Timeless Treasure Trunk Scrapbooking Paper Supplies

Since scrapbooking is basically archiving family histories it is very important to take precautions to preserve your work so future generations will be able to enjoy them. We have provided a list of terms that you should familiarize yourself with when shopping for paper supplies.

Anything that touches your photos should be acid-free and lignin-free, including paper, glue, markers and stickers so your photos will not discolor or disintegrate more quickly than they would naturally. Products that are photo-safe will be labeled as such.

Acid causes paper and photos to disintegrate, this aging process is slowed significantly when acid is removed from paper during the manufacturing process. Be sure your paper, glue and markers are labeled acid-free or archival-quality before you purchase them.

Lignin is the natural bonding element which holds wood fibers together. Newsprint contains lignin and becomes brittle and yellowed after just a few days. Like acid, lignin can be removed during processing to make scrapbooking paper safe.
If you wish to include newspaper articles or announcements in your memory album, photocopy them onto acid-free, lignin-free paper. Use an off-white paper that resembles newsprint for an authentic look.

This is a term used to indicate materials which have been tested to determine that their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.

During manufacturing, a buffering agent such as calcium carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate may be added to paper to neutralize acid contaminants. Such papers will have a pH of 8.5.

This refers to the acidity of a paper. The pH scale runs from 1 to 14 with each number representing a ten-fold increase; pH neutral is 7. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7 or above. Special pH tester pens are available to determine the acidity of products..

This is a term similar to archival quality but more specific to materials used with photographs. Acid-free is the determining factor for a product to be labeled photo-safe.

These are made of plastic to slip over a finished album page, They can be side loading or top loading and fit 5”x7”, 81/2”x11” or 12”x12” pages. It is important that they be acid-free.

Paper Kits