Reddit mentions: The best storage & presentation boxes

Some ideas that have worked well for me/others:

Aging Parents - Kind of expensive (fluctuates a ton) but if you have a parent with a ton of photos who talks about scanning them all in someday, this scanner is fantastic. I have the older version and it's literally so easy to use that even my mom and dad could figure it out when I let them borrow it. Not a great bulk doc scanner but exactly what you need for photos. Pair with a case like this to store the originals in and you've done a great deed.

Newlyweds- If they don't have specific interests, a picnic blanket goes over well. I have the one linked and it's nice for the cheap price. Pair with some wine, maybe some other picnic accessories. I'm also giving a minted gift for a custom designed print for wedding photos to my brother/new sister-in-law.

Teens- Move beyond the selfie stick - some phone lenses go a long way, get a self timer for the phone, or a PowerCore. The powercore isn't sexy but super loved by all. I usually hit up BaubleBar or Sephora for deals too.

Handyman- I shoved this cheap light in my husband's stocking last year and he loves it. It's super handy.

Homebody- This is out of stock in the best size right now but it always comes back in. It is the softest blanket ever, doesn't shed, and we bought them for every room of the house.

Dog- What dog doesn't love bully sticks? A good deal, really good quality and my dogs have loved them.

On my wishlist- A milk frother, The Food Lab cookbook, a magnetic pincushion, maybe some Ugg slippers, a bunch of Etsy art and Essie gel couture nail polish. Debating a special purchase for myself with a bonus I received, I'm thinking a camera for a big trip coming up if I can find the right holiday deal.

Four steps, really.

1. Identify the problem area. If you can do this, you can move on. Shoes laying all over? Clothing on the floor constantly? Overflow of hair products? You need to notice the problems before you can fix them. Make a list of these areas and tackle them one by one.
   
   
2. Purge what isn't 110% essential. Because extra crap makes your life that much harder. Be ruthless.
   
   
3. Come up with an organizational plan for the area. So maybe you need a shoe shelf, or some clear little boxes for your makeup. Everything needs to have a home. Going to places like Bed Bath and Beyond or Home Depot/Lowes can be super helpful in getting ideas of how to physically organize stuff. My favorite organizational tools are: photo boxes, wicker boxes or buckets, and plastic bins of many shapes and sizes. Label everything, that way you don't have to dig through multiple boxes to find stuff. This step honestly takes a fair bit of monetary investment, but the return is just huge mentally.
   
   

4. Make a habit out of being organized/tidy. At first this is super hard, but once you get rolling, it's incredibly rewarding and decreases your stress level by about a hundred-fold. It was suggested to me by my ADHD coach to make a schedule for doing things, but it turned out to be easier for me to just do things as I saw them- the trick for me was to ACTUALLY do them.
   

   
   

   Let me know if you want more info or help! I LOVE organizing now! It's such an incredible feeling to be in control of your life.
   

   
   

   Also, some inspo: http://www.reddit.com/r/organizationporn
   

   
   

   )

Sometimes the easiest formats are the most effective. Here's one:

1. Purchase a nice portfolio/clamshell/presentation box and get fast shipping; these are sold on Amazon.
   
2. Source some really nice paper (or a good printer who will order something special for you) and print your very best work at a size to fit the case box. Either print full bleed, or I often prefer a wide, intentional edge (.75" or so depending on your final print size).
   
3. Print your name and contact info somewhere on each individual sheet, just in case. (The back works!) And remember this element should also be designed.
   
4. Create a title sheet with your name, info, personal logo (whatever is relevant) on it to sit on top of your portfolio sheets. If you're really in a hurry, this can be skipped.
   
5. That's it.
   
   A book is great, but a loose portfolio has a lot of advantages too, most especially that sheets can be shown side by side during the interview.
   
   Obviously, in a non-time crunch situation, you'd want to personalize the box itself and make the whole thing feel more special, but in terms of feeling 'together' in a hurry, it's hard to beat.

