When you store your books, paintings, photos, textiles or other materials in your personal collections, be sure to choose storage products that meet archival standards. For example, you should look for products described or labeled as:

• Acid free
• Alkaline or Carbonate buffered
• Lignin free
• "Meets ANSI permanent paper standards"
• Plastic products should be labeled "PAT," which means that the product has passed the Photographic Activity Test

Note: You may use non-archival materials for boxes or protective enclosures if they do not directly touch the paper or object.

Suppliers of Museum and Archival-Quality Storage Products

• Gaylord Brothers
• Hollinger Metal Edge
• University Products
• Urbanski Film

Audio/Video/Film Preservation and Digitization Vendors

• Central Video Services, LLC
• George Blood, L.P.
• Holder Printworks 
• Scenesavers

Scanning and Photo Retouching

• Burne Photo Imaging Inc. 

Please Note: The information presented here is not intended to provide comprehensive technical advice or instructions on preservation issues. Any information contained or referenced is meant to provide a basic understanding of preservation practices and does not constitute an endorsement by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Have Questions?

askcollectionscare@wisconsinhistory.org