How to Remove a Photograph Stuck to Glass

Do you have a favorite photograph that can’t be removed from its frame because it is stuck to the glass?

Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think.

While printed photographs may last a long time, they weren’t designed to last a lifetime.

Sunlight and chemicals cause photos to fade over time. Adhesive tape causes discoloration, paper clips can add ugly rust, and don’t get me started on those sticky photo albums.

And then there’s the damage caused by moisture and heat.

It’s a wonder that our precious family photographs survive at all.

Three Mistakes That Ruined My Heirloom Photo

Way back in 1985, a local photographer asked me to do a sitting. He was looking to hone his skills by photographing someone holding a violin, and since he had done some photos for me previously, he already knew that I was a violinist.

As my payment for the sitting, I was given a beautiful 8” x 10” professional print of the photographer’s favorite image from the sitting (the framed photo above).

This was my only copy, and as far as I know, the only copy he ever printed.

I was young and broke, and I put the photo in a cheap frame that I picked up at a discount store to show it off. There was no mat in the frame.

That was mistake number 1.

I left the photo in the cheap unmatted frame for about 30 years. It was displayed on a table that was occasionally sprayed with furniture polish and cleaners for a while. After that, it was left in a dusty pile under the bed.

That was mistake number 2.

Eventually, I found the photo under the bed and decided it was time to remove it from the cheap frame that had held it for decades and put it into an archival album or sleeve to preserve it.

The photo did not want to cooperate, and it held tight to the glass. Determined to set it free, I pulled and pulled on the photo until I heard a ripping sound.

That was mistake number 3, and by far, the worst.

So now, my one-of-a-kind photo was not only still stuck to the glass, but it was also ripped.

How a Photo Gets Stuck to the Glass

The most common culprit that causes a photo to stick to glass is moisture and humidity.

Add a bit of heat, and you’ve got a recipe for photo disaster.

Professionally printed photographs (not those that are printed on your laser or ink-jet printer at home) are covered in an emulsion coating. When that coating becomes moist, whether from humidity, water damage, or cleaners seeping into the frame, it turns into a sticky, glue-like substance.

This can happen quickly, for instance, when a photo is submerged during a flood.

Or it can happen over several years, from sitting in a humid environment, or from being left in direct sunlight.

In my case, it was a long process, exacerbated by living in a humid environment and being careless with cleaning products. And I’m sure there was a bit of heat and sunlight thrown in the mix as well.

Prevent Your Photos From Sticking in the First Place

When selecting a frame for your photo, don’t cheap out as I did. Use a high-quality frame that can protect your photo from light and moisture damage. For heirloom photos, use a frame with Museum Glass®, which eliminates reflections and blocks up to 99% of UV rays.

Make sure there’s a space between the photo and the glass by using an archival-quality mat board. A custom framing company should be able to provide you with a decent mat. Or you can purchase one from an archival storage company.

Also, take care when cleaning around your photo. Never spray cleaning products directly on the frame or the nasty stuff may seep in and damage your photo. Spray the cleaner onto a rag and then carefully wipe around the frame.

Keep your photos – especially precious heirloom photos – out of humid areas like bathrooms. Great Grandma Bess doesn’t need to watch while you shower.

Methods to Remove a Photograph That is Stuck to Glass

There are several different ways to fix a photograph that is stuck to glass.

I did quite a bit of research before deciding what to do with my photo, and here’s what I found.

Safest Method

If your photo is a one-of-a-kind heirloom, don’t take chances on any DIY methods. Take or mail it to a photo lab and have it removed by a professional who is skilled in the process.

Although I probably should have selected this method, I ultimately decided against it. The photo was already damaged, so I couldn’t justify the expense.

Safe Method

Scan your photo and print a copy.

Afterward, archive your original photo as-is, glass and all.

Unfortunately, when I scanned my photograph, there was so much glare on the glass that the scans were unusable.

I was able to produce a reasonably good image by taking a picture at an angle with my iPhone to reduce the glare and then adjusting the perspective in Photoshop. However, I thought the color was too washed out, and I wasn’t satisfied with the final product.

Other Methods (Which May or May Not Be Safe)

Before you try any DIY method of unsticking your photo from glass, be sure to either scan or take a picture of your photo so you have a backup.

I have not tried either of the first two methods, so I cannot personally recommend them.

The Hair Dryer

With your hairdryer on its lowest heat setting (not cold), blow warm air across the back of the print. Keep the dryer about 4–5 inches from the photo. Slowly and gently pull back a tiny corner of the unstuck photo. Continue the process until the entire photo is free from the glass.

The Freezer

Wrap the photo and glass in thick paper and place in the freezer for about an hour. Carefully remove the photo and glass bundle from the freezer, open the paper, and gently pull up the corner of the photo. If the photo and glass don’t easily separate, try inserting a credit card between them to gently pry them apart. Note: The glass may break during freezing, so be sure to wear rubber gloves or protective hand gear before handling the frozen photo.

Soaking in Water

The method I used to remove my photo that was stuck to glass was to submerge it in water. I’ll walk you through the process below.

How to Remove a Photograph Stuck to Glass By Soaking in Water

My Results

Overall, I was pleased with the results of the water-soaking method.

After being stuck for 30+ years, the soaking process took about 36 hours before the photograph was completely free from the glass. I may have kept the photo submerged for a bit too long, but the photo stubbornly refused to let go of the glass, and I was afraid of causing further damage by forcing it.

The ripped section of the photo curled up after drying. I contemplated gluing it down, but I didn’t want to cause additional damage to the image with an adhesive. Instead, I used a pile of heavy books to flatten the photo and left it sitting for about a week (I forgot about it for a few days so it may have been flattened earlier). The picture is slightly warped now, but I don’t if that is from the water or from being in the frame. But the ripped section that was curled is now completely flat.

My only disappointment was that the photographer’s gold logo that had been stamped on the front of the photo came off in the water. Thankfully, the sticker with his studio name and copyright is still securely fastened on the back.

Would I use this method again to fix a photo that was stuck to the glass? Possibly. It depends on the photo. However, if it was an heirloom photo of an ancestor, I would contact a professional.

Going forward, I think I’ll just try to prevent any more photos from sticking to the glass!

Slide the arrows left and right to see the formerly stuck photograph before and after a quick touch-up with Photoshop.

Note: The before photo really doesn’t show the full extent of the moisture damage. This image is a better representation of what the photo looked like before any restoration efforts. The photographer’s logo that came off during soaking was Photoshopped onto the restored image.

Original print photograph copyright © Images by Dwayne, 1985, Laguna Hills, California.

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