Negatives are irreplaceable originals. Every scan, every print comes from these fragile strips of film. Proper handling and care ensures they remain usable for decades or centuries.

This guide covers handling techniques, cleaning methods, storage solutions, and damage prevention.

Handling Negatives Safely

The Golden Rule

Never touch the emulsion surface. Handle negatives only by the edges or rebate (non-image area).

Why Handling Matters

Fingerprints:

Contain oils and acids
Etch into emulsion permanently
Become visible in prints and scans
Cannot be fully removed once set

Scratches:

Visible in every print and scan
Base scratches (shiny side) can sometimes be reduced
Emulsion scratches are permanent

Dust and debris:

Attracts more particles
Can scratch when wiped
Shows in enlargements

Proper Handling Technique

Wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling.

Consider cotton or nitrile gloves for valuable negatives.

Hold film by the edges, pinching between thumb and finger on the rebate.

For sheet film, use both hands at opposite corners.

Work over a clean, lint-free surface.

Gloves: When to Use Them

Cotton gloves:

Absorb skin oils
Traditional archival choice
Can snag on film edges

Nitrile gloves:

Provide good grip
No lint
Preferred by many archivists

When essential:

Handling sheet film
Working with valuable/irreplaceable negatives
Extended handling sessions

Some professionals prefer nitrile gloves over cotton, as cotton can leave fibres. Either works — the key is not touching the emulsion directly with bare skin.

Cleaning Negatives

Prevention First

Minimise cleaning needs by:

Handling properly from the start
Using anti-static practices
Storing correctly
Working in clean environments

Dust Removal

Rocket blower:

Most common tool
No propellant residue
Use before every scan
Blow at angle across surface

Canned air:

Powerful burst
Can leave propellant residue
Keep can upright
Use sparingly

Anti-static brushes:

Kinetronics StaticWisk popular
Neutralises static charge
Use with gentle strokes
Brush in one direction only

Cleaning Solutions

PEC-12:

Professional film cleaner
Removes fingerprints, oils, residue
Non-abrasive
Apply with PEC pads

Isopropyl alcohol (99%):

Evaporates cleanly
Use sparingly
Test on rebate first
Can affect some dyes if overused

Film cleaner technique:

Apply small amount of cleaner to lint-free pad.

Wipe gently in one direction (never circular).

Use dry portion of pad to remove residue.

Allow to dry completely before handling.

Warning

Aggressive cleaning can cause more damage than the original problem. When in doubt, leave it alone. For valuable negatives, consult a conservator.

Anti-Newton Ring Treatment

Newton rings appear when film contacts glass in scanning.

Solutions:

Anti-Newton ring spray (Kami, Edwal)
Mount film with emulsion down
Use glass-less carriers
ANR glass holders

Storage Solutions

Archival Sleeve Materials

Safe materials:

Material	Properties	Notes
Polypropylene	Clear, inert	Most common choice
Polyethylene	Clear, inert	Similar to polypropylene
Polyester (Mylar)	Very stable, stiff	Premium option
Acid-free glassine	Translucent paper	Traditional, some prefer

Avoid:

Material	Problem
PVC	Releases acids, damages film
Kraft paper (regular)	Usually acidic
Plastic envelopes (generic)	Often PVC or unstable

Sleeve Formats

35mm:

Individual frames in horizontal strips (6 frames typical)
Full roll in continuous pages
PrintFile 35-7B (7 strips of 5) popular

120 film:

Usually 3-4 frames per strip
PrintFile 120-4B (4 strips of 3) common

Sheet film:

Individual sleeves per sheet
Larger binder pages
Interleaving recommended

Storage Containers

Archival binders:

Ring binders with archival pages
Keep upright to prevent pressure
Don't overfill

Archival boxes:

Acid-free construction
Various sizes for different formats
Can store flat or on edge

Hanging file systems:

Suspended filing prevents pressure
Popular for professional volumes

Environmental Conditions

Ideal:

Temperature: 15-20°C (cooler is better)
Relative humidity: 30-40%
Dark storage
Away from pollutants

Practical home storage:

Climate-controlled room
Not basement (humid) or attic (hot)
Away from exterior walls
Consistent conditions preferred over temperature extremes

Organisation Systems

Labelling

Essential information:

Roll number or date
Camera and film stock
Subject/location
Development details (optional but useful)

Labelling methods:

Archival pen on sleeve margin
Printed labels
Separate index cards
Digital database

Cataloguing

Physical index:

Notebook with roll numbers
Reference contact sheets
Notes on important frames

Digital catalogue:

Spreadsheet with roll info
Link to scanned files
Searchable database
Backup the database

Contact Sheet Organisation

Traditional method:

Contact sheet in sleeve front
Negatives behind
Roll number on each

Digital alternative:

Low-resolution scans as digital contacts
Reference to physical storage location
Faster searching

Damage Prevention

Common Causes of Damage

Physical:

Scratches from careless handling
Creases from bending
Tears from forced removal from sleeves
Pressure marks from tight storage

Chemical:

Residual fixer causing yellowing
Acidic storage materials
Contamination from other materials
Humidity-related chemistry changes

Environmental:

Fungus from high humidity
Fading from light exposure
Brittleness from extreme dryness
Warping from temperature changes

Prevention Strategies

Handling:

Always use clean hands or gloves
Support full length of film strips
Never force film into tight sleeves
Cut strips to fit sleeves properly

Storage:

Archival materials only
Climate control when possible
Inspect periodically
Isolate any damaged material

Processing:

Wash thoroughly
Use washing aid for archival permanence
Dry properly (squeegee for base side only)
Don't rush drying

Dealing with Damage

Scratches

Base scratches (shiny side):

Often reducible with scanning oil or wet mounting
Edwal No-Scratch can help
ICE/Digital ICE on infrared-capable scanners

Emulsion scratches:

Permanent damage
Digital retouching only solution
Cannot be optically corrected

Fingerprints

Fresh fingerprints:

May clean with PEC-12 immediately
Success depends on speed

Set fingerprints:

Usually permanent
May require digital correction
Prevention is key

Fungus

Identification:

Web-like patterns on emulsion
Spots or patches
Often starts at edges

Treatment:

Isolate affected negatives immediately
Clean with isopropyl alcohol (test first)
Improve storage conditions
May be permanently damaged

Prevention:

Control humidity (below 60% RH)
Clean equipment
Proper drying before storage

Curling and Warping

Causes:

Improper drying
Environmental changes
Natural tendency of some films

Flattening:

Humidify slightly then press under weight
Use archival blotter paper
Don't force—may crack brittle film

Vinegar Syndrome (Acetate Base)

What it is:

Acetate film base degrades, releasing acetic acid
Self-catalysing—gets worse once started
Smells like vinegar

Affected films:

Primarily pre-2000 films
Safety film from 1930s-1990s most at risk

Action:

Isolate affected negatives
Cold storage slows but doesn't stop
Scan immediately—deterioration continues
Specialist archival consultation for valuable materials

Scanning Preparation

Pre-Scan Cleaning

Inspect negative under bright light.

Use rocket blower to remove loose dust.

If needed, gentle brush with anti-static brush.

For stubborn spots, careful PEC-12 treatment.

Allow to dry completely.

Final blow-off immediately before scanning.

Static Control

Static attracts dust. Control it with:

Anti-static brushes
Grounding (touch metal)
Humidity control (not too dry)
Anti-static wipes on scanner glass

Scanner Glass Care

Keep scanner glass clean:

Dust on glass = dust in every scan
Clean with optical cleaner and microfibre
Inspect before scanning sessions

Summary