(version française ici)
Hello!
Our scrapbooks are meant to survive us. In the best circumstances, many generations will have the privilege and the pleasure to relive, through our albums, memorable (and more ordinary) moments of our existence.
To ensure long life to those treasured memories, it is important to build them carefully and with the proper products.
Contact with acidic products - papers, adhesives, etc. - will make our photos yellow as time goes by. Thus, we must always ensure that the products we use are identified as "acid-free". If it isn't mentioned on the packaging, it is best to steer clear of them.
This is particularly important for antique photos - black and white or sepia - for which no negatives are available.
A little bit of chemistry
Paper is made from wood pulp (so far, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know...).
In a tree, the cells and fibers are held together by lignin - a chemical substance making up 1/4 to 1/3 of the tree's weight. This lignin is usually removed during the transformation process from wood to paper, except in certain products, such as newpaper, cardboard boxes and other items not meant to last forever. The lignin will act a bit like sugar in our human metabolism (too much sugar = extra energy which is not spent and slowly transforms into fat ;)). Lignin which no longer serves its purpose will slowly transform into acid, which explains the change in color (yellowing) and texture (cracking).
Therefore, if you choose to add a newspaper article to a scrapbook page, there are a couple of options to keep it safe:
- Make a color photocopy of the document on acid-free laser paper and insert that safer version into your album (the color copy will preserve the newspaper look, without the acid);
- Isolate the article in a plastic sleeve;
- Neutralise the item with a specially formulated spray, as described below.
In the same line of though, home-made "chipboard" items from recycled cereal or tissue boxes are acidic as well. It is not wrong to use them, but they must be neutralized before inserting them into the project.
To allow for "risky" items and memories in your scrapbooks, allow me to suggest two products, which can be found at the store.
- American Crafts pH Testing Pen: It contains a solution formulated to test the acid content in paper products. Draw a short line in an inconspicuous area of your paper. If the line turns blue or lavender, the acid level is acceptable. If the line turns yellow, this means that the acid content is too high. The pH tester is 100% acid-free and archival safe.
- Krylon Make It Acid-Free! Spray: If your paper is acidic, you will have to neutralize it before inserting it into your album. Krylon's Make It Acid-Free! Spray is the perfect tool for the job. Simply spray your paper - in a well ventilated area - on both sides, allowing it to dry on the first side before spraying the reverse. Once dry, your item will be neutral and safe for your photos, plus it will keep its color and texture longer.
NOTE: the pH testing pen works on light colored surfaces, so, if your paper is dark, if in doubt, spray!
A few well invested dollars in those products will allow your loved ones to enjoy your memories for years and years to come.
Sophie Pallotta (SophiePScrap)
for Art du scrapbooking
