Tintype Care and Handling Guide

Your tintype is a direct positive photograph made on a thin metal plate coated with a dark lacquer and a light-sensitive emulsion. The image layer sits on top of that coating and is vulnerable to abrasion, moisture, and mechanical stress. The guidance below is conservative by design — when in doubt, do less.

Note for conservators and cautious owners: recommendations marked ⚠️ are areas where best practice can vary depending on the condition of your specific plate. If your tintype shows flaking, cracking, or active deterioration, consult a photograph conservator before doing anything.

Safe Holding

• Keep fingers away from the image surface at all times. Hold by the edges only.

Cleaning Limits

• Do not attempt to clean the image surface. Dry brushing or wiping can abrade the thin emulsion and cause irreversible loss.
• If dust has settled on the surface, use a very soft, clean blower (a photographic air bulb, not compressed air) to remove loose particles at a low angle. Do not touch the surface with the blower tip.
• ⚠️ Do not use water, solvents, or proprietary cleaning products on the image side unless directed by a conservator. The lacquer and emulsion layers are not waterproof.
• The back of the plate can be gently wiped with a barely damp cloth if there is surface grime, but allow it to dry fully before storing.

Moisture and Temperature

• Avoid kitchens, bathrooms, cellars, and any space prone to condensation.
• Rapid temperature changes cause expansion and contraction that stress the image layer. Do not move a cold plate directly into a warm room — allow it to acclimatise gradually in its packaging.
• A stable domestic environment is suitable for long-term display.

Bending and Flexing

• Never bend, roll, or flex the plate. Even small deformations can crack the image layer.
• Do not store tintypes in flexible sleeves that allow lateral movement, or in any configuration where other objects can press unevenly on the surface.
  

Framing and Matting

• Use conservation-grade (acid-free, lignin-free) mat board and backing board. Standard card or cardboard contains acids that migrate and stain over time.
• ⚠️ The mat window should hold the tintype without direct contact between the glass and the image surface. A spacer or deep rebate keeps glass off the plate.
• Do not use ordinary glass directly against the image. If glazing, use conservation-grade glass or acrylic that filters UV. Anti-reflective coatings designed for photographs are preferable to standard picture glass.
• Ensure the frame backing is fully sealed to keep out dust, insects, and fluctuating humidity.
  

Reusable Care Note for Order Thank-You Messages

Caring for your tintype:  Store away from moisture and rapid temperature changes, and frame using acid-free materials with a spacer to keep glass off the surface. Treated with care, your tintype will remain a lasting keepsake.