Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are archival safe sleeves?
Archival safe sleeves are made of crystal clear Archival Polyester L-Sleeves. They are designed to protect various items such as documents, photos, letters, manuscripts, maps, prints, posters, comic books, and certificates from pollutants, fingerprints, and dust.
2. Are plastic sleeves acid-free?
While many plastic sleeves are labeled as 'acid-free,' it is more important to look for sleeves that are 'PVC Free.' PVC sleeves are less likely to cause short-term damage to your items, such as cards.
3. Does photo safe mean acid-free?
No, 'acid-free' does not necessarily mean 'photo-safe.' Photographic collections require higher quality paper and materials. Avoid using 'magnetic' self-adhesive albums as they can cause severe damage to photographs over time.
4. How do you store archival photographs?
Archival photographs should be stored flat in drop-front boxes of archival quality. Use acid-free, lignin-free file folders to organize photographs within the box. This helps protect them from damage and deterioration.
5. What are archival sleeves made of?
Archival sleeves are made from 3 mil polyester material. They are folded on one side to create enclosures that provide archival quality protection for your items.
6. What material should you keep in archives?
Archives can hold various types of materials, including manuscripts, letters, photographs, moving image and sound materials, artwork, books, diaries, artifacts, and their digital equivalents. The material can be in any format, and preservation is key in archival storage.
7. Are polypropylene sleeves acid-free?
Polypropylene (PP) sleeves are considered archival safe. They are chemically stable and as close to pH neutral as possible for plastic. They also do not contain any plasticizers.
8. Are popcorn sleeves acid-free?
Popcorn sleeves, produced by a South Korean brand, are clear 'hard' sleeves that are acid/PVC free. They are stiff and provide protection for photocards and similar items.
9. How should I store 30 years of photos?
For storing a large collection of photos spanning 30 years, options like photo storage boxes, photo books, or scrapbooks can work well. Chronological sorting can help organize them. Glassine envelopes are also a good option for individual photo protection.
10. Is it better to store photographs in cardboard or plastic boxes?
It is generally safer to use time-tested paper boxes for storing photographs. Clear plastic boxes advertised as acid-free may interact with photographs over time in unknown ways. Paper boxes provide a more reliable option for long-term preservation.