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Does anyone have experience using (or better yet: designing) cold storage for photographs and film?

Most of the references I have found are two or three decades old and detail workarounds using commercial refrigeration with double-sealed containers rather than designing an optimal temperature and humidity-controlled environment. 

According to my research, cold storage is essential for preserving C-prints and film, but also benefits long-term preservation for the full range of photographic materials. Many facilities use 40 degrees and 40 RH as the best compromise environment for all photographic media, but some also use sub-zero storage for film and color prints.A 55 degree/ 40 RH acclimation room is sometimes used to bring prints to room temperature gradually, reduce warm air in the cooler, and to a storage/work environment for less sensitive prints. The workaround solution seems to be styrofoam coolers with sealed cartons.

I would love to hear from anyone who has worked with cold storage...

• How have you managed temperature/humidity transitions?


• Do you use an acclimation room and if so, for how long?


• Where is the line where the risks of transition exceed the benefits of cold storage because the object comes out too often for exhibition or study?


• What temperature/ humidity ranges did your institution decide to use and why?


• Is inventory and collections management difficult in the cold environment and what are your solutions?


• Is air circulation a problem with dense storage?


• Can you recommend consultants/ contractors with specialized expertise?

Does anyone have experience using (or better yet: designing) cold storage for photographs and film?

Most of the references I have found are two or three decades old and detail workarounds using commercial refrigeration with double-sealed containers rather than designing an optimal temperature and humidity-controlled environment. 

According to my research, cold storage is essential for preserving C-prints and film, but also benefits long-term preservation for the full range of photographic materials. Many facilities use 40 degrees and 40 RH as the best compromise environment for all photographic media, but some also use sub-zero storage for film and color prints.A 55 degree/ 40 RH acclimation room is sometimes used to bring prints to room temperature gradually, reduce warm air in the cooler, and to a storage/work environment for less sensitive prints. The workaround solution seems to be styrofoam coolers with sealed cartons.

I would love to hear from anyone who has worked with cold storage...

• How have you managed temperature/humidity transitions?


• Do you use an acclimation room and if so, for how long?


• Where is the line where the risks of transition exceed the benefits of cold storage because the object comes out too often for exhibition or study?


• What temperature/ humidity ranges did your institution decide to use and why?


• Is inventory and collections management difficult in the cold environment and what are your solutions?


• Is air circulation a problem with dense storage?


• Can you recommend consultants/ contractors with specialized expertise?

Does anyone have experience using (or better yet: designing) cold storage for photographs and film?

Most of the references I have found are two or three decades old and detail workarounds using commercial refrigeration with double-sealed containers rather than designing an optimal temperature and humidity-controlled environment. 

According to my research, cold storage is essential for preserving C-prints and film, but also benefits long-term preservation for the full range of photographic materials. Many facilities use 40 degrees and 40 RH as the best compromise environment for all photographic media, but some also use sub-zero storage for film and color prints.A 55 degree/ 40 RH acclimation room is sometimes used to bring prints to room temperature gradually, reduce warm air in the cooler, and to a storage/work environment for less sensitive prints. The workaround solution seems to be styrofoam coolers with sealed cartons.

I would love to hear from anyone who has worked with cold storage...

• How have you managed temperature/humidity transitions?


• Do you use an acclimation room and if so, for how long?


• Where is the line where the risks of transition exceed the benefits of cold storage because the object comes out too often for exhibition or study?


• What temperature/ humidity ranges did your institution decide to use and why?


• Is inventory and collections management difficult in the cold environment and what are your solutions?


• Is air circulation a problem with dense storage?


• Can you recommend consultants/ contractors with specialized expertise?

Does anyone have experience using (or better yet: designing) cold storage for photographs and film?

Most of the references I have found are two or three decades old and detail workarounds using commercial refrigeration with double-sealed containers rather than designing an optimal temperature and humidity-controlled environment. 

According to my research, cold storage is essential for preserving C-prints and film, but also benefits long-term preservation for the full range of photographic materials. Many facilities use 40 degrees and 40 RH as the best compromise environment for all photographic media, but some also use sub-zero storage for film and color prints.A 55 degree/ 40 RH acclimation room is sometimes used to bring prints to room temperature gradually, reduce warm air in the cooler, and to a storage/work environment for less sensitive prints. The workaround solution seems to be styrofoam coolers with sealed cartons.

I would love to hear from anyone who has worked with cold storage...

• How have you managed temperature/humidity transitions?


• Do you use an acclimation room and if so, for how long?


• Where is the line where the risks of transition exceed the benefits of cold storage because the object comes out too often for exhibition or study?


• What temperature/ humidity ranges did your institution decide to use and why?


• Is inventory and collections management difficult in the cold environment and what are your solutions?


• Is air circulation a problem with dense storage?


• Can you recommend consultants/ contractors with specialized expertise?

Does anyone have experience using (or better yet: designing) cold storage for photographs and film?

Most of the references I have found are two or three decades old and detail workarounds using commercial refrigeration with double-sealed containers rather than designing an optimal temperature and humidity-controlled environment. 

According to my research, cold storage is essential for preserving C-prints and film, but also benefits long-term preservation for the full range of photographic materials. Many facilities use 40 degrees and 40 RH as the best compromise environment for all photographic media, but some also use sub-zero storage for film and color prints.A 55 degree/ 40 RH acclimation room is sometimes used to bring prints to room temperature gradually, reduce warm air in the cooler, and to a storage/work environment for less sensitive prints. The workaround solution seems to be styrofoam coolers with sealed cartons.

I would love to hear from anyone who has worked with cold storage...

• How have you managed temperature/humidity transitions?


• Do you use an acclimation room and if so, for how long?


• Where is the line where the risks of transition exceed the benefits of cold storage because the object comes out too often for exhibition or study?


• What temperature/ humidity ranges did your institution decide to use and why?


• Is inventory and collections management difficult in the cold environment and what are your solutions?


• Is air circulation a problem with dense storage?


• Can you recommend consultants/ contractors with specialized expertise?