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While
you're shopping or scrapping, you'll hear lots of terms you may not be familiar
with, so here's a reference list.
Scrapbooking Terms
Acid
- Substance that can weaken cellulose in paper causing it to become brittle. If
your paper or memorabilia is acidic, it will turn brittle (yellow and brown in
color) and crumble. Acids can migrate from one medium to another over
time.
Acid-free
- Materials that have a pH of 7.0 or higher are acid-free. This term does not
refer to alkaline or buffered, but to that pH 7.0 measurement.
Acid migration
- This like second-hand smoke inhalation. Paper that is acid-free absorbs
acids from acidic materials and break down like they had acid to begin with.
This is why buffered paper is best to use when you can find it.
Archival quality
- Unfortunately, "Archival-Quality" is a totally irrelevant term, similar to "lite"
was in diet foods a few years ago. Manufacturers will use this term if
some small, insignificant part of their manufacturing process qualifies, but it
does not mean the item in question has been time tested for longevity in your
scrapbooks. By all means, buying something with this term on it is better
than buying something with NO archival qualifications whatsoever, but buyer
beware.
Buffered Paper
- Paper that has had alkaline substances (most commonly calcium carbonate or
magnesium carbonate) added to absorb acids, either from itself during processing
or, if it has a higher percentage of buffering, from other acidic items near or
on it. CM has buffered their paper for a long time; this was their main
selling point over all other papers, but now, many other companies buffer their
papers as well.
Lignin-free
- Lignin (lig'-nin) is a chemical in the structure of plants that holds the
cells together. It is believed that lignin is worse that acids for your
photos because it can cause chemical degredation if not removed from paper when
it is made. This term has no standard to it, either, similar to
archival-quality, but looking for paper that is lignin-free is better than not.
Mylar
- This substance is used as a protective clear covering for photos and album
pages. Mylar is currently regarded as the highest quality material used for this
purpose.
Permanent Paper
- To be considered permanent, and to comply with Standard ANSI Z39.48-1984,
paper must meet the following requirements:
-
Must
have a pH level of 7.5 or greater.
-
Must
contain an alkaline buffer of calcium carbonate or another alkaline.
-
Must
be free of chemical impurities and, optimally, contain cotton or other rag
fibers.
-
Must
be resistant to tears and folding.
Paper
that is free of acid immediately after manufacture may develop its own acid if
there is residual chlorine or aluminum sulfate remaining after process, or
atmospheric pollutants are allowed to permeate the album unless it has been
buffered.
pH Neutral
- Many manufacturers are using this term
instead of acid free. pH neutral is more definitive than acid free because an
acid-free product could be extremely alkaline.
Photo Safe
- Another unregulated term used by some
manufacturers... there are no laws to define the accuracy of its use. Buyer beware unless the product also contains
other terms in this list.
Polyethylene
- A chemically stable, transparent plastic used in photographic preservation
materials.
Polypropylene
-
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- A plastic that emits hydrochloric acid
which will damage photographs.
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Please
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