxes from light impressions, back when they were reliable, and something just like them only bigger would be perfect.

Perhaps using some of the plastic storage bins for a department store would be ok? Perhaps the kind meant to slide under a bed? I could lay a sheet of mat board down, with a print face up on top of it. I could then use interleaving paper between prints.

[Drew Wiley]

If you're using cheapo plastic boxes look for the recycle symbol that indicates they're probably inert polyethylene. Beware of vinyl, which you can test for with a swab of acetone. Vinyl hazes with acetone, poly doesn't. But clean the container well in any event.
Large acid-fee corrugated boxes can be purchased flat for assembly yourself, but I don't
know the best source now that L.I. is allegedly flaky. Flat files often turn up used, sometimes for free. Beware of wooden or esp particleboard ones due to acid and fume issues. Old school baked enamel is best. True solander museum cases are nice but rather
expensive. But they'd be difficult to transport that big full of prints unless relatively thin.

[Drew Bedo]

Didn't the paper originally come in a box? Can't the prints go back into that box for a short while?

[Frank Petronio]

You could always hang them vertically if you left a wide margin to be trimmed or hidden when framed. That's how print shops store their active jobs, like clothes on a rack. Nothing to rub or scratch that way, and free other than the safe storage place and some inexpensive clips.

I tossed most of my large prints out of practicality - they get dinged or they weren't that great to begin with - and put the best of the rest into a sturdy, perhaps not entirely archival but high quality wood core Light Impressions carrying case that is no longer made ~ it protects them from physical damage, which to me is the greater risk than fading out after 100 years. The best thing is that the case is easy to move and secure. I am sure as Heck not spending thousands on some super flat file that I can't fill up.

If they aren't worth framing or selling after 10-20 years, then 100 years won't make much of a difference... if you end being a significant photographer in the future, it either won't matter or you'll be known for your much more prolific smaller prints... in any event, you won't be profiting because you'll be dead so why sweat it?

[Peter De Smidt]

Hi Drew, the prints were made from roll paper, and I don't want to roll them up to put them back in the box.

Frank, hanging is a good idea, and it's what I'm currently doing. The prints should dry out before being framed anyway, and hanging does a good job of that.

I'm a totally insignificant photographer, except to my family. In the short run, I'm making these prints for my wife's office at work, but hopefully they are prints that my children will want to have around.

[jeroldharter]

Peter,

What about using sheets of fome-cor? You could tape up a crude but functional box and then use a tape hinge to place a larger piece over the top for a lid. You could make it slightly oversized so you have room to get your hands in there without too much fuss. Or you could just untape one side of the box to make a flap that drops out of the way when removing prints.

[Drew Wiley]

If you take that fome-core idea to the next level and use something like 1/2" Gatorboard
you would have something a bit stronger, inert (relatively archival), and also easy to assemble. More expensive than regular fomecore, but stiffer and more moisture resistant
too. Art stores sometimes sell flat carrying cases for big prints made from lightwt corrugated styrene which is relatively safe and cheap. They're generally black and have velcro closures. Retail art store markups are generally obscene; but this is something you
could obviously shop around for, or simply copy by buying the bulk sheets. I can be glued
with any conventional styrene or model cement, and isn't difficult to cut - a fraction of the
price of honeycomb acrylic or polycarbonate.

[ROL]

Perhaps using some of the plastic storage bins for a department store would be ok? Perhaps the kind meant to slide under a bed? I could lay a sheet of mat board down, with a print face up on top of it. I could then use interleaving paper between prints.

It wasn't clear to me from your initial post what the goal was, but plastic storage bins were my first (non-archival) thought, though large enough for your prints may be difficult to find as well. Maybe the large flat XMAS storage ones? Oooh, red & green! Uline (http://www.uline.com/) is a pretty good source for general container needs. Interleaving paper good.

[frotog]

University products in Mass. can make any size box for you. I had them make half a dozen 26x38x3 clamshell boxes out of the wax coated acid free board. Cost was approx. $30 per box. Shipping, however, was oversized and cost a small fortune.

[Jim Becia]

Peter,

While expensive, Archival Methods makes a very nice museum case that holds 24x30s. It's expensive but built like a tank. I've used it when showing my work in print form. Holds quite a bit.

I have some nice boxes from Epson 24x30 paper that will hold 25 prints (that's the number of sheets that came in the box.). You can have a couple. As a matter of fact, I'll be in Oshkosh tomorrow to view the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Paine Museum. I can bring a couple boxes with me if you want them. Let me know. I'll send you a pm with my cell #. Jim

[C. D. Keth]

Search your local craigslist and furniture rehab shops. I've seen lots of printmakers' or architects' cabinets for sale here. They're tall chests of drawers, each of which is around 30 wide, roughly the same dimension long, and maybe 2 inches deep. They'll hold a whole lot of prints.

[Peter De Smidt]

Jim dropped off two boxes that are going to work very well for my short-term storage needs. Thanks!

[Vaughn]

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_2/section2_5.htm

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_2/section2_12.htm

[Peter De Smidt]

Thanks Vaughn. I hadn't come across those.

[Vaughn]

I have order quite a few boxes, etc from them. Very good quality.