Acid free paper

Professional archivists and people from the legal profession need to keep documents as long as possible. One of the techniques they use it to keep everything away from acid. Acid in paper and ink and storage boxes attacks documents, weakening the structure of the paper, causing yellowing and fragility.

Older papers were made from materials such as linen and hemp, and so are naturally alkaline. or acid free, therefore lasting hundreds of years. 20th century paper and modern paper is usually made from wood pulp, which is acidic and does not last.

For the family historian, acid free paper is essential for the safe long term storage of research notes and documents. But acid free paper it is very difficult to get hold of - family history specialists stock some but is not easily found in general stationers.

When your research has taken so long to uncover all of this valuable information in your family history why then record it on standard paper that will fade in time?

We stock three types of acid free paper

White A4 archival quality acid free paper

For notes, printed or handwritten, family tree charts, print outs and general use.

• Pack of 25 sheets white A4 acid free paper £1.80

MORE DETAILS    

• Pack of 100 sheets white A4 acid free paper £6.50

MORE DETAILS

Cream vellum A4 archival quality acid free paper

For notes, printed or handwritten, family tree charts, print outs and general use.

• Pack of 25 sheets £2.50

MORE DETAILS    

BMD colours A4 archival quality acid free paper

For copying and colour coding birth, marriage and death certificates for you working file. Use the copy - keep the original safely in an acid free certificate pocket in your certificate binder.

• Pack of 30 sheets, 10 pink, 10 green and 10 grey £3.00

MORE DETAILS       

Why acid free?

Paper and ink that are acidic are prone to deteriorate over time. If you want your records to last, you need to think acid free.

 Archival storage

Zebra pens

Millenium pens

Acid free paper

Acid free glue

Certificate storage

Acid free pens and acid free ink

To keep your written records from deteriorating, only use acid free pens as these will leave ink that lasts as long as the paper.

If you buy inkjet printer ink with a branded name, these are usually acid free, but check with the supplier or manufacturer of your cartridges.

Remember also not to store notes in ordinary polypockets - these are not acid free.

More about acid free paper

The acid content in paper determines it's life expectancy. The acid content is measured on a pH scale:

• pH 3-6         very acidic with a short life expectancy
• pH 7           neutral and classed as acid free - lasts 200 years
• pH 14         alkaline with a very long life expectancy - 500 years or more

Acid free paper (pH 7.0 and above) has a high degree of durability and permanence and will last for up to 200 years under normal use and storage conditions. It will not discolour or become brittle with normal handling.

Our acid and alkaline free paper (neutral pH) is suitable for use in both laser and inkjet printers. Also use it for copying, writing and drawing up your family trees or recording any of your important ancestral information.