Acid-free scrapbook materials: what the labels mean
Acid-free paper is neutral or alkaline, so it does not turn acidic and brittle like cheap paper. For photographs, look for materials that passed the Photographic Activity Test as well.
Acid-free describes the paper. It says nothing about the glue, the plastic sleeve or the pen on the same page, and any of those can harm a photo.
Three labels matter: acid-free, lignin-free and PAT. Read them on pages, card, sleeves and adhesives, and treat 'archival' with no detail as no information.
Make a digital scrapbook
Add your photos and keepsakes in tbf scrapbook, then arrange them on the pages.
| Label | What it means | Enough for original photos? |
|---|---|---|
| Acid-free | pH neutral or alkaline when made | Not on its own |
| Lignin-free | Lignin removed from the pulp | Not on its own |
| Buffered | Alkaline reserve, about pH 8.5 | Only with PAT, and not beside cyanotypes |
| Unbuffered | Neutral, about pH 7 | Yes, if it has passed the PAT |
| PAT passed | Tested for reaction with photographs | Yes, the label to look for |
| Archival | No fixed meaning | Ask which test it passed |
| Photo-safe | Means little unless a test is named | Ask for the PAT result |
| PVC | A plastic to keep away from photos | No |
What each label means
Acid-free paper has a pH of 7 or above. Lignin-free means the wood component that darkens paper as it ages has been taken out. Buffered paper carries an alkaline reserve.
The Library of Congress lists photo-safe paper as buffered, about pH 8.5, or unbuffered, about pH 7. It does not recommend buffered enclosures for cyanotypes or dye transfer prints.
Why acid-free is not enough for photographs
The Library of Congress says photo-safe materials must meet ISO 18902, which includes passing the Photographic Activity Test. Some suppliers print this on the packet.
The National Archives advises corners of acid-free paper or stable plastic instead of adhesive, sleeves of polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene, and no PVC.
What to look for on the packet
If a packet says only archival or photo-safe and names no test, ask the seller which test the product passed.
- Acid-free and lignin-free on pages, card and mats
- PAT passed, or ISO 18902, on anything that touches a photo
- Polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene on sleeves
- No magnetic or self-adhesive pages
- Unbuffered paper beside cyanotypes and dye transfer prints
Acidic keepsakes on an acid-free page
Newsprint, receipts, tickets and old card are often acidic and can stain what they touch. Copy them on to acid-free paper for the page, or give the original its own sleeve.
The Library of Congress suggests wrapping an old scrapbook in acid-free paper and boxing it, and leaving treatment to a trained conservator. Do not paste new pages over old ones.
A digital book has no paper to age. A scanned clipping keeps the look on the page, and the original can go into a folder.
Steps
List what touches the photo
Write down everything in contact with an original: page, mat, corners, sleeve, adhesive and pen. Each needs its own label check.
Read the labels
Look for acid-free and lignin-free on paper, PAT on anything touching a photo, and polyester or polypropylene on sleeves.
Separate acidic keepsakes
Copy newsprint, receipts and tickets on to acid-free paper, or sleeve each original so it touches nothing else.
Mount without glue
Use photo corners or slits so an original can be lifted out later. Keep glue for copies and decoration.
Questions
How do I know if paper is acid-free?
Read the packet for acid-free or a pH figure. A pH testing pen gives a rough check on paper you own, but it shows acidity only, not lignin or a PAT result.
How long does acid-free paper last?
No label gives a lifespan. The Library of Congress gives 65 to 70 degrees F and 45% relative humidity as acceptable for many materials, and notes paper lasts longer cooler.
Can I put photos in a scrapbook that is not acid-free?
Put copies in it and keep the originals elsewhere. If an original must go in, use a PAT-passed sleeve so it does not touch the page.