Every hobby has its own jargon. Scrapbooking is no different. Scrapbooking is a craft that combines the science of photography with the creativity of the enthusiast to create record of a families history and traditions.  While the science of photography has increased the longevity of photos, it can often be confusing and difficult to identify which products are safe for your scrapbook album.

Photo safe has no real definition and is a term widely used in the industry to describe the practice of using materials for scrapbooking that will not deteriorate quickly. It is not however a guarantee that the photos will not deteriorate.  Archival quality term also has no standardized definition, however, it implies that all materials used in the product are chemically stable.

In order to adequately preserve your photos, they need to be surrounded by materials that will not accelerate aging. Keep these terms in mind when shopping for scrapbooking supplies:

Acid: Over time, acid discolors and fades photos and will eventually destroy almost anything it comes in contact with. Acids can weaken cellulose in paper, board, and cloth, leading to deterioration.

Acids may also be introduced by migration from other materials or may be introduced in the manufacture of certain glues. Look for products with pH (acidity) factors between 7 and 8.5.

Acid-free:  In chemistry, materials that have a pH of 7.0 or higher are acid-free.

Archival quality: Archival quality is a non-technical term that suggests that a material or product is permanent, durable or chemically stable, and that it can therefore safely be used for preservation purposes. Materials with this label have been tested to determine that their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.

Buffered: Even acid-free paper may become acidic over time when exposed to acidic scrapbook memorabilia. Buffered paper reduces this breakdown and is less likely to become acidic. A word of caution: Please be aware that there are differing opinions among the experts on buffering and its desirability

Chemical stability:  The ability of certain chemical bonds to resist changes in their composition when exposed to other chemicals. Paper and photographs which are chemically stable are more resistant to deterioration. Materials which are chemically stable are not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically. This is a desirable characteristic for materials used in preservation since it suggests an ability to resist chemical degradation

Crop: Cutting the photo down to remove unwanted portions of it.

Layout: The arrangement of items on your scrapbook page.

Lignin-free: A component of the cell walls of plants that occurs naturally, along with cellulose. Lignin causes paper to yellow and become brittle when exposed to ultraviolet light. Most paper, other than newsprint, is lignin-free.

Mylar:  Mylar (polyester) 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 - Permanent paper is paper that is compliant with the Permanent Paper Standard ANSI Z39.48-1984 (Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials), a standard created by a committee composed of the federal government and the paper industry. 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.

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.

Photo-safe: This term is similar to archival quality but more specific to the materials used with photos. It means the item is both acid- and lignin-free. However, there is no regulation of the term by a legally enforceable standard.

Preservation:   Activities associated with maintaining library, archival, or museum materials for use, either in their original physical form or in some other format.

The biggest danger to your photos is their environment. Scrapbooks need to be in a stable environment. Temperature and humidity affect photographs and documents more than any other element. Best conditions are under 70 degree F with the relative humidity under 50%. A closet in the interior of your house is often the best place to store your albums if they are otherwise exposed to fluctuating temperatures or extreme humidity.

Should everything in my scrapbook be "safe"? This is a tricky question, because there is no right answer. The safer that your album is the longer your photos will last. However, there is no way quantify how much faster your photos will age if you use a few “un-safe” items or if the album utilize “un-safe” material. The best advice is to seek out the safest supplies that you can afford.