If you have an old-school polaroid camera, here’s everything you need to know to keep taking beautiful pictures for as long as you like.  But before we get into the care of polaroid pictures, let’s take a look at how it all began.

How It All Started

The magic and allure of polaroids dates back to 1948.  However, they didn’t get really popular until the 1970’s and 1980’s.  The Polaroid corporation went bankrupt in 2001 and briefly went out of business.  However, they came back on the scene 7 years later and have been going strong ever since.  

Polaroid pictures are so nostalgic because they harken back to the time when we had to actually drop off our camera film before we could see what was on it.  Remember that?  And in today’s world of digital cameras and film, polaroids stand out because we are able to actually hold and feel the image just created.  In this instant gratification world that we live in, we are able to have a physical picture immediately with polaroid pictures.

What size frame do I need for a polaroid picture?

The size of an original polaroid picture is 4.233 x 3.483 inches (or 10.752 x 8.847 cm).  The Polaroid SX-70, 600 and i-Type film all produce film in this size.  If you want to frame a polaroid picture, it needs to hold film of this size (4.2 x 3.5 inches)

What size is a Polaroid Photo frame?

As we mentioned earlier, the size of an original polaroid picture is 4.233 x 3.483 inches (or 10.752 x 8.847 cm).

Can you frame polaroids?

Of course you can frame a polaroid picture!  Just make sure that the picture frame can hold the polaroid.  Now, we know that can be difficult to find.  That’s why at Unique Family Treasures, we have picture frames that specifically fit the original polaroids.  Our dual polaroid picture frame is our most popular frame for polaroids.  Get yours by clicking HERE.

But people love our glitter polaroid picture frame, too.  And if you like the glitter polaroid picture frame and are thinking about getting one, I suggest that you get one now.  These are in high demand and run out of stock quickly.  And because of supply chain issues, we don’t always know when we’ll be able to get more inventory of this product.  So, if we have them in stock, get one by clicking HERE.  We’re positive that you will love them.

How do you make a polaroid frame?

We have no idea how to DIY a polaroid frame.  But we do sell some pretty cool polaroid frames that you can check out by clicking HERE.

Do polaroid pictures fade?

Unfortunately, yes, polaroid pictures can fade, yellow and become brittle over time.  There are 3 things that will cause a polaroid picture to fade over time.

1. Moisture
2. Light - Exposure to the sun
3. Heat - Fluctuations in temperature

Heat, dampness, humidity and the UV rays from the sun will alter the chemicals in a polaroid picture and damage it.  You will know that the picture is damaged because it will start to yellow and/or fade.  So try to avoid placing your polaroid pictures in these environments on a long-term basis to prevent damage and aging.  Because once the photo is damaged, that’s it!  You can’t undo the fading or yellowing.  

It’s important to take great care in handling and storing your polaroid pictures.  We suggest never touching the actual photo portion of the polaroid.  Only touch the white frame portion of the polaroid pictures.  And make sure that your hands are clean because oil and dirt can smudge or damage polaroids.  

And never cut a polaroid picture because that can cause damage too.

We also strongly recommend storing polaroid pictures in frames, photo boxes or albums to slow down the aging process.  

Do polaroids expire?

All polaroid film have expiration dates.  On the bottom of each package of film, you will find it stamped with a production date.  Its expiration date is a year after its production date.  For the best results, try to use your polaroid film within 12 months of its production date.  

You can use your polaroid film after its expiration date.  However, the chemicals in the film may change and degrade its performance over time.  Therefore, you might not get the best picture result if you use expired film.  So be aware of the production and expiration dates and try to adhere to them.

Do polaroids last forever?

Nothing lasts forever.  But Polaroid photos can last years - even decades - if they are stored properly.  Ideally, polaroid pictures should be kept in an environment that’s cool, dry and dark. 

Where should I put my polaroid photos?

We highly recommend storing your photos in our photo storage boxes.  You can store up to 100 polaroid pictures in our Polaroid Photo Storage Box.  This box allows original polaroid film to be stored in a cool, dark place and blocks exposure to the sun, moisture and dirt.  These boxes are decorative and look get on a shelf, in a bookcase or desk.  Plus, people love to use them as alternative wedding guest books.

If you have a Instax Mini Camera, then 

And as we stated earlier, pictures frames are a great way to store your polaroid pictures also.

Does the sun ruin polaroids?

Yes.  As stated above, direct exposure to the sun is one of the 3 things that can damage a polaroid picture or cause it to yellow or fade.  Neda Ulaby of NPR News stated that the ultraviolet light breaks down the emulsion in the film which causes the film to yellow or fade.. And once this happens, the damage is irreversible. 

Should you shake polaroids?

I mean, why do people fan polaroids?  Even though Outkast tells us to “shake it like a polaroid picture”, you actually shouldn’t.  Not sure where this practice came from of shaking a polaroid picture in order to get it to develop faster.  But it should be avoided.  Here’s why.  A polaroid picture is structured as a series of layers, one on top of the other. Brooklyn-based photographer, Bjorn Peterson says that a series of chemicals and dyes are sandwiched between the layers.  And if you vigorously shake that polaroid, there is a small chance that “you might create unwanted bubbles or marks between some of the layers, causing flaws in the final image.”

Now, there’s only a slight chance that shaking your polaroid picture will actually harm it.  But if a picture is worth a thousand words and captures a moment in time that will never happen again, why risk it?  

So instead of shaking it, simply place your polaroid on a flat surface, face down or face up,  away from the sunlight and let it develop on its own.

Can I put my polaroid film in the fridge?

Yes, you can.  But this applies to unopened, sealed film packs only.  Don’t store opened film packs or actual polaroid pictures in the refrigerator.  Polaroid says to store your film on a flat surface in a temperature-controlled fridge between 41 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

And this is important - make sure that your film doesn't freeze.  I know that my fridge can get really cold and sometimes items in my fridge will actually freeze.  You don’t want that.  You don’t want to freeze your film because it will actually damage the chemistry and the film itself.  And as a result, the film may not perform properly and may render it useless.

Recap: Taking Care of Your Polaroids is Easy

Polaroid pictures can be delicate, so it is important to handle them carefully to ensure that they last for as long as possible. Here are some tips for caring for your Polaroid pictures:

1. Store your pictures in a cool, dry place: Avoid storing your Polaroid pictures in humid or damp environments, as this can cause the prints to fade or become discolored over time.

2. Avoid exposing your pictures to direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause your Polaroid pictures to fade, so it is best to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

3. Handle your pictures carefully: Avoid bending or creasing your Polaroid pictures, and be sure to handle them by the edges to avoid getting fingerprints on the prints.

4. Consider framing your pictures: Framing your Polaroid pictures can help to protect them from damage and ensure that they last for as long as possible.

5. Digital copies: If you have digital copies of your Polaroid pictures, consider storing them in a cloud storage service or on an external hard drive to ensure that you have a backup in case something happens to the physical prints.

By following these simple steps, you can help to preserve your Polaroid pictures for years to come.

Alrightly then, now you know everything you need to take care of those polaroid pictures.  You know how to preserve and care for them.  And you even learned about some cool accessories that will help you store them.  So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and start taking polaroid pictures.  And don’t forget to post some in the comments so we can admire them.