Printed Picture Tips Make prints last by taking a few precautions
. Prints fade from exposure to light, moisture, extreme temperatures, and chemicals, such as ozone. The photos on the next page give you a good idea of how much more ozone affects prints that light does. I can back that up by my own experiences with prints I put up on the wall with clear packing tape. While the prints eventually faded overtime the parts under the tape still looked like "new"! When framing I recommend displaying your photos behind glass or plastic and avoid prolonged exposure to bright light sources. Even a constant mild light exposure may fade a print. For photos you're not framing I recommend storing them in albums, cases or plastic sleeves. If you can afford it it's nice to also have a second copy stored in a safe place. Paper Tips To give paper it's maximum longevity, it must be lignin free (without wood) and acid free. Always look for cotton-based papers that are specifically made for inkjet printers. The 4" x 6" size is the most common. That's because it's ideal for photo albums and to share. And because of that, be careful not to just print 4x6's. Experiment with different paper sizes and types like; canvas or metallic. You'll be glad you did when you find the papers that reflect more of your personality in your prints. Professional quality shots always look great at 13" x 19". 13x19 is used because you can print a 12" x 18" image (without cropping, when using the 35 mm format) and include a 1/2 inch border all the way around the image. It's now more popular than ever because it's the largest-sized paper a desktop inkjet printer can print. There are good deals to be found on 11x17 because of the 13x19's popularity. Want to learn more tips and tricks about ink and paper? Go to http://www.freephotopaper.com/ink-guide-offer.htm