Video: Use Household Boxes to Organize Slides for Free

The Clever Free Storage Solution You Already Have

Watch this quick video to learn a brilliant organizing trick: common household boxes are the perfect size for storing and organizing slides. Waxed paper boxes, aluminum foil boxes, plastic wrap boxes, and even ziplock baggies are all ideal for keeping slides organized.

This free solution beats expensive storage systems:

• Perfect 2x2 inch size fits slides exactly
• Sturdy cardboard protects slides
• Boxes you already have at home
• Easy to label and stack
• Slides won't rattle or shift around

Tip: Move your cursor over the video to see controls. Right-click and select "unmute" to hear audio.

Which Household Items Work Best?

Several common kitchen boxes and household items are perfect for slide storage:

Waxed paper boxes (Reynolds Wrap Cut-Rite, etc.)
Aluminum foil boxes (Reynolds Wrap, store brands)
Plastic wrap boxes (Saran Wrap, Glad Cling Wrap)
Parchment paper boxes
Ziplock bags (gallon-size work well for grouping chapters)

All of these standard kitchen boxes have the same basic 2x2 inch dimensions—perfect for slide storage. The sturdy cardboard construction protects slides from damage, and ziplock bags provide see-through organization.

How to Organize Slides Using Household Boxes

The technique shown in the video is simple and effective:

Step 1: Gather your containers. Save empty waxed paper, foil, or plastic wrap boxes. You'll need one box (or baggie) per "chapter" or folder of slides.

Step 2: Stack slides into boxes. Fill each box with slides from one chapter or event. The 2x2 inch size means slides fit perfectly without any wasted space.

Step 3: Number your boxes. Label each box clearly with its chapter number: 1, 2, 3, etc. We scan boxes in the order you number them.

Step 4: Add descriptions (optional). Write brief notes on each box like "Summer 1985" or "Christmas 1990" if you want those descriptions in your folder names.

Keep Stack Sizes Reasonable

While household boxes can hold quite a few slides, it's smart to keep stacks to a reasonable size. Here's why:

Easier handling. Smaller stacks are easier to organize, label, and ship safely.

Better organization. Breaking large collections into multiple boxes helps you organize by specific events or time periods.

More efficient scanning. Reasonably-sized stacks move through our scanning process smoothly, keeping costs down.

How many slides per box? Avoid tiny stacks (less than 20 slides), but there's no strict maximum. Generally 40-80 slides per box works well. If a particular folder or event has many more slides, just use multiple boxes.

Labeling Multi-Box Chapters

What if one folder or event spans multiple boxes? Use this simple labeling system:

Label them 1a, 1b, 1c, etc. For example, if "Summer Vacation 1985" requires three boxes, label them "1a - Summer 1985," "1b - Summer 1985," "1c - Summer 1985."

We'll understand the connection. When we see consecutive letter labels, we know those boxes belong to the same folder. We'll scan them in order and put all images into one digital folder.

Sequential numbering continues. After your 1a, 1b, 1c boxes, the next completely different event would be labeled #2.

Using Ziplock Bags for Organization

Ziplock bags offer unique advantages for slide organization:

See-through convenience. You can see slides without opening the bag, making it easy to identify chapters at a glance.

Secure closure. The zip seal keeps slides safely contained during shipping and handling.

Flexible sizing. Gallon-size bags work well for most chapter sizes. Quart-size bags work for smaller groups.

Label directly on the bag. Use a permanent marker to write chapter numbers and descriptions right on the plastic.

Group bags in boxes. Place multiple labeled ziplock bags in a larger box for shipping.

Why This Method Works So Well

Using household boxes and bags for slide storage isn't just free—it's actually better than many expensive storage systems:

Perfect fit means no movement. Slides sit snugly in 2x2 inch boxes without sliding around or getting damaged.

Sturdy protection. Cardboard boxes are thick enough to protect slides during storage and shipping.

Easy to label. Write directly on cardboard with a marker or on bags with permanent marker. No need for fancy labels.

Stackable. Boxes stack neatly on shelves or in shipping containers.

Already in your kitchen. No need to buy expensive archival storage systems.

Using Dividers Instead of Multiple Boxes

If you prefer to use fewer boxes, you can add dividers between chapters:

Cut index cards to size. Make simple 2x2 inch dividers from index cards or cardstock.

Label each divider. Write the chapter number or description clearly.

Place between chapters. Insert dividers between different events or time periods within the same box.

This approach works well if you have many small chapters and don't want to use a separate box for each one. See our detailed guide with photos.

Preparing Boxes and Bags for Shipping

When you're ready to send us your slides organized in household boxes or bags:

Secure the box lids. Use tape to keep box lids closed during transit.

Seal ziplock bags completely. Make sure bags are fully zipped to prevent slides from escaping.

Pack carefully. Place boxes or bags in a larger shipping box with padding to prevent shifting.

Include your order form. Make sure we know which service you want and how to return your slides.

Ship with tracking. Use a shipping method that provides tracking so you can monitor your package.

Questions About Using Boxes or Bags?

Not sure if you're organizing correctly? Want to confirm your labeling system will work?

Send us photos: Take pictures of your labeled boxes or bags and email them to us. We'll confirm you're set up perfectly.

Call us: Reach us at 1-800-844-1393 during business hours. We're happy to walk you through the process.

Flexibility matters. There's no single "perfect" way to organize slides. As long as your boxes or bags are clearly labeled and numbered, we can work with your system.

More Slide Organization Resources

We have comprehensive guides and videos to help you prepare slides:

• Complete Box Stacking Guide with Photos
• General Organization Tips
• All Storage Container Options
• Complete Video Library
• Slide Orientation Guide

Ready to Get Your Organized Slides Scanned?

Once you've organized your slides in household boxes or ziplock bags with clear numbering, you're ready for professional scanning.

We respect your organization: Your boxes or bags become digital folders in exactly the order you've labeled them. Your careful organization is preserved perfectly.

Professional quality on every slide: We scan at 4,000 PPI with expert Photoshop editing on each image.

Trusted since 2002: We've helped thousands of families preserve their slide collections with care and attention to detail.