I worked for a guy that has done electronic design for decades and loved his system. He used boxes like these, but long and narrow, with dividers. He labeled each box A, B, etc. Each divider had a sub index.

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He combined that system with a basic inventory software (he and his son wrote it, but I'm sure there are things available in OSS-land). He stored name, MFG #, vendor #, component type, value, quantity etc and made it all searchable. When he had a new part it could go (in it's original packaging) in any box with open space, you need only add it to the inventory system. Some extra IC-safe bags and sorts help with odd shaped packages -- like IC tubes.

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I would build boards for him (design, manufacture on a CNC board miller) and it took about no time at all to find parts and build things. I love this system because it requires zero memory and is a direct lookup to where the part is in storage.

I had a few of these Archival Binder Boxes left over from my high school photo days. When paired with these C-line Binder Photo Storage Pages you have a tidy archival solution for your Wide shots. The equivalent I use for Mini shots in the same binders are these Print File Negative Sleeves. One thing to note is that neither set of sleeves is made for these format of photos. I can fit two shots in each pocket comfortably. The aspect ratio isn't exact for either type of sleeve so there is the smallest bit of play. The archival boxes are clutch here because they prevent the photos from coming free out the top of the page which would be a danger if you put these in a regular binder.

It's not as glamorous as a photo album but it keeps the dust and light out and still lets me flip through and browse.

Unrelated but hopefully helpful: The Google Photos team just launched PhotoScan. Before you load these pages up you can tear through the traditionally long process of digitizing instant film with this app. Not the same as sending them away to be digitized but it's free and gets you 90% of the way I would say.

If they are all about document size or smaller, you can buy an archival document box on amazon like this : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HAAJPQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They also come in other sizes. Just make sure it's archival. Then I would buy some buffered archival tissue and put a sheet in between each document in the box: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DPVJ1I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The photos may not need the buffered paper, but definitely for anything else. But I'd just use the buffered paper on photos too, it'd fine for them, just not necessary.

As for labeling, I'm always torn on how to do that too. I lean towards marking the item with something removable. I'd probably mark the back in pencil. That way it's on the object but is not permanent. If you want to permanently mark something, just a use pen with archival ink. They should be easy to find.

Art boxes are usually around 3 or 4 inches. In my own experience, I haven't enjoyed things under the bed: either it just spread the clutter to under the bed, or if the things in it actually brought me joy, under the bed was the least convenient place for them. I use art boxes with holes cut on the back on top of dressers to hide networking equipment and personal electronics/chargers. As such, I matched the box to the dresser. Underneath, I might go with clear so it would be easier to tell what's in there with multiple boxes.

clear box

http://www.amazon.com/ArtBin-6913AB-Essentials-Storage-Translucent/dp/B00BRG5IHG/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1458448432&sr=1-3&keywords=translucent+art+box

Brown canvas box

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FTWKB0S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage


Black archival folio box

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HAAJPQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Variety of colors

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0119DPRHW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

11x17 is a common sketchbook paper size I think. You can get boxes, binders, and portfolios in that specific size pretty cheap. If it's got a lot of sentimental value to you, you can get more expensive cases like this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JCUYSM/?ie=UTF8&dpID=31Io82fwsVL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR100%2C100_

You may want to look into ditching the foam for an archival quality, acid-free box. From what I remember, as paper and plastics age, they can negatively affect the quality of books by turning acidic. Something like this archival box is buffered and acid free so it won't release those aging elements while your treasure is in storage!

Book - $11

Razor - $28

Brush - $7

Aftershave - $6

Soap - $7

Blades - $13 /100

Alum - $6

Box - $8


That is the setup OP has except a generally more popular aftershave scent, a different brush, and a block of alum that I find a little easier to use.

This is about $75 per person.

Edit: Personally I would probably go with /u/papander 's suggestion of Maggards. It is not what OP did, but Maggard's is a top notch retailer with really good product. For even less hassle just grab as many starter kits as you like, and add aftershave from walmart. You can't go wrong with any selection on the drop down lists as Maggards does not sell junk.

