An archive needs clear project identity, original files, editing information and final deliverables. A folder named final alone is difficult to retrieve later.
What to do
Collect the approved deliverables, record the editing software version where useful and retain the files needed to reopen the work. Verify the backup before moving or deleting working copies.
A mistake to avoid
Do not treat a catalog backup as proof that all original images are included. Test the files required to reopen a representative image.
A detail worth checking
Record any external dependency that matters to reopening the project. Fonts, linked assets or unavailable plugins can affect later work even when the original photographs are intact. Keep the archive understandable to a future reader.
Try this practical check
Pick one finished project and pretend you received a reprint request a year later. Find the original, final export and editing state using only the archive notes.
Related reading
3-2-1 Backup Rule: A Simple Plan for Your Files (2026)
