# Fingerprints on Photographs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints-on-photographs/280983>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 21, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints-on-photographs/280983 "2004-12-21T15:46:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Iris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a5b964/32.png) [@Iris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iris)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints-on-photographs/280983/1 "2004-12-21T15:46:35Z")

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Does anyone have any suggestions for removing fingerprints from photographs? I’ve thought about using a felt cloth (something for cleaning eyeglasses), but I don’t know if I should apply a dry or damp cloth. I’d rather not buy something specific unless I have to. Have any methods worked for you in getting rid of fingerprints?

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints-on-photographs/280983/2 "2004-12-21T16:08:10Z")

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How old are the photographs? If they were made within the past 20 years or so, especially if they are not custom prints, it is likely they are printed on resin-coated paper and a damp cloth will work fine. If it’s an older fiber-based paper, the finger prints may have permanently stained it already. Swabbing with a dry cotton cloth or Q-tip should help.

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**Author:** ![Iris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a5b964/32.png) [@Iris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iris)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints-on-photographs/280983/3 "2004-12-21T16:39:21Z")

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> [@friedo](#):
>
> How old are the photographs? If they were made within the past 20 years or so, especially if they are not custom prints, it is likely they are printed on resin-coated paper and a damp cloth will work fine. If it’s an older fiber-based paper, the finger prints may have permanently stained it already. Swabbing with a dry cotton cloth or Q-tip should help.

The photographs are less than a year old, but some of them are custom prints. I think I will try your suggestion and use a damp cloth. Thanks!