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Safe Scrapbooking
We started out using any old glue and any kind of paper. Then we moved to using only acid free/lignin free papers, pens, albums and page protectors. Now, it seems as if we're adding everything but the kitchen sink to our scrapbook pages…and give it time, we'll fit that on there too if we can figure out how! The question then is how can you create a safe scrapbook, but still enjoy the creativity and texture that embellishments offer?
Here are some tips for how to keep your scrapbooks safe:
Content
Of course what you put into your scrapbooks is important. You want to be sure to use products that will preserve your photos, and prevent discoloration or deterioration.
- Choose papers, pens, stickers, and other products that are labeled as acid free with a PH level between 7.0 and 9.0.
- Use acid free page protectors. Plastic page protectors containing PVCs (poly-vinyl chloride) are not safe for photos.
- Make photo copies onto acid free paper of newspaper clippings or other documents.
Practice
There are many preservation habits that are good to practice when creating your scrapbooks and handling photos.
- Be aware of the placement of lumpy objects on your page. Check to be sure that they won't be rubbing directly against photos or other valuable objects on the facing page.
- Use a PH pen to test the acidity of items in question.
- Use memorabilia pockets, acid free lamination, or an archival spray to seal acidic items and keep them from reaching your photos.
- Use duplicates of photos rather than the originals for pages that include metal, sharp, or acidic pieces.
- Always keep your negatives, label them, and store them separately from your albums.
Storage
The way you store you photos and completed albums is just as important as how you put them together to in the first place.
- Store your album upright and slightly fanned, so that your pages are not smashed together.
- Store photographs in boxes or envelopes that are acid free/lignin free.
- Keep albums in a cool, dry and controlled temperature environment. Heat and humidity will affect the safety of your pages. Garages, basements and attics that do not have controlled temperatures may not be the best place to store your albums.
- Keep your books away from direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays to prevent fading.
- Album sleeves are especially nice to keep dust and light from harming your photos.
How you approach scrapbooking will help determine the way you preserve your memories. Whether you consider it to be a simple means for preserving photos for decades, a way to pleasantly display your photos for your family, an artistic expression, or a combination of all three, you can create scrapbooks that are safe, and take precautions to prevent them from being damaged. Ultimately, you should use what you are comfortable using and what fits with your style and purpose for scrapbooking.
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