Remember that photo your mom used to show you of your grandparents? Or the snapshot of your parents when they were young, vibrant, and full of life? Those images do more than just document time, they connect generations.

Framing and preserving your family photos is a powerful way to keep those stories alive. But time, light, and improper handling can damage these keepsakes if you’re not careful.

Here’s your complete guide to preserving, digitizing, and framing family photos so your memories can be shared for years (and generations) to come.

Step 1: How to Handle Old Photos Safely

Before you scan, frame, or store your family photos, it's important to handle them with care.

• Wash your hands before touching any prints. Oils and dirt can cause staining. Work on a clean, dry surface and avoid food or drinks nearby.

• Wear cotton gloves, if possible, especially when handling delicate prints.

• Avoid bending or stacking photos roughly: flatten and sort them gently.

Environmental Tips:

• Store in a cool, dry place (below 75°F is best).

• Keep relative humidity below 65% to prevent mold, but not lower than 15%, which can cause brittleness.

• Limit light exposure; even indoor light can fade prints over time.

Step 2: How to Digitize Family Photos

Scanning your family photos not only preserves them, but it also opens endless ways to restore, reprint, and share them.

• Use a high-resolution scanner (300 DPI is ideal for print quality).

• Save images as high-quality JPEGs or TIFF files for editing flexibility.

• Handle originals with care while scanning to avoid damage.

• Back up your files on an external drive or cloud storage to ensure they're safe.

Digitizing gives you the freedom to reprint images on archival paper, share them with loved ones, or even restore aged and damaged photos.

Step 3: How to Restore Old Photos

Once your photos are scanned, restoration is easier than you think:

• Use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Express, or Luminar to adjust brightness, contrast, and color.

• Use the Spot Healing Brush to remove dust, scratches, and blemishes.

• Don’t want to DIY? Professional photo restoration services can digitally repair even severely damaged images.

Tip: Keep an untouched version of your scan before editing so you always have the original file.

Step 4: Best Practices for Framing Family Photos

Framing your family photos turns memories into meaningful décor, but it also protects them. Here’s how to frame them the right way:

Choose Archival Materials

• Print re-scanned images on archival-quality photo paper.

  • Use acid-free mats, backings, and foamcore to prevent yellowing and deterioration.

  • Want to write a note or date on the back? Use a pencil, not pen or marker, to avoid ink damage.
    
    

Use UV Protective Framing

• Select UV-protective acrylic when framing. It helps prevent fading from light exposure, just like sunscreen for your photos.

• Combine with acid-free foamcore backing to keep the image secure and stable inside the frame.

• For heirloom pieces, avoid hanging in direct sunlight, bathrooms, or humid environments.

How to Prevent Framed Photos from Fading

Even after framing, your photos can still fade over time, especially if they’re exposed to light, heat, or fluctuating humidity. Here’s how to protect them:

✅ Use UV-filtering acrylic: This blocks out harmful ultraviolet rays that cause color loss and paper breakdown. Look for options labeled UV-protective or museum-grade.

✅ Avoid direct sunlight: Hang your frames on walls that get indirect or low light. Even with UV protection, consistent direct sun can cause fading.

✅ Control the environment: Keep framedphotos in areas with stable temperature and humidity. Avoid spots near windows, heating vents, or bathrooms.

✅ Print on archival paper: If you’re reprinting, choose acid-free, lignin-free photo paper designed to resist fading and chemical breakdown.

✅ Frame copies, not originals: If the photo is truly irreplaceable, consider storing the original in an archival box and framing a high-quality reproduction instead.

Start Framing Your History

Framed family photos aren’t just art; they’re a gift to future generations. Whether you’re preserving a black-and-white portrait or restoring a photo album from decades past, framing your memories with care helps them last a lifetime (and beyond).

Ready to get started? Explore custom framing options that include UV protection and archival materials or upload your photo to design a frame that fits your style and your story.

Share your story with us!

We’d love to see the moments you’re preserving. Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with #FramingJoy to show how you’ve turned your memories into timeless keepsakes.