If you have a bigger collection I suggest http://amzn.com/B003WSV1RI (because they are acid free)
Trying to fit them all into binders will create a lot of binders.
Plus a box is a little more forgiving for postcards that are different thickness or shape. Not to mention you can bend them trying to get them into sleeves.

If you want to get very protective about it put your best in a Odyssey FZLP80, Odyssey CLP090E, Odyssey DJ Case, Odyssey CLP180E, Odyssey CLP200P or Classic Acts Vinyl Record Case 75 or Classic Acts Vinyl Record Case 150.

It’s something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6PXGTM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Jsn7CbB5SZVB6
I also found one that looks pretty tall but I can’t find the link atm on my phone.
I am researching my options, there are also cheaper options like putting moisture absorber in air tight containers, and you put moisture gauge to monitor it yourself.

Put each photo in a protective envelope, some are clear polypropylene, others are an opaque glassine. Both materials are inert and will not damage the photos. The envelopes come in a variety of sizes so make sure to get what you need.

Glassine also come in large sheets and rolls of different sizes.

If the envelope you choose has a seam make sure the back of the print faces the seam.

Store all the photos in an archival box, like the envelopes come in different sizes.

I decluttered 90-95% of my belongings, so my closets and closed-door spaces are pretty empty now. It's a great feeling to know somebody can come over and open a closet or a drawer and not see a jumbled mess or risk having something fall on them (a reality in my pre-declutter phase!). I just don't want to go back to owning lots of shit, not after living this way for 3+ years.

You can get a photo box to contain the items you work with, then when you're done, put the stuff back in the box and put the box away. There's nothing that says you can't keep a chapstick together with a stapler and a nail file and a can of keyboard spray. Find a system that works for you. Photo boxes are cheap on Amazon or at Michael's and their size is great for that odds-and-ends shit we all end up with after we're done decluttering - the cords, glue sticks, Sharpies, whatever. I'm down to one photo box, it has envelopes, stamps, my return address stickers, phone charger cord, whatever.

I like to find new uses for old stuff. I bought some 35MM slide storage boxes at a anique mart. It has individual slots for 25 slides I think.

Amazon sells this one

https://www.amazon.com/Lineco-4332046643-Slide-Storage-Box/dp/B0010CI8VK/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?crid=2SZAGJLD4WDSL&keywords=slide+holders+35mm+box&pd_rd_i=B0010CI8VK&pd_rd_r=beee20d2-ffb5-40e7-8dda-0affe6a81deb&pd_rd_w=scV4J&pd_rd_wg=gctSh&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=GT41S02VJRY541CH6ZEH&qid=1563214467&s=gateway&sprefix=35mm+slide+holders%2Caps%2C189

I found this ad on EBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-35mm-Slide-BRUMBERGER-Metal-Box-Tray-File-Coin-Case-Holder/264362453795?hash=item3d8d3aeb23:g:9mMAAOSwJ1xdA9RY

Yeah doesn't this guys know he should get this for his cards.

Maybe a photo file box?

https://www.amazon.com/PHOTO-STORAGE-BOXES-HOLDS-PHOTOS/dp/B003WSV1RI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=photo+file+box&qid=1570763369&sprefix=Photo+file&sr=8-3

Separators yould could probably diy.

PrintFile sleeves stored in archival binders.

Or you even have a choice of colors! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VT7XDY/ref=psdc_3444131_t3_B0000A9DUU

https://www.amazon.com/Adorama-11x17-Print-Storage-Design/dp/B0000A9DUU

Would you consider a box to hide the electronics, like a Chief Wall Box? https://www.amazon.com/Chief-PAC526-Storage-Installation-Capacity/dp/B00P9ZBZCI. You can have mains and low voltage wall boxes on the side walls.

I use an archival binder with negative sleeves

You can find them on Freestyle/Amazon/B&H, etc:

Freestyle: Binder / Sleeves


Amazon: Binder / Sleeves