Put tickets in a scrapbook without losing the details
Copy tickets before arranging them, keep their event details readable and use non-adhesive mounts for originals. Match each ticket to its date, place and photographs.
Sort tickets by event. Put each beside its matching photograph or map, with enough room to read the date and place.
Copy each ticket while its details are readable. Some printed tickets fade or darken, so keep an unedited digital image before arranging the book.
Make a book from these memories
Add your photos and keepsakes, then put the book together in your browser.
Make a readable copy first
The National Archives identifies darkening and fading in some thermal papers. Copy a ticket suspected of using this process while its information is still visible.
- Capture both sides when the reverse contains information you want to keep.
- Retain an uncropped original file and use a separate edited copy for the page.
Mount originals with non-adhesive holders
The Library of Congress recommends acid-free, lignin-free materials and non-adhesive photo corners. It advises avoiding self-adhesive tape, clips and staples in new albums.
- Choose a holder large enough to keep the ticket edges inside.
- Place decorative elements on the surrounding page, away from the original.
- Leave an already stuck or fragile ticket alone rather than pulling it free.
Keep the event details readable
Put the ticket beside a photograph from the event or your own account. Keep it large enough to read the information that identifies the visit.
- Keep the venue and date visible in a digital crop.
- Remove codes and personal references from copies shared beyond the people involved.
Pages to make
Sort and identify
Group tickets by date and event. Match each one with a photograph, route or remembered place before designing the page.
Copy both sides
Make clear images of every useful side. Keep the files unedited, then prepare separate crops or redacted versions.
Arrange the event
Place the ticket beside one main photograph, with room to read its date and venue. Keep unrelated tickets on another spread.
Mount the original
For a paper book, use suitable non-adhesive corners or an enclosure. Keep page decoration away from the ticket itself.
Questions
How do I preserve tickets in a scrapbook?
Make a clear copy, then use suitable non-adhesive corners or an enclosure for the original. Keep it away from self-adhesive tape and metal fasteners.
Why is my ticket turning dark or fading?
The National Archives notes darkening and fading in some thermal papers. Make a copy of the visible information rather than relying on a mount to prevent deterioration.
Should I use the original ticket or a copy?
A copy is practical when a ticket is fragile, fading or awkwardly sized. You can keep the original separately and use the copy beside the event photographs.