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Make 'Em Last

Who wants faded photos? Follow these tips to preserve your digital prints.

1. Choose a six-color ink jet printer for better color quality, and invest in the vendor's recommended photo paper for longest print life.

2. Store prints in an album: They will last longer than framed photos. But avoid albums with self-stick "magnetic" pages and PVC plastic covers.

3. Slip the prints you want to display in frames under glass (preferably with an anti-UV coating). Don't leave them exposed to open air.

4. Use aluminum frames: They're lightweight and unaffected by humidity.

5. Put an acid-free mat between the frame and the photo to prevent your prints from sticking to the glass or plastic over time.

6. Keep prints out of direct sunlight and humid rooms (such as bathrooms and basements), and away from intense heat (don't keep them in attics or kitchens or near heaters).

7. Make sure ink jet prints are very dry before you stack them, so they won't stick together (wait at least 24 hours).

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