Scrapbooking Ideas and Layouts and Building Scrapbook Pages

It's important that when you begin scrapbooking you use products that are archival-quality, acid-free and lignin-free. This generally means that the products are expected to last at least 100 years if properly cared for. There are a few terms you should learn about when beginning to scrapbook.

ACID FREE- Acid refers to the pH level of a particular item. A material that measures between 7 and 8 on the pH scale is the kindest to photographs and other memorabilia. The life expectancy of a pH-neutral paper has been estimated at 200 years, while ordinary paper with a high acid content can be expected to last only 50 years.

ACID MIGRATION- The transfer of acid from an acidic material to a less acidic material or pH neutral material. Remember, acid always migrates to neutral; never does neutral migrate to acid. Acid migration may occur directly, when two materials are in intimate contact. For instance, acid may migrate from boards, end papers and protective tissues, as well as the paper covers of albums, and from memorabilia to less acidic paper.

LIGNIN FREE- Lignin is a naturally occurring acid substance in wood that breaks down over time. Paper with lignin is not suitable for archival projects.

BUFFERED- Think of this as antacid for your paper. It neutralizes the acid in the paper, and minimally neutralizes the acid in the papers that touch it to a more neutral level.

POLYPROPYLENE, POLYETHYLENE and POLYESTER- Stable plastics that are safe for photographs. AVOID PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Because this substance is harmful to photographs.

PH NEUTRAL- Many manufacturers are using this term instead of acid free. PH neutral is more definitive than acid free. An acid free product could be extremely alkaline. Since is is also undesirable to be highly alkaline because of damages, pH neutral is a desirable quality.