Protect Your Layouts

Learn how to protect your layouts. Scrappers spend alot of time and money to create beautiful pages in the hope that we will have an historical record to be handed down for generations. Using harmful materials that are not archival quality can threaten the life of these special records. The following tips can help to ensure a long life for your creative art.

Number one rule: Unless it says otherwise, you should assume an element is not acid-free.

Since it is not certain that fabrics are acid free, you may want to avoid placing any type of fabric directly onto your photos without first using neutralizing spray. You could also use a mat between your photos and your fabrics.

Be certain the fabrics are colour fast. You might want to try soaking them in water for a period of time to be sure the colour does not run. If the material is not colour fast it could seep onto your pages if exposed to any kind of humidity.

Archival spray will protect your papers from suspect embellishments and the effects of handling and other natural elements.

Glass and metals are generally believed to be acid free, so may be used safely for your pages. However, be aware that some metals are more prone to rust and that rust could be transferred to your photos and paper over time.

Be sure to use lead-free paint in all of your scrapbooking techniques.

Plastic page covers also help to prevent degradation caused from exposure to air and moisture.

Special Note

How archival (neutralizer) spray protects embellishments and suspect items from natural elements: The product coats the item and neutralizes the acid level. This limits the possibility that your scrapbook pages will discolour or deteriorate over time.

There is also a special acid test pen which can be purchased at most craft stores that will test the PH levels of any materials you may be using in your scrapbooking. It will immediately indicate to you whether the product is acid free. Definitely worth the investment, especially if you like to use found items from old clothing, etc.

The main objective is to protect your layouts from the ravages of time, so that your Legacy of historical records will last for generations.