Archive

Archiving is the process of permanently preserving images or data.

All archiving has two aspects — cataloguing and preservation

The following preservation strategies are in use:

Archiving negatives and transparencies is done by preserving them in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Negatives preserved in this way can remain in good condition for more than 100 years.
Images can be archived by printing onto archival paper with archival quality inks and preserved in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, as with negatives. Archival papers with a life of more than 100 years are commonly available.
Computer files can be kept on non-volatile media, such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. However, non-volatile media may have a realistic life of 20 years. DVD+R has much better archival characteristics than DVD-R or CD-ROM. CD-RW and DVD-RW are not suitable for archiving. Taiyo Yuden are considered to be the best manufacturer for archival media.
- Optical media should be kept out of direct sunlight, cool, and in acid free containers
- Always use printable media, which can then be labelled directly with a pen (not a ball-point)
Backup tapes for computer files are designed for long-term storage, and considered by many to be the only worthwhile computer archival solution
Computer files can be kept on an active array, such as a file-storage system, which is protected with its own backup regime