Photo  printing Tips and Paper Buying Tips

• When printing photos, wait at least one week before putting in any frame or photo album.
• Even fast drying papers should cure overnight; if possible, wait 24 hours to cut, handle etc. or put into envelopes for mailing.
• Don't put more than 10 or so sheets in printer (avoiding jams)
• High humidity may affect prints; anything above 80% humidity or over 90 degrees;  could cause bubbling of ink or evaporation of ink when Sharpie or other writing implement is used on the photo. Any temperature below 15 degrees and lower than 20% humidity could cause other problems (cracking etc).  If the harsher of conditions exist, it's best to store FLAT in a plastic sealed container.
• Use good quality ink when using good quality paper; ie don't use refill cartridges etc; use the ink that goes with your printer.
• Better printers use better inks so use better paper to get the best quality photos you can.
• Don't be fooled by paper that says "Ultra", "Premium" etc.  The reason is these phrases are overused and quality will still vary from paper to paper. 
• Price is not an indicator of quality.  Please see chart "Paper Comparisons" to see that the one star paper is the most costly paper.  Meaning the worst quality paper was the most costly. Price is a general indicator of quality, but not always!
• Pick qualities that are most important to you.  Most people look for fast drying, non-smudging, even printing.  Cost is a factor to some people, but remember that if a paper costs less but you have to throw out half of it due to terrible quality, it might end up costing you more in the long run.
• The most difficult difficult to achieve color-wise in printing are realistic metallic, flesh tones and black/very dark blue that doesn't come out "matte".   If you are printing out primary colors, simple colors etc, a moderate paper will be cheaper and fit the bill.  But if printing a portrait, you'll want a paper that prints flesh tones out well.  Only the very best paper will print out black that doesn't smudge, absorb too much ink or turn out matte.  So if you have a photo with a LOT of black in it, go for the best paper.

Storage of prints/autographs/photos Tips: 

• Keeping out of direct sunlight; sunlight causes fading, yellowing and drying (which can lead to cracking of some substances).
• Paper should be stored flat (see next bullet if binders are used).
• If stored in binders, use binder stiffeners (hard plastic inserts that go in front and backs of binder to keep pages from curing under the metal rings).
• Always look for "archival safe" and/or "acid free" when choosing poly sheets in binders. The binders themselves don't have to be acid free if appropriate sheets are used.
• If being framed, use acid free backings and acid free mattes
• If stored in boxes, make sure boxes are acid free or "archival safe" OR if put into plastic containers, use acid free tissue paper on top and bottom of container.
• If stored in boxes or containers, desiccant packets can be used in storage boxes to keep help keep moisture out. So if your items are stored in a higher humidity area like a wet basement or attic (in a humid location), put these packets (commonly found in clothing pockets, shoe boxes etc) in with your box of autographs or photos.  They are long lasting (perhaps indefinitely) and if they break open, they will not harm your items.  I am not sure of the amounts to use because it's based on a math formula (and I am horrible in math; sorry).  But I would gage it by clothing items.  For example, one packet per item like a coat or pair of shoes, would be equal most likely to a shoe box worth or photos/autographs.  This is a conservative and probably safe bet.
• Storage should not be located in high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Storage should not be in extreme temperature changes (basements or attics unless the basements are heated and the attics are well ventilated and the area where you live is not extreme (ie Arizona Desert or Alaska etc).
• If hanging things like autographs, cloth, painting and prints etc on walls that are OUTSIDE walls to your home, make sure the wall temperature is not that extreme (ie well insulated) because temperatures change with seasons and causes expansion and contracting of glass, frames, mattes and possibly the item itself.  This could cause instability of item.
• Moth balls are probably not a good idea.  To protect from bugs, poly sheets or airtight containers will be sufficient. Bugs don't like vinyl/plastic etc.
• Never use glue on backs of photos, or photo corners, or scotch tape on photos
• Don't laminate photos; laminating will eventually start to peel apart.  Bubbling may also occur.
• Don't use photo binders where the sheets stick to the page; most are not archival safe (will yellow) and if photos are taken out and the page is peeled on and off again, the photo can be damaged quite easily.
• Cigarette and other smoke can damage paper and cloth items irrevocably.  It not only yellows the item, but causes a smell that will take months or years to get rid of.
• When cleaning framed photos, do not put cleaning fluids directly onto glass as the fluid can leak behind the image and ruin the item.  Never use anything other than a dry cloth or duster over photos directly and never "rub" spots.