Storage and Care of Kodak Photographic Materials

ManualsBrandsKodak ManualsFilmProfessional T-Max 400 Black and White Negative Film

February 2017 • CIS-2017-1

CURRENT INFORMATION SUMMARY

Storage and Care of

KODAK Photographic Materials

Before and After Processing

The photographic materials that you use to record images

deserve the same kind of care and attention as other

valuable objects. Before you expose film or paper, you must

store and handle it properly so that it can provide the finest

possible results. After exposure, proper care in processing

and in storing or displaying the negative, slide,

transparency, or print helps to preserve the long-term

usefulness of the image.

STORAGE AND HANDLING OF

UNPROCESSED PHOTOGRAPHIC

MATERIALS

Unprocessed photographic films and papers are

perishable products that can be damaged by high

temperatures and high relative humidities. Some

photographic characteristics—speed, contrast, color

balance, and fog level—change gradually after

manufacture. Adverse storage conditions accelerate these

changes. Color materials are more seriously affected than

black-and-white materials because adverse conditions

usually affect the emulsion layers to different degrees.

Kodak Alaris packages films and papers in plastic and

metal cans, foil envelopes, or polyethylene bags to protect

them from contaminants and from changes in relative

humidity. Do not open the original package until you are

ready to use the product. Specific storage instructions for

each product are printed on the package, but here are a few

general principles to keep in mind:

Use film promptly. For best results, always use film

before the expiration date printed on the package.

Keep the temperature low. You can store Kodak color

films, at temperatures up to 70/ 21°. However, you must

keep all films away from places where they are subject to

excessive heat, such as a car parked in the sun, or an attic

during the summer. The glove compartment, trunk, and

back window of a car in the sun become very hot on a warm

day. If you carry film in a car in warm weather, keep it in an

insulated bag or cooler.

We recommend that you store KODAK PROFESSIONAL

color films in their original sealed packaging under

refrigeration at 13°C (55°F) or lower to maintain consistent

performance.

Store KODAK color papers and display materials at 13°C

(55°F) or lower in their original sealed packages.

You can store unexposed black-and-white films for

short periods of time at temperatures up to 24°C (75°F).

For storage over long periods of time, maintain the

following storage temperatures for black-and-white film

whenever possible:

Warm up after refrigeration. To prevent condensation on

the surfaces of film taken from a refrigerator or freezer,

allow the package to warm up to room temperature before

breaking the seal or opening the container. Warm-up times

vary with the amount of material, the type of package, and

the storage temperature. Typical warm-up times are given

in the table below.

Note: Times are based on separating packages to allow

for good air circulation. Remove large packages and

rolls of film from refrigeration the day before you plan

to use them.

Keep the relative humidity low. Although the packaging

helps to protect the materials from moisture, exposure to a

relative humidity (RH) of 60

percent or higher for long

periods damages cardboard packages, labels, adhesives,

and metal. It also promotes the growth of bacteria, molds,

and fungi. Some species of fungi can destroy emulsions by

ingesting the gelatin.

Usually the relative humidity in refrigerators and

freezers is high, so inspect the packaging periodically for

signs of deterioration and fungus growth. Use a room

dehumidifier to keep the humidity low—ideally below

percent RH.

For storage periods up to 2 months 6 months

months

Store black-and-white films at

a temperature below

24°C

(75°F)

16°C

(60°F)

10°C

(50°F)

Size

Warm-Up Time (Hours) to Reach

Room Temperature of 21°C (70°F)

From a Storage Temperature of

-18°C

(0°F)

2°C

(35°F)

13°C

(55°F)

120 roll 1 0.75 0.5

135 magazine

1.5

1.25 1

35 mm long roll 5 3 2

10-sheet box 1.5 1 1

50-sheet box 3 2 2

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
Storage and Care of KODAK Photographic Materials Before and After Processing February 2017 • CIS-2017-1 CURRENT INFORMATION SUMMARY The photographic materials that you use to record images deserve the same kind of care and attention as other valuable objects. Before you expose film or paper, you must store and handle it properly so that it can provide the finest possible results.
PAGE 2
Store opened packages carefully. After you have PROCESSING opened the original sealed packaging, the material is no longer protected from the damaging effects of high relative humidity and atmospheric contaminants such as chemical fumes.1 For this reason, it is important to use the material promptly. The quality of processing is a very important factor in image stability. Improper processing can result in deterioration of the image. Protect film from x-rays.
PAGE 3
The storage temperature for black-and-white negatives is not as critical as for color negatives, but you should control the relative humidity. An RH below 25 percent can lead to brittleness; an RH above 60 percent encourages mold and fungus growth. Because the prints are in direct contact with the pages of a photo album, make sure that the materials in the album are suitable for long-term storage of photographs.
PAGE 4
© 2017 Kodak Alaris Inc. TM: Edge, Endura, Portra and Royal, the Kodak and Kodak Professional Trademarks are used under license from Eastman Kodak Company. Storage and Care of KODAK Photographic Materials KODAK Publication No.