Bulk Buying Glossy Photo Paper - is there a shelf life?

[Rupert49]

I'm currently planning to stock up on 6x4 and 7x5 Epson Glossy Photo Paper, since I've identified a couple of online suppliers with excellent deals currently (10p/6x4 and 12.5p/7x5).

I can see reference and product numbers on the packets, but none of them looks like a sell-by or use-by date. What might the expected shelf life of glossy photo paper be if kept in my office in the original packets?

[LargeFormat]

I hope there isn't a shelf life or I'm in trouble as it often takes me ages to get round to finishing say my A2 Oyster Double Sided.

When I designed the paper conservation centre for the British Film Institute ideal storage conditions were, obviously, critical. Essentially you should keep it cool and dry but unless you want to store it for a hundred years just being sensible should be enough, ie a dry place away from heat.

[Rupert49]

Splendid, there can be no higher recommendation than yours ... many thanks!

[MarchHare]

I'm currently planning to stock up on 6x4 and 7x5 Epson Glossy Photo Paper, since I've identified a couple of online suppliers with excellent deals currently (10p/6x4 and 12.5p/7x5).

I can see reference and product numbers on the packets, but none of them looks like a sell-by or use-by date. What might the expected shelf life of glossy photo paper be if kept in my office in the original packets?

If paper is kept dry and cool there is no use by or sell by date. It will keep indefinitely.

Most "use by" or "sell by" dates are not for your benefit but for the benefit of the retailer, so that they can persuade you to dump perfectly good stuff and buy more.

It gets really stupid these days, bars of fruit and nut chocolate which has "May contain nuts" on it, if it didn't contain nuts I would take them to court for mis-representation.

[Monobod]

I remember the one about the natural Mineral Water said to have been filtered through volcanic rock for a thousand years and to be as pure as it comes. On the bottle a sell by date just six months away!

I have stored and used Epson Semi Gloss and Glossy paper in my office for months and months. It is still OK. I have a load bought last year and it is OK.