Store Large Documents in Museum Flat File Cabinets

What are Flat File Cabinets?

Flat file storage cabinets are steel cabinets that typically contain four to fifteen compact drawers. Depending on their dimensions, you can stack flat file cabinets two or three high. Flat file cabinets are available in a wide range of specifications, with widths up to 80″. These large cabinets make them suitable for storing documents and artwork of virtually any size. (Learn about other types of museum drawer cabinets here.)

What do Flat File Cabinets Store?

Flat file cabinets are an excellent addition to any museum collection storage because they are highly versatile. They are a particularly effective storage solution for preserving large flat works such as drawings, textiles, maps, flags, and artwork. However, you can also use them to store any artifacts thin enough to fit comfortably in the drawers. Visit our online store to see our museum storage products.

Flat file cabinets can store a wide range of items, including the following:

• Archival documents
• Historical drawings
• Artifacts
• Artwork
• Maps
• Posters
• Photographs and prints
• Flags
• Textiles
• Patches
• Badges
• Artifacts and specimens
• Oversized documents and works

Benefits of Flat File Cabinets for Museums

Preservation

Museum flat file cabinets are well-suited for preserving museum collections. Keeping artwork and artifacts in compact drawers protects collections from damaging light, dust, water, insects, and other pests.

Flat file storage cabinets are uniquely suited for storing flat documents, artwork, and works on paper. They eliminate the need to fold or roll these delicate items; instead, these works can be stored flat in individual drawers for optimal preservation. Depressors and rear hoods hold documents in place and prevent curling. Keeping these items in flat file cabinets minimizes the risk of tears, wrinkles, smudges, and other damage to these precious works.

Furthermore, the steel flat file cabinets are built to last. They are made of heavy-gauge steel with a reinforced welded construction, and they feature a non-off-gassing powder-coat finish to meet museum standards. The drawers have a load capacity of up to 100 pounds per drawer, and cushioned drawer bumpers and safety stops are standard features that protect stored items from jolting. Museum flat file cabinets also have a locking system to secure the drawers and protect artifacts from access by unauthorized individuals.

Space Savings

As museum collections grow, storage space becomes limited, so it’s essential to make the most efficient use of available space without compromising the preservation of stored artifacts. The compact design of museum flat file cabinets saves you space while providing suitable storage for your collection.

The wide drawers provide space to house individual works on paper or selections of small artifacts, but their slim profile ensures minimal space is wasted. Thus, you can efficiently and safely store flat documents or works of art in separate spaces without having to stack them. And by stacking flat file cabinets, you can save floor space and maximize your available vertical space.

Ease of Access

Museum flat file cabinets make it easy to find and access stored items. Drawers come with simple pull handles, and stainless steel tracks and plated rollers ensure that the drawers roll out smoothly for effortless long-term use. In addition, you can have the cabinet drawers fitted with label holders to locate stored items at a glance.

Flexibility

Flat file storage cabinets are a versatile solution for museums. In addition to stacking flat file cabinets, you can mount them on wheels for greater flexibility. For example, you can roll counter-height flat file cabinets together to create a temporary workstation for processing artifacts or other usages. Then, easily relocate the flat file cabinets on wheels to repurpose the space as needed.

You can also integrate flat file cabinets into compact storage systems. High-density mobile storage systems are an excellent solution for storing different types of artifacts in a compact footprint. You can have museum flat file cabinets mounted on mobile carriages and integrated into these shelving systems to provide secure, space-efficient storage for flat works alongside the rest of your collection.

Display

In addition to storage, you can utilize flat file cabinets to safely showcase the more popular pieces in your collection to museum visitors. Glass-top flat file cabinets allow visitors to view the items stored in the cabinet’s top drawer while keeping the artifacts protected beneath the glass. This viewing area allows staff to access and change items on display, and you can also choose to lock the cabinet to prevent guests from opening the drawers. The flat file cabinet’s archival-quality paint finish gives it a clean appearance suitable for public display.